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Barry Nelson (1920-2007)

The first actor to play James Bond onscreen passes away

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...7041301701.html

Actor Barry Nelson Dies at 89

By GREG RISLING
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

LOS ANGELES -- Barry Nelson, an MGM contract player during the 1940s who later had a prolific theater career and was the first actor to play James Bond on screen, has died. He was 89.

Nelson died on April 7 while traveling in Bucks County, Pa., his wife, Nansi Nelson, said Friday. The cause of death was not immediately known, she said.

After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1941, Nelson was signed to MGM after being spotted by a talent scout. He appeared in a number of films for the studio in 1942, including "Shadow of the Thin Man," "Johnny Eager" and "Dr. Kildare's Victory." He also landed the leading role in "A Yank on the Burma Road," playing a cab driver who decides to lead a convoy of trucks for the Chinese government.

Nelson entered the Army during World War II and went on the road with other actors performing the wartime play "Winged Victory," which was later made into a movie starring Red Buttons, George Reeves and Nelson.

After the war, Nelson starred in a string of movies, including "Undercover Maisie," "Time to Kill" and "Tenth Avenue Angel."

He is the answer to the trivia question: Who was the first actor to play James Bond? Before Sean Connery was tapped to play the British agent on the big screen in 1962's "Dr. No," Nelson played Bond in a one-hour TV adaptation of "Casino Royale" in 1954.

Nelson switched to the stage during the 1960s and 1970s, appearing on Broadway in "Seascape" "Mary, Mary" and "Cactus Flower." He earned a Tony nomination in 1978 for his role in "The Act," which also starred Liza Minnelli.

"He was a very naturalistic, believable actor," said his agent, Francis Delduca. "He was good at both comedy and the serious stuff."

Among his other film credits were "Airport" and "The Shining," and he also appeared on such TV shows as "Murder, She Wrote," "Dallas" and "Magnum P.I."

More recently, Nelson and his second wife (they married in 1992) spent a lot of time traveling. He planned to write a couple of books about his time on stage and in Hollywood.

Nelson is survived by his wife. He did not have any children from either marriage.

Funeral arrangements were pending.

RIP Barry

89? So I guess he fudged his age.

Sorry to hear this. The original Casino Royale was a very creditable adaptation of the Fleming novel, and Nelson portrayed an American Bond very well. RIP, 007.

Rest in Peace, Jimmy.

I love that adaptation of CR. Nelson did a decent job, and will always be remembered for it. RIP Card Sharp!

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111796309...yid=13&cs=1

Barry Nelson, Actor, 89
MGM star was the first Bond in TV's 'Casino'
By VARIETY STAFF

Barry Nelson, an MGM contract player during the 1940s who later had a prolific theater career and was the first actor to play James Bond on screen, died April 7 in Bucks County, Pa. He was 89.

After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1941, Nelson was spotted by a talent scout and signed to MGM. He appeared in a number of films for the studio in 1942, including "Shadow of the Thin Man," "Johnny Eager" and "Dr. Kildare's Victory." He also landed the leading role in "A Yank on the Burma Road," playing a cab driver who decides to lead a convoy of trucks for the Chinese government.

Nelson entered the Army during World War II and went on the road with other actors performing the wartime play "Winged Victory," which was later made into a movie starring Red Buttons, George Reeves and Nelson.

After the war, Nelson starred in a string of movies, including "Undercover Maisie," "Time to Kill" and "Tenth Avenue Angel."

He is the answer to the trivia question: Who was the first actor to play James Bond? Before Sean Connery was tapped to play the British agent on the big screen in 1962's "Dr. No," Nelson played Bond in a one-hour TV adaptation of "Casino Royale" in 1954.

Nelson switched to the stage during the 1960s and 1970s, appearing on Broadway in "Seascape" "Mary, Mary" and "Cactus Flower." He earned a Tony nomination in 1978 for his role in "The Act," which also starred Liza Minnelli.

"He was a very naturalistic, believable actor," said his agent, Francis Delduca. "He was good at both comedy and the serious stuff."

Among his other film credits were "Airport" and "The Shining," and he also appeared on such TV shows as "Murder, She Wrote," "Dallas" and "Magnum P.I."

Nelson is survived by his wife, Nansi.

Now on the CBn main page...

Barry Nelson (1920-2007)

The first actor to play James Bond onscreen passes away

How tragic. The screen loses its second James Bond.

R.I.P. Barry. You'll be remembered for years to come.

RIP

And Nelson was the first person to portray Bond on screen. It would be 9 years later that Dr. No was released.

Rest in peace Barry Nelson, cinema's original Bond! In a faithful adaptation of the novel.
It would've been great to have him play Bond for a couple more Bond stories.

RIP, Barry!

I'll still watch your movie over and over just like always :-)

Nelson was a true screen legend, one of the few living guys from the glory days of classic movies. He was quite a good actor and it is sad to see him go.

RIP Barry Nelson.

He did a great job as Bond considering he was the first to portray the character on screen.

RIP Mr. Nelson, ake Mr. Bond.