Frank Nelson: Yeeeessss!

[Wild Root]

One of the greatest caricature actors who played many a roll on the Jack Benny program such as, the magazine sales man at Union Station, a department store floor walker, and a layer, he also played many rolls on I Love Lucy such as the game show host “Freddy Fillmore” a police chief, a train conductor, Ralph Ramsey and a talent scout. He’s been in so many TV shows and has been known right off the bat on radio by his drawn out Yeeaaassss! The man possessed a gift for polite sarcasm! He could insult you wile smiling and with out using vulgarity. Some of the best “One liners” came from Frank Nelson! With his well groomed appearance and a small mustache, he sure made a name for himself.

Funny thing is, most of us know who he was, we all know him from I Love Lucy and even some bits on SNL but, the number of those who know his real name are limited. I recall talking and laughing about some of the skits he was in, then I’d ask: What was his name? All I got was: Umm, uh, I don’t know, I knew it but, can’t recall!

Well, after a little research on the net, I found him!

Long live Frank Nelson!

=WR=

 

[Wild Root]

Ok, so I'm the only Fred Nelson fan here or what?[huh]

=WR=

 

[jdjs]

Me too

Hi WR

Count me in as a fan. I too was one of those who remembered him (from both Jack Benny, Abbott and Costello and Lucy). Even now, there are still caricatures in the least likely place (the Simpsons and Garfield!). How I finally found the name years ago was through a Mark Evanier article in his POV column (you can read it here http://povonline.com/cols/COL053.htm , although you probably have already). I especially like the last two stories - it shows that there is still some respect for archtypical icons.

JD

 

[LizzieMaine]

I've always admired Frank Nelson not just for his talent, but for what he did behind the scenes -- back in 1937 he was one of the founding members of the American Federation of Radio Artists, and did an awful lot to make radio a profession in which one could make a decent living. He was one of the stalwarts of the business.

I also remember him turning up on "Sanford and Son" in the early-mid '70s -- still paying the "YEEEEEEEEES?" guy, and driving Redd Foxx as crazy as he used to drive Jack Benny. Priceless stuff.

 

[Wild Root]

YEeeeeeeeeaSSSSSSS!

I saw a few of those Sanford and Son's episodes! It was great how he just kept acting!

I heard some great things about him, he seemed to be a good person and he really enjoyed acting crazy on radio. He once said: You could act like that on radio because no one could see who you were! lol I sure would have loved to meet Frank, I'm sure we'd have been good friends.

=WR=

 

[jake_fink]

I'm also a fan of the man and his YEEeeeeEESS. He was on a commercial when my brother and I were pups... maybe for McDonalds. We then used the YEEeeeEESS to drive each other crazy. Try it some time. Whatever somebody says to you, reply with, YYYEEEeeeEEESS.

Be prepared for violence.

 

[Wild Root]

Hahahahah! I've answered my personal phone that way.... some laugh and some are scared! I think I need to come up with a Frank Nelson message greeting for my phone! It would sound something like this.... YEEeeeESSS, may I take your message? Oh, why not? Did you just call him to tell him his refrigerator is running? Ooooooooooh, well, in that case, you may want to check yours as well! I hear GE's run faster then Hot Point's! lol

=WR=

 

[The Wolf]

oh, him

I didn't realize he had a name. I thought he was just that YeeEESS Guy.lol
I knew him originally from Lucy then backward to Jack Benny.
He is one of those character actors that has been copied so often a lot of people don't know the original. Like Frank McHugh and others that were used in warner Brothers cartoons.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

[Doh!]

I don't remember his "Sanford and Son" work but sure loved his "Lucy" and "Jack Benny" appearance. In addition to "YEEEeeeeSSS!" I remember how wonderfully sarcastic he could be. I wish I knew how to make one of those soundboards as a tribute...

 

[ChiTownScion]

I love the fact that a whole new generation of kids is exposed to Frank Nelson, even if it's his cartoon incarnation ("the Yes Guy") on the Simpsons. My son, who got exposed to old time radio at an early age and knew all about the Jack Benny Show and Frank, "got the joke" when other kids in 3rd grade didn't: I think that was an epiphany for him.

 

[LizzieMaine]

A Frank Nelson character also makes frequent appearances in the current-day version of the "Gasoline Alley" comic strip. Whenever poor doddering 94-year-old Skeezix goes to any store to buy any product, guess who waits on him?

 

[ChiTownScion]

A Frank Nelson character also makes frequent appearances in the current-day version of the "Gasoline Alley" comic strip. Whenever poor doddering 94-year-old Skeezix goes to any store to buy any product, guess who waits on him?

View attachment 33756

Wow.... that isn't even subtle.

 

[ChiTownScion]

As to the real Frank Nelson......

When we were first married my wife and I joined the 20th Century Railroad Club in Chicago. About a year or so prior, they ran a "Jack Benny Special" excursion to Waukegan. Visits were made to a school named after Jack where films of the old show and such wee shown. Guest of honor was none other than Frank Nelson. Wish I'd gone on that trip: by all accounts he was a great guy- very approachable and friendly.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

It seems that he was also quite active in the 70s and 80s doing voices for the Saturday morning cartoons.