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Gary Nelson

Gary Nelson

Director, also producer and actor · Died May 25, 2022, aged 87 · Los Angeles, California, USA

An American television and film director. He has directed many well-know television series, including Gunsmoke, The Patty Duke Show, Gilligan's Island and Happy Days among dozens of others. In addition, Nelson has directed five films, including two for Walt Disney Pictures. In 1978, Nelson was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Directoral Achievement for Washington: Behind Closed Doors. He was married to actress Judi Meredith and has two sons. Nelson has semi-retired, but continues to occasionally teach the University of Nevada at Las Vegas Description above from the Wikipedia article Gary Nelson (director), licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.​

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 6, 1934
Died
May 25, 2022 (aged 87)
From
Los Angeles, California, USA
Works as
Director, also producer and actor
Titles
33 on MovieCove · 82 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 38% in 30 days

What are Gary Nelson's films like?

Across their 24 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 61st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
32%
Bonds
22%
Self
17%
Survival
10%
Power
10%
Society
6%
Ideas
3%
Justice9 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themePower3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 22 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 17 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 7 · Charged 13 · Intense 2

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 14 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 15 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 11 · Engaged 11 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 9 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 21 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
15
Warm
9
Joyful
5
Melancholic
6
Contemplative
4
Other
16

How their films linger

Feel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet8
  • Ambiguous2
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Gary Nelson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 19 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Gary Nelson's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

82 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Melanie Darrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Director

  • Early Edition (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 17 episodes · Director

  • Fast Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director

  • Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder(1995)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Ray Alexander: A Taste for Justice(1994)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Fugitive Nights: Danger in the Desert(1993)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Return of Ironside(1993)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Sands of Time(1992)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Revolver (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Director

  • Memories of Midnight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Hit Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director

  • The Lookalike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • The Nutt House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Get Smart, Again!(1989)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Police Story: The Watch Commander(1988)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Police Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Shooter(1988)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Noble House(1988)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Houston Knights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold(1986)

    Director · Finance

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Murder in Three Acts(1986)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Crazy like a Fox (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Baron and the Kid(1984)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • More Than Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director

  • For Love and Honor(1983)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • For Love and Honor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Murder Me, Murder You(1983)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Murder in Coweta County(1983)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Jimmy the Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Director

  • Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • McClain's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Pride of Jesse Hallam(1981)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • The Black Hole(1979)

    Director · as Drone with Mask Removed (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • A Movie Star's Daughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director

  • It's a Mile from Here to Glory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • To Kill a Cop(1978)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • To Kill a Cop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Washington: Behind Closed Doors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

  • Hunter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Freaky Friday(1976)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Panache (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director

  • The Boy Who Talked to Badgers(1975)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Medical Story(1975)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Medical Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Archer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Born Free (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • The Girl on the Late, Late Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director

  • Kojak(1973)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Toma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Faraday and Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Adam's Rib (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • Santee(1973)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Police Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

  • Molly and Lawless John(1972)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Brian Keith Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

  • McMillan & Wife(1971)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • The Partners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 8 episodes · Director

  • The Boy from Dead Man's Bayou (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director

  • Arnie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Nanny and the Professor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 10 episodes · Director

  • Secrets of the Pirate's Inn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director

  • Love, American Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 17 episodes · Director

  • Bracken's World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Courtship of Eddie's Father(1969)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Room 222 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Doris Day Show(1968)

    Show 8 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • The Ghost & Mrs. Muir (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 8 episodes · Director

  • Accidental Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Good Morning World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 11 episodes · Director

  • Captain Nice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 7 episodes · Director

  • Occasional Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Shane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Creator

  • Get Smart(1965)

    Show 138 episodes · Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • O.K. Crackerby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • F Troop(1965)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Gilligan's Island(1964)

    Show 8 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Patty Duke Show(1963)

    Show 13 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • The Andy Griffith Show(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Have Gun, Will Travel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Gunfight at the O.K. Corral(1957)

    Second Assistant Director

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Director

Career shape

A full career of 82 titles from 1955 to 1997.

Biggest box office

The Black Hole (1979)

$36M worldwide

Highest rated

Murder in Coweta County (1983)

Midcredits 87th

Most popular right now

Gilligan's Island (1964)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting1 of 82: 0 only acting, 1 with another roleDirecting81 of 82: 76 only directing, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score53rdProducing2 of 82: 0 only producing, 2 with another roleOther crew3 of 82: 1 only other crew, 2 with another role

82 titles, 5 with more than one role — directing and other crew overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1950s3 · crew1960s19 · crew1970s28 · 1 acting · 28 crew1980s20 · crew1990s12 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Gary Nelson's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 47th percentile, the median of all 23; across their 22 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 47th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Approval · how many liked their films

43rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Reach · how many have seen their films

27thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Midcredits score across 33 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th15
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 33 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · director

For Love and Honor (1983)

92nd percentile spread · 35% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

The Andy Griffith Show (1960)

Midcredits 93rd · 89% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 56/100 and the pacing 43/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Gary Nelson's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 14 · minimalMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 13 · minimalMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 9 · minimalMedian of all films: 33

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Gary Nelson work with?

People who share at least 2 of Gary Nelson's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Donald R. Rode shares the most, 8.

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers