Colon Cancer Claims Actor David Nelson at 74

David Nelson was 74 when he died in his Los Angeles home after a protracted battle with intestinal cancer. Approximately 142,570 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer annually, which claims close to 51,370 nationwide each year, according to 2010 statistics from the American Cancer Society.

What other celebrities have had colon cancer?

Colorectal cancer has afflicted many popular and well-known figures, including Corazon Aquino, Babe Didrickson, Farrah Fawcett, John Forsythe, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Eartha Kitt, Sharon Osborne, Ronald Reagan, Charles Schultz, Joel Siegel, Tony Snow, Darryl Strawberry and more.

Caught early, colon cancer can be treated in many cases. Unfortunately, late-stage colorectal malignancies may be fatal.

Who was David Nelson?

Honored in 1996 with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, David Oswald Nelson starred in several motion pictures. His film appearances included ''30,'' ''The Big Circus," 'The Big Show," "Cry-Baby," 'Day of the Outlaw," "Hondo," "Love and Kisses," "Peyton Place," ''The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker,""Smash-Up on Interstate 5" and "Swing Out, Sweet Land."

Born in New York City and raised in Los Angeles, actor David Nelson was perhaps best remembered for his television role as the older brother on "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet," appearing with his real-life family: actor and bandleader Ozzie Nelson, singer Harriet Hilliard Nelson and rock-and-roll singer and actor Ricky Nelson. The nostalgic family sitcom, aired during the era of black-and-white television, lasted for 320 episodes.

The Nelson family home is still part of Hollywood star houses bus tours.

David Nelson's other television work included roles on "A Family for Joe," ''High School USA," 'The Love Boat" and "Up In Smoke." He also directed such programs as "Goodnight, Beantown," "Last Plane Out," "Ozzie's Girls" and "A Rare Breed" - in addition to several episodes of "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet."

The last surviving member of his real-life and television family, David Nelson was the older brother of Ricky Nelson ("Hello, Mary Lou") , a popular singer in the 1960s. Ricky Nelson was killed in a tragic airplane crash on New Year's Eve, December 31, 1985, near Dallas, Texas, along with his fiancée and several members of his band.

David Nelson was uncle to actress Tracy Nelson ("The Father Dowling Mysteries"), musician Sam Nelson and twin singers Gunnar Nelson and Matthew Nelson (of the pop group known as Nelson).

A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, January 13, 2011, at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Mortuary, located in Los Angeles, California.

Surviving the late actor David Nelson are his wife Yvonne O'Connor Huston Nelson and his adult children (two sons, two stepsons and one stepdaughter), as well as seven grandchildren. David Nelson was previously married to actress, model and "Playboy" Playmate Margaret June Blair (from 1961 to 1975).

"We will all miss Uncle Dave's laughter and evolved sense of humor," David Nelson's nephew and pop singer Gunnar Nelson was quoted as saying.