Frank Nelson Collection

Frank Nelson
(1911 – 1986)

It may be the most famous single syllable in comedy:
"eeYeeeeeeaasssssss?"

The catch phrase has been parodied in animation and live action TV countless times on The Daily Show, Three's Company, Disney's Tailspin, and by Mel Blanc in several Looney Tunes shorts. Fox TV's The Simpsons created a whole character just to utter the catchphrase, "the Yes Man", also known as "that jerk who always says eeh-Yeeeaass". The character's official name in "Frank Nelson type", named for the actor who originated the bit on radio's Jack Benny Program.

Frank Nelson got his start in radio at the tender age of 15 at a local station in Denver, Colorado, in 1926. A local bank was presenting a drama about a couple in their thirties, and to his shock, the youngster got the part. Frank later wrote that his wife in the 26-week show was an attractive 32-year-old redhead, but he didn't really understand the role at the time, a case of missed opportunity!

After some more experience in the Denver market, Frank made the move to Hollywood in 1929 where he played leading men in a number of local radio dramas. This was before nationwide programming began originating from Hollywood, Nelson's first coast to coast exposure was with Groucho and Chico Marx in Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel. The show was broadcast from a sound-stage on the RKO lot because the NBC Hollywood Studios had not been built yet.

In 1934, Frank began his 38-year long relationship with the Jack Benny Program, where he created his famous catch phrase. Even though he did not have a recurring character like Rochester, Mary Livingstone, Dennis Day or Phil Harris, whenever the writers needed to set up a situation to get Jack good and exasperated at a waiter, doctor, department store clerk, civil servant or cop, there was Frank with his trademark "eeYeeeaasss??!" Along with Mel Blanc, who filled a similar role on the program, Frank Nelson was one of the actors who could get Jack to crack up during a performance, which was one of the reasons audiences loved him.

In addition to Jack Benny, Frank Nelson's radio credits include Fibber McGee and Molly, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar, Lux Radio Theater (Frank was the announcer for the initial Hollywood broadcast), Shell Chateau, The Great Gildersleeve, Cavalcade of America, One Man's Family, The Hedda Harper Show, Birdseye Open House, The Danny Kaye Show, Command Performance, Mail Call, Hallmark Playhouse and many more.

His fellow actors had more to thank Frank Nelson for than as a foil for their comic antics. Frank was a founding member of the American Federation of Radio Artists, and later the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He was the AFTRA National President from 1954 to 1957 and was instrumental in developing an equitable pension plan for actors.

Frank remained close to his Union brothers even during his long battle with cancer, a battle he lost on September 12, 1986. He was 75 years old.