Gene Nelson

Birth Name: Leander Eugene Berg

Date of Birth: March 24, 1920

Place of Birth: Astoria, Oregon, U.S.

Date of Death: September 16, 1996

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity:
*father – Swedish
*mother – Norwegian

Gene Nelson was an American actor, dancer, screenwriter, and director. He directed the films Hand of Death, Hootenanny Hoot, Your Cheatin’ Heart, Kissin’ Cousins, which he co-wrote; Harum Scarum, and The Cool Ones, which he also co-wrote; the made-for-tv movies Wake Me When the War Is Over and The Letters (1973), which he co-directed; and episodes of the series The Rifleman and I Dream of Jeannie. He was also known as Gene Berg and Eugene E. Nelson.

He was the son of Lenore Christine and Leander Esaias Berg. His father was Swedish. His maternal grandparents were Norwegian. He was raised in Seattle, Washington, and then Santa Monica, California. Gene had one child with his former wife, choreographer, dancer, and actress Miriam Nelson; and two children with his former wife Marilyn Morgen.

Gene’s paternal grandfather was named Carl Johan Berg. Carl was born in Misterhult, Kalmar.

Gene’s paternal grandmother was Anna Sophia Olsdotter (the daughter of Olaf Olsson and Anna Sophia Gustafsdotter). Gene’s grandmother Anna was born in Lännäs, Örebro. Olaf was born in Vinön, Örebro, the son of Olof Olsson and Ingrid Pehrsdotter. Gene’s great-grandmother Anna was born in Ekeby, Örebro, the daughter of Gustaf Gadd and Catharina Jansdotter.

Gene’s maternal grandfather was named John Olof Nelson.

Gene’s maternal grandmother was Ingeborg Bakke (the daughter of Ole Eriksen Bakke and Taletta Thime). Ole was born in Bakka i Suldal, Rogaland, the son of Erik Olsen Bakka and Anna Holgersdatter Tangen.

Source: Genealogy of Gene Nelson – https://www.familysearch.org