James Nelson was born on December 15, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, as the middle child of James and Winifred Nelson. His early life was marked by a fascination with ventriloquism, which began when his Aunt Margaret gave him his first "dummy" as a birthday gift in 1938. The gift, won as a bingo prize, was a wooden figure named Dummy Dan/Danny Dum, which Nelson's father modified for better movement.
As Nelson grew older, he continued to work with his ventriloquist dummy, using it as a tool to develop his skills and entertain his friends and family. In 1945, he asked Frank Marshall to construct a new Danny, which Marshall did, creating a figure that was more lifelike and detailed than the original.
Nelson's career as a ventriloquist began to take off in the late 1940s, when he started performing with his dummy, Danny O'Day, on local television shows and in clubs. In 1947, he married his high school sweetheart, Margot Humphries, in Buffalo, New York.
As his career continued to flourish, Nelson began to incorporate new characters into his act, including a dog named Farfel, which he named after an item on a hotel menu. He also started to host his own television show, "Hollard's Happy House," on WGN-TV in Chicago.
In 1950, Nelson and Danny O'Day made their debut on the Ed Sullivan Show, where they were a huge success with the audience and the host. The same year, Nelson joined the troupe on Milton Berle's "Texaco Star Theater," where he performed alongside his new character, Farfel.
The year 1951 marked the end of Nelson's first marriage, and he went on to marry the pretty girl singer, Betty Norman, who worked as his supporting act. The couple had three sons together, and Nelson continued to perform with Danny O'Day and Farfel, becoming one of the most well-known ventriloquists in America.
Throughout his career, Nelson was known for his skill as a ventriloquist and his ability to bring his characters to life. He was also known for his kindness and generosity, and was beloved by his fans and colleagues alike.
In his later years, Nelson continued to perform and entertain, and he was honored with numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the world of ventriloquism. He passed away on November 14, 2011, at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and joy that will be remembered for generations to come.
