Emmy Award Winners: 1 actor
(actor) Craig T. Nelson   1992   Coach  
Fictional Characters from Television: 1 character
Alice Nelson   1969; 1990   The Brady Bunch; The Bradys  
Hall-of-Famers: 1 basketball
(basketball) Don Nelson   2012  
Notable Actors and Entertainers: 9 actors
Ozzie Nelson   1906-1975  
Harriet Nelson   1909-1994  
Gene Nelson   1920-1996  
Craig T. Nelson   1944-  
Brenda Benet (a.k.a. Nelson)   1945-1982  
Judd Nelson   1959-  
Tracy Nelson   1963-  
Tim Blake Nelson   1964-  
Kirsten Nelson   1970-  
Notable Athletes: 1 football, 1 golf
(golf) Byron Nelson   1912-2006  
(football) Jordy Nelson   1985-  
Notable Filmmakers: 1 director, 1 screenwriter
Gene Nelson   1920-1996  
Bob Nelson   1956-  
Notable Military Figures: 1 admiral
Horatio Nelson   1758-1805  
Notable Musicians: 4 musicians, 1 singer
Lucille Hegamin (a.k.a. Nelson)   1894-1970  
Ozzie Nelson   1906-1975  
Willie Nelson   1933-  
Ricky Nelson   1940-1985  
Prince (a.k.a. Nelson)   1958-2016  
Notable Writers: 1 author/poet
Alice Dunbar Nelson   1875-1935  
Olympic Medalists: 3 silver, 2 gold, 1 gold/silver, 1 silver/bronze/gold
(silver) Frank Nelson   1912   pole vault  
(gold) Marjorie Jackson-Nelson   1952   100 m; 200 m  
(silver/bronze/gold) John Nelson   1964; 1968   swimming - 1500 m freestyle; swimming - 200 m freestyle; swimming - 4x200 m freestyle relay  
(silver) Adam Nelson   2000; 2004   shot put  
(silver) Lianne Nelson   2004   rowing  
(gold/silver) Dawn Harper-Nelson   2008; 2012   100 m hurdles  
(gold) Lars Nelson   2014   cross-country skiing  
Other Religious Leaders: 1 leader
Russell M. Nelson   2018-   The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  
Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famers: 6 musicians
Ricky Nelson   1987     
Billy "Bass" Nelson   1997   Parliament-Funkadelic  
Nate Nelson   2001   The Flamingos  
Prince (a.k.a. Nelson)   2004     
Albert King (a.k.a. Nelson)   2013     
Willie Nelson   2023     
Saints: 1 blessed
Blessed John Nelson   1534-1578