Nelson Aspen

Nelson received his 4th nomination for The International Media Award from the Publicists Guild of America, to be awarded at the Beverly Hilton on Friday, February 22 prior to the Academy Awards.

As a young actor he was coached and mentored by daytime TV icon Mary Stuart, with whom he worked on Search for Tomorrow (1951). When she joined the cast of Guiding Light (1952) in the role of Meta Bauer, Aspen wrote her a "bible" on the character's long history. The two remained close friends until her death.

Nelson Aspen was born on July 1, 1963 in West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA as Nelson Page Aspen Jr.

His childhood favourite actress was Carol Lynley, whom he first met in the mid 1970s while she appeared on Broadway in "Absurd Person Singular". A life-long friendship resulted and they frequently appear together at press events, film festivals, etc.

In the late 1980s, he privately coached Broadway legend Gwen Verdon ("Sweet Charity," "Chicago") in "Vogue" dancing.

Played "Larry" in the 1994 Los Angeles production of Lanford Wilson's "Burn This" at the Coast Playhouse.

Auditioned for the role of "Jack" when Will & Grace (1998) was originally cast. Told he was "too Will" to be "Jack."

Two months after the publication of his book, "Let's Dish Up A Dinner Party!" in 2004, Elle magazine selected him as one of its six "Good Time Gurus", along with Martha Stewart and Serena Bass. US Weekly named the book as one of its "Hot Picks."

In February, 2006, when Aspen's twice-daily live segments for Australia's Sunrise morning show were cut back to only one a day, over 7,000 phone calls came in during the three hour telecast to request him back for both live reports. He returned the next morning and resumed his original twice-daily schedule. He has added two more weekly reports for the new New Zealand breakfast show on TV3, coincidentally also called "Sunrise.".

Nelson's designated charity for 2007 is Camp Heartland. Based in Wisconsin, Camp Heartland was founded by Neil Willenson in 1991 and operates education programs and summer camps for children living with HIV/AIDS. He has also supported APLA, City Meals on Wheels, the Childrens Cancer Institute of Australia and St Mary School for Children with Special Needs.

Author of autobiography, "Hollywood Insider: Exposed!" from New Holland Publishers. Released in USA, February 2009.

His fourth book, "Dinner at Nelson's: A Delicious Collection of Conversation & Cuisine," will be published by New Holland in 2011. Celebrity guests to include Tony Curtis, Carol Lynley, Ian Abercrombie, Deven Green, Sherry Stringfield, Cameron Daddo, Kassie & Jim DePaiva and many others.

His fifth book, "My Prime Time: Middle Age is Only the Beginning," was released in tandem with his 50th birthday in 2013 and features many notable "Middle Aged" stars such as Julianne Moore, Hugh Jackman, Jodie Foster, Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

In 2015, after selling out at Australia's Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Nelson performed his One Man Show at the iconic Sydney Opera House. He often appears in NYC musical gigs alongside other musical performers such as Broadway star Anita Gillette, with whom he appeared on TV's Search for Tomorrow.