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Harmon Nelson(1907-1975)

  • Actor
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr. was a musician best known for being the legendary inspiration for Bette Davis' claimed nicknaming of the Academy Award statuette "Oscar," although the story likely is apocryphal as his nickname was "Ham." Davis' high school sweetheart, Ham (or "Oscar") Harmon married Bette on August 18, 1932. They divorced seven years later.

He was one of four ex-husbands of Davis, all of whom were gentiles. Davis friend Joan Blondell, then married to Mike Todd, a Jew, nicknamed them "The Four Skins."
BornJuly 5, 1907
DiedSeptember 28, 1975(68)
BornJuly 5, 1907
DiedSeptember 28, 1975(68)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
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Actor



  • A Day at Santa Anita (1937)
    A Day at Santa Anita
    4.9
    Short
    • Harmon Nelson (uncredited)
    • 1937

Personal details

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  • Born
    • July 5, 1907
    • Massachusetts, USA
  • Died
    • September 28, 1975
    • Los Angeles, California, USA
  • Spouses
      Anne NelsonNovember 4, 1946 - September 28, 1975 (his death, 3 children)

Did you know

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  • Trivia
    He and first wife Bette Davis were childhood sweethearts. She claimed to have given the Academy Award the nickname "Oscar" after his middle name.
  • Nicknames
    • Oscar
    • Ham

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