When Ozzie and Harriet started performing together, it was obvious that their blended personalities were the perfect match for each other on stage. Harriet was energetic and clever. Ozzie, on the other hand, was cool and laid-back. Their chemistry on stage was obvious to anybody who came to watch them.
However, their on-stage relationship wasn’t the only budding relationship. Off the stage, the two couldn’t deny their feelings for one another. In 1935, three years after Ozzie hired Harriet to sing in his band, they decided to make their relationship as official as it gets. By the 1950s, they were undeniably America’s perfect fantasy couple.
Harriet Nelson
Harriet Nelson was born as Peggy Lou Snyder in Des Moines, Iowa. Born into a theatrical family, she made her acting debut at the ripe age of three when she first appeared on the vaudeville stage. By her teenage years, the actress was already appearing on Broadway and spending time with a crowd much older than her. This led her to the New York City club scene where she picked up smoking at age 13 and dropped out of high school.
After leaving school, she joined the Corps de Ballet at the Capitol Theater. She later danced in the Harry Carroll Revue as well as worked as a straight woman for comedians Ken Murray and Bert Lahr. Shortly after this gig, she would join Ozzie's band and help bring nationwide success to their band. The two would eventually tie the knot three years later. But, Ozzie wasn't Harriet's first rodeo.
Harriet Was Already In Love
When Harriet met Ozzie, she was still legally married. During her time dancing at the Cotton Club, Harriet (who was then still known as Peggy Lou) was married to a comedian named Roy Sedley. the pair married in 1930. Harriet was only 21 at the time, with Roy 9 years her senior.
Harriet soon saw that hanging around an older crowd wasn't all just fun, games, and clubbing. Roy was reportedly abusive towards Harriet during their entire marriage. After one year of a lousy marriage, the two separated. In 1933, the pair divorced. While these were probably some dark days for Harriet, she was lucky to meet Ozzie and have her entire life turn around. As they say, the rest is history.
Success on the Silver Screen
Ozzie Nelson and his band proceeded to appear in several feature films and short subjects in the 40s, adding their glamour to the big screen in such musicals like Sweetheart of the Campus, Strictly in the Groove, Take It Big and Honeymoon Lodge . They also had appearances as independent characters, like in Hi, Good Lookin.' Despite their performances on the silver screen, they are most known for their broadcasting initiatives.
In the 1940s, Ozzie started to look for a way to spend more time with his family, especially with his young sons. He and Harriet became regular guests on the legendary, The Red Skelton Show, an American comedy and variety show which was hosted by entertainer Richard Bernard “Red” Skelton. This would set the foundation for the couple to later have their own show, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, which Ozzie developed and produced by himself.
The Red Skelton Show
Ozzie and Harriet got their start on radio before the Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet was born. They made their debut on The Red Skelton Show. The American variety show was hosted by entertainer Red Skelton. It was an iconic radio and television show during its time.
Ozzie and Harriet quickly became the voice of the radio program. Skelton at the time was working hard to get his show on color T.V screen during its running. The regular appearances made by the Nelsons on the show provided a perfect foundation for them to get started with their own radio show.