June Blairwho was present in the classic television series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, acting roles, among other things, has passed away. The news was first announced by Blair’s niece, Tracy Nelson, with a post on Facebook. In a subsequent report THRBlair’s daughter-in-law, Susan Nelson, revealed that the former actress and model died of natural causes at her home in Sherman Oaks, California. She was 90 years old.
“Dear, beautiful Aunt June Blair Nelson has passed away. God bless James and Dan, I love you,” reads Tracy’s original announcement. “Ps, in case you didn’t know, Aunt June was a bombshell. Ozzie’s PR machine was pretty quiet about it, but she was an actress, model, and Playboy Bunny before she joined the show.”
As a model, Blair had graced the cover of Playboy as the Playmate of the Month for the January 1957 issue. Because of her acting, she is perhaps best known for appearing on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet after marrying series star David Nelson in 1961; Blair was then written into the show as Nelson’s character’s wife. The couple divorced in 1975 after giving birth to two sons, and David passed away after battling cancer in 2011.
June Blair joined David Nelson in his TV series
Blair appeared on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet from 1961 to 1966, although her role as June Nelson was not her first appearance on the popular comedy series. She previously played other characters in 1960 before getting the recurring role. That had also preceded her work in other TV shows, such as Bat Masterson, Hawaiian eye, The Texan, Tombstone area, Sea yachtand The Aquanauts. She also appeared in the 1957 crime drama Hell bound along with other movies including The devil that walked through the west, Lonely Texan, Island of lost women, wizard, and fever in the blood.
THR notes that she maintained her independence after joining the Nelson family, quoting Blair as saying in a 1963 interview, “I’ve always been an independent girl. I was afraid the Nelsons would try to take me in, so to speak, but they didn’t. As it’s worked out, they’re there when I need them, and they’re not there when I don’t.
Blair’s survivors include both her sons and granddaughter Paige; Susan Nelson said Blair “loved being a grandmother.” Our thoughts are with them along with the rest of the family and friends at this time. Rest in peace, June Blair Nelson.