Ricky Nelson.
That name echoes in the sparkling halls of Hollywood and American pop culture, reminding
us of a time when the small screen was the biggest thing around, and a handsome, crooning
heartthrob could capture the hearts of millions.
In the 1950s, Ricky was the epitome of the American dream, his charisma and talent making
him a household name.
But this story isn't about Ricky; it's about his daughter, Tracy Nelson, who grew up not
only under his star-studded legacy but also under the shadow of the complexities that
come with fame.
At 59, Tracy Nelson has stepped back into the limelight, casting away her silence to
share her extraordinary journey.
Not just as the daughter of an icon, but as a survivor in every sense of the word.
Having faced three battles with cancer, Tracy's strength and determination have proven as
captivating as her beauty.
In this video, we delve deeper into Tracy's life.
We navigate the choppy waters of her childhood, caught in the middle of a bitter custody battle
between her famous parents.
We explore her persistent struggle with cancer and the tragic lost of her father who perished
in a place crash.
Then, we venture into the spiritual, as Tracy recalls a vivid, poignant dream where her
late father visited, urging her to seek medical help, a message she believes saved her life.
Furthermore, we'll reveal the surprising connection between the Nelson family and Mark Harmon,
the star of NCIS.
The Hollywood tapestry is indeed intricately woven, and Tracy's threads are intertwined
in ways that you might not expect.
Stay with us, as we take a rollercoaster ride through Tracy's trials, triumphs, and her
undying belief in a father's love that transcends the boundaries of life itself.
We're not merely chronicling a life lived in the shadow of fame, but celebrating a woman
who has found her unique path despite life's many hurdles.
Through it all, Tracy Nelson remains radiant, resilient, and real - a shining star in her
own right.
Facts Verse Presents: Ricky Nelson's Daughter is All Grown Up, She's 59 Years Old Today
Tracy’s Troubled Childhood Led To An Impressive Career
In the heart of Hollywood, the golden age gave rise to many stars, but few shone as
brightly as Ricky Nelson.
With his soaring music career and acclaimed role in 'The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,'
he was indeed the face of the American dream.
But behind that glamorous facade, his life was as layered and complex as a Hollywood
script.
Christmas 1961 marked the beginning of a crucial chapter in Ricky's life.
He started dating Kris Harmon, daughter of football player Tom Harmon and actress Elyse
Knox.
The Nelsons and the Harmons were old friends, and a union between their children held a
charm that was hard to resist.
Ricky and Kris shared much in common, from their quiet dispositions to their Hollywood
upbringings and high-powered, domineering fathers.
The couple married on April 20, 1963, a union that Ricky would later describe as a 'shotgun
wedding.'
As part of their marriage agreement, Ricky, a non-practicing Protestant, took instruction
in Catholicism at the insistence of Kris's parents.
Furthermore, he agreed to raise any children from their union in the Catholic faith.
The couple had four children, the eldest of whom was Tracy Kristine Nelson.
Born in Santa Monica, California, on October 25, 1963, Tracy was the scion of performers
that went back four generations.
Her great-grandparents were vaudeville performers, and her grandparents starred in the ABC-TV
sitcom 'The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.'
This lineage of entertainers set the stage for Tracy's own foray into the industry.
Tracy's childhood was shaped significantly by the volatile dynamics of her parents' marriage.
By 1975, the union had begun to crumble, spiraling into a very public and contentious divorce
that saw Kris filing for alimony, custody of their four children, and a portion of community
property.
Years of legal wrangling followed their eventual divorce in December 1982.
Amidst the upheaval, Tracy began her career in the entertainment industry, landing her
first role at just three months old on her grandparents' television show.
She continued to appear in various roles throughout her childhood, most notably playing one of
Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball's daughters in 'Yours, Mine and Ours' at the tender age of
four.
Graduating from the Westlake School for Girls in 1981, Tracy had not only inherited the
performance genes from her star-studded lineage but also had nurtured them with dedication.
She attended Bard College in upstate New York, studying Dance and European History, and studied
ballet intensively for 17 years.
Tracy carved her niche in Hollywood, not just as the daughter of a legendary musician and
actor, but as a versatile artist in her own right.
She made a significant mark in television, co-starring in 'The Father Dowling Mysteries'
and being a regular on 'A League of Their Own' and 'The Man From Snowy River'.
She also guest-starred in numerous popular television series of the 80s and 90s, including
'Family Ties,' 'Murphy Brown,' 'The Nanny,' 'Melrose Place,' and 'Seinfeld.'
In the realm of theatre, Tracy shone as 'Rizzo' in 'Grease' during its 1995 Broadway run.
Her contributions to the big screen were equally impressive, with roles in several theatrical
releases and over 20 television movies, including 'The Perfect Nanny' and 'The Rival'.
Beyond her acting and dancing career, Tracy also turned to writing, penning a book about
her personal experiences and a movie script about her family, "The Nelsons."
Thus, Tracy Nelson, emerging from the tumultuous vortex of her childhood and her parents' high-profile
divorce, crafted a successful and distinguished career in entertainment, proving that she
was more than just the daughter of Ricky Nelson.
She was, and remains, a talented and enduring artist in her own right.
But beyond her professional clout, Tracy is also rather remarkable for being a triumphant
symbol of survival – as she has survived cancer not once, but three times!
But Before we address that inspiring feat, let's take a moment to reflect on another
heartbreaking chapter of Tracy's life that no doubt shaped who she was and who she went
on to become.
Losing Her Father And Her Cancer Battles
In 1985, when Tracy was just 21, her life was upended by the tragic loss of her father,
Ricky, in a plane crash.
The shock and grief were compounded by circulating rumors regarding the cause of the crash, which
were later discredited by the Federal Aviation Administration.
It was eventually confirmed that a faulty heating system on the plane was to blame.
This period of trauma and uncertainty led Tracy to battle with her own health and wellbeing,
believing her father's death to be the root cause of her illness.
Ricky's death also sparked a family dispute over the custody of Tracy's youngest brother,
Sam, who was 13 at the time.
With concerns over their mother's emotional stability, Tracy, her siblings, and her uncle
Mark Harmon, renowned for his prominent role on NCIS, were drawn into another bitter custody
battle.
The case was eventually won by Tracy's mother, Kris, despite initial resistance from Mark.
This event created a strain in the family, particularly between Tracy and Mark.
Thankfully, they managed to mend their relationship over time.
As Tracy grappled with her father's untimely death and the family feud, she began to feel
unwell.
Even on her wedding day in 1987 to actor William R. Moses, Tracy suspected something was not
right.
Her symptoms escalated during her time working on the show "Father Dowling Mysteries," including
extreme fatigue and unexplained swelling.
As she later revealed in various interviews, a strange dream where her father encouraged
her to see a doctor led Tracy to seek medical help.
Her instincts proved correct when she was diagnosed with cancer that was attacking her
lymph nodes and spleen.
The news was devastating, prompting Tracy and her husband to reflect on their respective
family histories with cancer.
Despite the emotional turmoil, Tracy pressed on, supported by her family during a grueling
seven-hour surgery, which involved the removal of her spleen, a portion of her liver, and
samples of her lymph nodes.
The cancer was fortunately caught early, but the following treatment took a significant
toll on Tracy's health.
She underwent four months of chemotherapy and 25 rounds of radiation, which brought
her weight down to 87 lbs and caused her to lose all her hair.
During this arduous journey, she considered taking her life but found a burst of energy
that inspired her to keep fighting.
She chose to embrace her changed appearance, standing up to criticism and focusing on her
health and recovery.
In 1987, Tracy's cancer went into remission, and she and Moses began trying for a baby,
despite some doctors advising her to focus on staying alive.
After two and a half years of trying, they welcomed a healthy daughter, Remington Elizabeth.
The joy of pregnancy and motherhood was a much-needed relief after the taxing and incredibly
traumatic battle with cancer.
However, Tracy's journey was far from over.
She and Moses divorced in 1997, sharing custody of Remington.
Tracy later welcomed a second child, Elijah Nelson Clark, with her boyfriend, Chris Clark,
in 2001.
Tracy, a three-time cancer survivor, continues to inspire many with her resilience and determination.
Her most recent battle was with breast cancer, which she conquered with the same tenacity.
Now, at 59, she's embracing her natural look, proudly sporting her gray hair.
Tracy remains an embodiment of strength and perseverance.
Despite enduring a plethora of trials throughout her life, from her father's tragic death to
her own health struggles, she has emerged victorious.
Today, she continues to thrive and inspire others with her story, proving that life's
toughest challenges can indeed forge the most resilient spirits.
Unfortunately, we've come to the end of this video.
We hope it's been inspiring and eye-opening!
Before you move on to watching another one of our facts-packed videos, we'd love to hear
from you!
Did you know that Tracy Nelson has survived cancer not once but twice and that her uncle
is Mark Harmon of NCIS fame?
Let us know in the comments.
And as always, thanks for watching!