American actor
He had to add the "T" as a middle initial to avoid confusion with the actor, Craig Richard Nelson , who had registered his name first with the Screen Actors Guild.
This strapping American Everyman endeared himself to movie audiences as the besieged patriarch in Poltergeist , his first substantial film role. A former radio performer and stand-up comic whose pals included writer-director Barry Levinson.
Wanted to be a Hydroplane racer before he became an actor. His dad doubted this and said it would be an impossible feat, like becoming an actor.
Loves race car driving.
Attended University of Arizona.
Attended Central Washington University.
Ex-father-in-law of Ashley Jones , who plays "Bridget Forrester" on "The Bold and the Beautiful" .
Is a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Father of Noah Nelson.
Was offered the role of "Jay Pritchett" for the pilot of "Modern Family" , but turned it down.
Was an early member of The Groundlings improv comedy troupe.
Formed a comedy team with Barry Levinson and Rudy De Luca early in his career.
(April 1991) Did some Shedds Spread Country Crock margarine commercials, when not filming "Coach" , for screen work.
His paternal grandfather was of Norwegian descent, and his maternal grandfather was of German ancestry. His other roots are English, Scots-Irish (Northern Irish), and more distant Dutch.
Began his career as a comedian before starting his acting career in 1971.
I really want to drive a Porsche GT1 car - also a McLaren, if I could fit. I want to do LeMans badly. I want to do Spa, a European series with World SportsCars. .
