Kenneth Nelson, Rita Gardner This Was Just Another Day, Seventeen (musical) 1951

As a performer Nelson will be remembered for his darkeyed, vital, faunlike charm and his sympathetic, openvowelled, oldworld American Nelson embraced his adopted country wholeheartedly: creating country gardens, and appreciating animals and interior design. During his last, dreadfully debilitating illness he never lost this enthusiasm, still sharing gossip and theatre memories with close ones. Despite his painfully wasted appearance, visiting him was not in any way distressing. As popular with the hospital nursing staff as he had been with colleagues, he brought an almost backstage atmosphere to his room. Eyes lighting up his characteristic wide smile, he showed a most unegotistical eagerness for news from outside. He was a warmhearted, cultivated companion and an exceptional actor. He had a style and finesse not often found on today s stage but he was by no means oldfashioned in approaching the avantgarde.