Gene Nelson was an American actor, dancer, screenwriter, and director. He spent three years touring with the Sonja Henie Ice Show before serving in the Army. After the war, Nelson transitioned to Broadway and then to movies. He co-starred with Doris Day in Tea for Two and The West Point Story, and in Lullaby of Broadway. Nelson also appeared in Crime Wave and the 1955 film production of Oklahoma!. Beyond acting, Nelson directed the film Kissin' Cousins and several episodes of The Rifleman series. Nelson passed away in 1996.