Biography
Gene Nelson (born Leander Eugene Berg; 1920–1996) was an American actor, dancer, screenwriter and director. He appeared on stage in the Broadway musical Lend an Ear (1948), for which he received a Theatre World Award, and later in Follies (1971), earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. His film acting roles include Will Parker in Oklahoma! (1955).
Nelson directed episodes of the original Star Trek series (1966), including 'The Gamesters of Triskelion', as well as the first season of I Dream of Jeannie (1965) and episodes of The Rifleman, Gunsmoke and other series. He also directed the Elvis Presley films Kissin' Cousins (1964), for which he wrote the screenplay and received a Writers Guild of America nomination, and Harum Scarum (1965).
