June Blair: Her Life, Career and Marriage to David Nelson

Margaret June Blair was born in San Francisco, California on October 20, 1933 (Some sources say 1932).  She became a model and an actress. During the 1950s, June appeared in feature films and in minor and guest-starring roles on television shows.  In 1957, she had a small part in an episode of Bachelor Father entitled "Bentley Versus the Girl Scouts"  (Season 1, Episode 2, Air Date: September 29, 1957).  She also played the role of Anita Callahan in a 1959 episode of the adventure series Hawaiian Eye entitled "Three Tickets to Lani" (Season 1, Episode 8, Air Date, November 25, 1959). She was Playboy magazine's" Playmate of the Month for its January 1957 issue.

In 1957, June became engaged to singer/actor Nino Tempo and was the inspiration for his song, "Looney over Juney."  In 1958, she broke off her engagement to Tempo and began dating Lindsay Crosby, Bing Crosby's son.  Below is a 1958 press photo of Lindsay escorting June to the Coral Casino in Santa Barbara, California, where Bing served as a commentator for a fashion show.

In 1959, gossip columnists began linking June to singer Bobby Darin, so much so that she felt compelled to write a public disclaimer.  In an article that appeared in the August 1960 issue of Movie Mirror magazine, June denied having a romance with Bobby.  She stated categorically that they were just good friends.  She also emphasized that they were not engaged and as far as she was concerned, not in love.  According to June, she and Bobby first met at the State Brothers Club on the Hollywood strip in early 1960.  She had gone there with Nino Tempo and Bobby was accompanied by his agent.  It's interesting to note that Darin married actress Sandra Dee on December 1, 1960.

June Blair's Movie Mirror article is online and if you would like to read it in its entirety, click on the link below.

http://www.bobbydarin.net/bdtruthblair.htmlhttp://www.bobbydarin.net/bdtruthblair.html

June made guest appearances in 1960 episodes of such TV shows as Sea Hunt, M. Squad and The Chevy Mystery Show.  From 1960 to 1961, she played the role of Julie Greer in several episodes of the Western series Two Faces West.  Then came some big changes in her life.

                                                                                                                             
On  on May 20, 1961, June married David Nelson, son of television stars Ozzie and Harriet,  The nuptials took place at  Forest Lawn Cemetery's Church of the Hills and David's younger brother, Ricky Nelson, was the best man.  The couple had two sons, Daniel Blair Nelson (born August 20, 1962) and James Eric Nelson (born June 8, 1966).

June and David Nelson

After her marriage to David Nelson, June joined the cast of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. David's real life wife became his television wife and she remained with the series until it was cancelled in 1966 (She took a one-year sabbatical after the birth of her son, Daniel in in 1962).  Her last appearance on the show was in an episode entitled "Dave's Other Office" (Season 14, Episode 24, Air Date: March 12, 1966). Two more episodes of the series were aired (March 19, 1966 and March 26) in which she did not appear.

June Blair did not continue her acting career when The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet finished its run. Since that time, she has lived a very private life, away from the spotlight.  June is now 83 and it is very difficult to find current information about her.  No recent photographs of her appear to be publicly available.  Sons Daniel and James have also been keeping a low profile and there is very little information about them.

END NOTES

* According to the fan magazines of the 1950s, June was raised in foster homes and suffered abuse in them.

* June and David Nelson divorced in 1975.  That same year, on September 3, 1975, David wed Yvonne O'Connor Huston.  He adopted Yvonne's three children from a previous marriage - two sons named John and Eric and a daughter named Teri.  The marriage lasted until David's death.

* David's stepdaughter, Teri Nelson, was married to game show host Chuck Woolery from 1985 until 2004.

* David Nelson became a successful producer.  He died of colon cancer on January 11, 2011 at the age of 74.  A television writer who interviewed David a few years before death has informed me that according to David, June initiated their divorce and that she strongly disliked the limelight.


- Joanne

EDITOR'S UPDATE (December 11, 2022): June Blair died on December 4, 2022 at her home in Sherman Oaks, California.  She was 89 years old at the time of her passing (Some sources say 90)..  She died of natural causes, according to her daughter-in-law, Susan Nelson.

June is survived by her two sons, Daniel Blair Nelson and James Eric Nelson, her daughter-in-law, Susan, and a granddaughter, Paige.

Y&R Report (March 18, 2017): The Latest on The Young and the Restless

Hey Y&R fans, every second Saturday TV Banter discusses the latest happenings and provides commentary on your favourite daytime drama. Note to U.S. readers - SPOILER ALERT: Here in Canada, I watch the show on Global TV which is one episode ahead of CBS.  I will inevitably refer to incidents you haven't seen yet. Read at your own risk.  If you are the curious type, though, you may prefer to discover some things in advance.

Well fans, Scott Grainger is safe and sound, thanks to The Great Victor Newman, who paid a $10 million ransom.  I find Scott's character interesting because he is a journalist and is somewhat mysterious.  Now that he is beginning to settle down in Genoa City, what comes next for him in terms of career and romance?  

First. let's discuss Scott's career prospects.  At the moment. there are two possibilities.  Phyllis is helping him set up a blog so that he can write about his experience in the Middle East.  The second possibility has been brought to my attention by a regular viewer, Fifi from Collingwood.  Fifi thinks that Victor Newman is going to enlist Scott to help him write his autobiography.  Given that whenever Victor does someone a huge favour, he always asks for something in return, that is quite likely to happen and Scott won't have much choice in the matter.  How can he turn Victor down after "The Moustach"e saved his life?

Now, let's discuss Scott's romantic possibilities. I originally thought that he might be paired with Mariah.  It still may happen. After all, Scott hasn't even been introduced to her yet. However, it seems as if Mariah and Devon are going to make sweet music together.  Hmmm . . . where does that leave Hilary?  She did flirt with Jordan but he is obviously more interested in her sister-in-law, Lily.  I think a desperate Hilary is going to trap Devon into staying with her and that she will soon announce that there's a baby on the way.  

As for Scott, he hasn't met all the available females in Genoa City yet.  There's still Abby and Summer.  Speaking of Summer, she hasn't made an appearance in a long time.  Right now, Scott and Phyllis seem to be hitting it off, despite their age difference.  There could be friction between mother and daughter if Summer likes him too.

Ashley Abbott also seems to be warming up to the idea of starting a romance with the much-younger Ravi.  At the opera, she stood up to Nikki when Nikki made a snide remark about the age difference between Ashley and Ravi.  It appears that Ashley is beginning to fall for Ravi.  She certainly enjoys his company and is considering whether to start a relationship with him.  She has reservations due to their age difference and the fact that she is his boss.


VIEWER FORUM

If you have any comments on Y&R, please email them to me with "Viewer Forum" in the subject line. I will be happy to publish your comments and reply to them  You do not have to use your real name.  
My email address:  jmadden16@yahoo.ca

Here are some comments from Carly in Barrhaven, Ontario:

I  cannot believe the storyline of Jack and Gloria.  So stupid.  

Billy and Victoria are driving me to drink alcohol, what with his sucking up to her and her acting like she is Ms. Perfect in all aspects of her life.  Ughhh!!

I hope you are wrong about Nick and Sharon getting back together but, yes, it looks like it is heading in that direction.

I find the Ravi and Ashley storyline a bit ridiculous.

The Jill storyline:  As I have said before, I watch a soap to be entertained, not to become depressed.  I know there was a point in Jill having a heart attack since heart disease is the #1 killer of women. However, I already know that.  I don't need to be reminded and I don't need it to be included in one of my forms of entertainment.  Cancer storylines are another case in point.


Yes Carly, Jack and Gloria are a ridiculous couple and they are definitely not popular.  So far, every single person who responded to my readers' poll has described the their relationship as "disgusting."

Storylines about heart attacks and cancer can be downers,  It depends on how they're presented or whether you believe that TV programs should be socially responsible.  I can certainly understand how someone who has a family member with cancer would not want to view a storyline about the disease.  I also agree that people who watch soaps want to be entertained, not depressed. That's why the Michael Baldwins's prostate cancer storyline was so unpopular that it was dropped.  It was written in a very negative manner.

However, I do believe the Jill storyline was much less dark and depressing. It also presented information about heart disease among women that not everyone knows.  Some people are not well read or are just not aware of the facts.  Y&R may have saved some lives the Jill storyline.

I rather enjoy watching the interplay between Billy and Victoria.  Billy's has lightened up and he's more likeable.  Victoria is overwhelmed right now between balancing her business career and her three children, especially her teenage son, Reed.  She doesn't have a great track record with men. Her last relationship, with Travis, ended disastrously.  No wonder she's being extremely cautious about getting involved with Billy Boy again.

Fans are divided about a reunion between Nick and Sharon.  As  I've stated before, I can see it coming.  It's doubtful that Nick and Chelsea's romance can survive the revelation that Adam is really Christian's father.  Since head writer Sally Sussman is dedicated to the history of the show, she'd be inclined to reunite Nick and Sharon.

I don't find the Ashley and Ravi storyline ridiculous.  I just wish it would move a bit faster.
There are bound to be more complications and we still don't know much about Ravi.

CAST NEWS

Reports says that Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe Mitchell) is set to leave Y&R

There has been speculation that Elizabeth Hendrickson has been taken off contract.  Now she is reportedly set to exit Y&R later this year.  According to Daytime Confidential, many sources have confirmed that Hendrickson is on her way out.  Her, character, Chloe, returned to Genoa City in 2016 seeking revenge on Adam Newman (Justin Hartley), whom she blamed for the accident that killed her daughter, Delia.  Adam eventually died in a cabin explosion caused by Chloe.  At present, only Victor Newman suspects her of this foul deed.  

Since Sally Sussman became head writer, Hendrickson's screen time has lessened considerably and her storyline has dwindled.  It appears that her character does not figure prominently in Sussman's plans for the show.

So, how would Chloe's exit affect Y&R's plotline?  Presumably she wold face criminal charges.  She would then be sent to prison.or to a hospital for the mentally ill.  Her daughter Bella would need to stay with a relative or guardian.  I really can't envision her grandmother, Esther, taking care of her at the Chancellor estate.  Kevin certainly will be eager to look after Bella and he will probably try to get custody of the child.  However, don't forget that Bella's biological father is most likely Billy.  Will he want to raise the child?  How will that affect his relationship with Princess Victoria Newman since the two seem to be headed toward a reunion.  With two young children and a teenager, how would she feel about adding Bella to the family?

Kevin will be devastated when he learns the truth about Chloe.  Will he then try to seek out Mariah for comfort and a romantic relationship?   

ERIC BRAEDEN'S BOOK SIGNING IN TORONTO

On Friday, March 10, I attended Eric Braeden's book signing at the Indigo bookstore at Sherway Gardens in Etobicoke (in Toronto's westend).  He was promoting his new autobiography I'll Be Damned.  I, of course, purchased a copy of the book and lined up to meet Eric and get it autographed. The bookstore was crowed with throngs of Y&R fans.

Eric was wearing his black leather jacket.  Like Johnny Cash, he is a man in black.  Have you noticed that he never wears bright colours?  His ties are the only exception.  He does wear red and blue and purple ties.

I found Eric to be very personable.  The man has a real presence and he took time to chat briefly with everyone on an individual basis.  That's why the book signing took so long (over two hours). At the beginning of the event, Eric spoke only for a short time.  He said he was still restless, but not so young anymore and he turned political when he cautioned Canadians not to be as gun crazy as Americans. I can tell you that he is definitely not pleased with the current President of the United States.

When it was my turn to meet Eric, I asked him how many languages he spoke.  He told me he is proficient in German, English and Spanish.  He also speaks some French.

Here are some photos of Eric Braeden at the book signing event:

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Tristan Lake Leabu (Reed Hellstrom)

Victoria is having a difficult time dealing with her teenage son, Reed.  She's been extremely strict with him, although  Billy has urged her to loosen the reins.  He has lied to her and used her credit card without her knowledge, but does he deserve her strict punishments?  What do you think? Respond to the poll below.

Do you think Victoria is too strict with her son, Reed?

Yes. She is far too strict. She doesn't give him room to breathe.

She should loosen up a bit, but he does need some boundaries and discipline.

No, he constantly disobeys her and should be disciplined.

I'm not sure.

Other

Please Specify:

Poll Maker

That's all for now.  Don't forget that the next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, April 1, 2017.


- Joanne

You Wanted to Know . . . Do child actors get "royalties?"

A reader asked me if child actors, such as Erin Murphy (Tabitha on Bewitched) receive "royalties." for their work on TV shows. That's a good question and the answer is: Not exactly.  Actors in the United States, as members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), generally receive  "residuals," not  "royalties."

Royalties can be defined as a percentage of the revenues earned on copyrighted works of art. Authors, of course, receive royalties for their books and songwriters earn royalties for their music and lyrics.  Actors, on the other hand, don't normally get paid royalties for television shows they've performed on.   After the original release of a television program or movie, and once the actor has received his or her payment, the actor will continue to be paid in what are called "residuals," provided the product is still generating income. Actors (or their estate) are entitled to a portion of the licencing fee that broadcasters pay each time a program or movie is shown on television.  In others words, the more a series appears in reruns, the more an actor will earn in residuals.

In California, New York, Louisiana and New Mexico, it is mandatory for parents to set up a trust fund for children in the entertainment business.  By law, 15 per cent of child's gross wages must be withheld by the minor's employer and deposited in a trust fund.within 15 days of employment.  This blocked trust account is known as a "Coogan Account."  It is named after a Jackie Coogan, a child actor who rose to fame as Charlie Chaplin's sidekick in The Kid (1921).  He also starred in Oliver Twist (1922) alongside Lou Chaney who played Fagin.  At the height of his popularity, Coogan was the highest paid child star of his era.

Jackie Coogan in The Kid

When he reached adulthood, Jackie experienced a downturn in his career.  It was then that he made a startling discovery. Much to his chagrin, he learned hat his mother and stepfather had spent the money that he had worked for as a child.  He hadn't realized that under California law back then, his earnings belonged to his parents.

Jackie sued his mother and a former manager for his earnings.  As a result, the Coogan Law was enacted in 1939 to provide protection for young actors from being deprived of their income.  The original Coogan Law contained flaws and loopholes.  However, improvements have since been made and loopholes have been closed, thanks to the advocacy of the SAG-AFTRA the Young Performers Committee, the National Policy and Planning Department and other groups in the entertainment industry.  For example, on January 1, 2000, changes in California Law maintained that earnings by children in the entertainment industry are the possession of the child, not the parents. The concept of mandatory trust funds or "Coogan Accounts" was established at that time.  It is now compulsory for the parents of young entertainers to supply a "Coogan Account" number to their child's employer.

Unfortunately,  however, the system doesn't always work for child actors, as with David Faustino who starred as Bud Bundy in Married With . . . Children.  "Children was on for 11 years,"  Faustino told Access Hollywood (www.accesshollywood.com), and we all made really good money while we were doing it.  We made great weekly pay cheques, but residuals - we all got screwed over because Fox at te time was not  a network, it was a cable network, and so it was under cable contract.  So the show Married With . . . Children has made over a billion dollars, and we didn't really get a piece of that."


END NOTES

* British and Australian/New Zealand unions do not pay residuals.

* Jackie Coogan became well known for his portrayal of Uncle Fester on the 1960s television series The Addams Family.  He died on March 1, 1984 at the age of 69.


- Joanne

Y&R Report (March 4, 2017): The Latest on The Young and the Restless

Hey Y&R fans, every second Saturday TV Banter discusses the latest happenings and provides commentary on your favourite daytime drama. Note to U.S. readers - SPOILER ALERT: Here in Canada, I watch the show on Global TV which is one episode ahead of CBS.  I will inevitably refer to incidents you haven't seen yet. Read at your own risk.  If you are the curious type, though, you may prefer to discover some things in advance.

Jack and Gloria?  It's hard to believe, isn't it?  They've got something going on, but it's difficult to describe.  There's not any real love or affection or even friendship between them, that's for sure. Whatever it is, their relationship is rather yucky. Actually, I find it nauseating. Gloria, of course, is just using Jack for her own purposes.  Her motives are purely selfish.  She wants an executive suite at Jabot.  For her, Jack is merely a means of getting the status and the money she craves.  As for Jackie Boy, I've never seen him sink so low as to become involved with Gloria.  She is just BAD NEWS and Jack's involvement with her is toxic.  Not only that, but she is his former stepmother (She was married to John Abbott). Ugh!  Has Jack lost his mind?  He's certainly hit the bottom of the barrel.  

It won't be long before Jack and Gloria's relationship (if you can call it that) will be public knowledge in Geona City.  Nikki has already seen them together at the GC Athletic Club.  Phyllis also suspects something is going on between them.  Soon Ashley will learn about it and she will not be pleased, to say the very least.

Thanks to head writer Sally Sussman's devotion to the history of Y&R, we have been enjoying some great old flashbacks of Mrs. Chancellor and Jill.  Then there's that huge portrait of Mrs. Chancellor. It looks so real, it's almost eerie.  One almost expects the Grand Old Dame of Genoa City to speak or step out of the photo.  No wonder Jill was spooked when she received a letter in Mrs. C.'s handwriting.

When Katherine confessed in the letter that Philip had truly loved Jill, it brought closure to that seemingly endless feud between Katherine and Jill.  Jill finally found some peace of mind after reading Mrs. C.'s letter.  However, her anger returned when she learned that for years Katherine had denied her the special ring Philip had wanted her to have.

Aside from her heart condition, Jill has to deal with her scoundrel of a husband, also known as "The Blunder from Down Under."  Colin is the male version of Gloria.  He just goes from scam to scam, the latest being the music box scam.  Colin loves Jill, but he loves money more.  He just can't help himself.  He's an incorrigible cad.  As for Jill, she just can't wash the no-good Aussie out of her hair.  

Sally Sussman is certainly trying to reconstruct the glory days of the show, when Katherine Chancellor reigned supreme in Genoa City.  Sussman and her writing crew have thought of everything to link the present with the past.  Murphy was even brought back for a visit.

Victor Newman is definitely up to something.  Longtime viewers will remember Leanna Love, the gossipy reporter who wrote a scandalous expose of Victor.  Leanna's book was titled Ruthless: The Victor Newman Story.  Moneybags Newman has been rereading Ruthless and says he plans to write his autobiography to set the record straight.  The Black Knight never does anything without a motive. What kind of plan is he concocting in his devious mind this time?  Even Nikki has trouble believing her scheming husband only wants to provide a legacy for his children and grandchildren.

Nick and Chelsea are having their moment in the sun right now.  However, it certainly won't last. Why not?  Well, there are too many things against it.  The biggest obstacle, of course, is the huge secret Chelsea is keeping from Nick, that Adam is actually Christian's father.  When Nick finds out, as he inevitably will, he will be furious with Chelea.  He's been through enough secrets and lies with Sharon.  It also doesn't help Chelsea's case that Faith wants her parents to reunite.  Now that Sharon has lost Dylan, Faith won't stop hoping that she will get together with Nick again.  At the moment, Sharon isn't keeping any secrets from Nick.  That gives her the inside track.  That is why I expect Nick and Sharon to eventually reunite, especially with Sally Sussman as the head writer.

Many years ago, Nick proposed to Sharon at Crimson Lights, the Genoa City coffee house.  They later purchased the place and ran it together.  Now that Sharon is running Crimson Lights again, it wouldn't surprise me if she rekindles a romance with Nick there. It would be just like Sally Sussman to make that happen.

CAST NEWS

Amelia Heinle (Victoria Newman) and Thad Luckinbill break up just before tenth anniversary

Amelia and Thad in happier days

On March 1, 2017, Thad Luckinbill (ex-J.T. Hellstrom on Y&R) filed for divorce from Amelia Heinle (Victoria Newman) in Los Angeles Superior Court, citing "irreconcilable differences."  The couple wed on March 3, 2007 and are the parents of two children, Thaddeus Rowe, 9, and Georgia, 7. Luckinbill portrayed J.T. from 1999 until 2010, eventually marrying and divorcing his wife's soap character, Victoria.

Since leaving The Young and the Restless, Thad, 41, has produced successful films (including the Oscar-winning La La Land) along with his identical twin brother, Trent.


Singer comes to Genoa City

Tessa Fairbanks

A new character will be introduced on The Young and the Restless.  According to Soap Opera Digest, Cait Fairbanks has been cast as a young singer named Tessa Porter. Tessa is described as an "upbeat, free-spirited singer with a strong intuition about people."  Fairbanks is a newcomer to soaps,but has made appearances on TV shows such as Two and a Half Men and KC and the Underground.  She will make her Y&R screen debut on Friday, March 24, 2017 on CBS (Monday, March 27 on Global TV in Canada).

There is speculation that Tessa will interact with Reed Hellstrom (Tristan Lake Leabu),
Victoria's teenage son.  They will probably meet at The Underground where Reed sings and plays the guitar.

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Jack Abbott has been involved with many women over the years, including his ex-stepmother, Jill. Now he's dallying with Gloria, another former stepmother.  What do you think of Jack and Gloria's relationship.  Take the poll below.

How would you describe Jack's relationship with Gloria?

Amusing

Exciting

Yucky

Disgusting

I don't know.

Other

Please Specify:

make a poll

NOTE TO READERS:

If you have any comments on Y&R, please email them to me with "Viewer Forum" in the subject line. I will be happy to publish your comments and reply to them  You do not have to use your real name.  

My email address:  jmadden16@yahoo.ca

That's all for now.  The next edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on March 18, 2017.  In the meantime, enjoy the show.



- Joanne