Judi Meredith Nelson (1936 - 2014)
She was not on the list.
Nelson, Judi Meredith 77 Oct. 13, 1936 April 30, 2014 Judi Meredith Nelson, 77, of Las Vegas, passed away April 30, 2014. She was born Judith Claire Boutin Oct. 13, 1936, to Herbert Boutin and Janice M. Starr, in Portland. Judi graduated from St. Mary's Academy in Portland. She was happily married for 51 years to Gary Nelson. They lived together in Encino, Calif., until 1998 then resided in both Chicago and Palm Beach, Fla., until finally settling in Las Vegas in 2002.
At 15, Judi was a professional ice skater in the Ice Follies until 1951 when she suffered a serious skiing accident which ended her skating career. Soon after, George Burns "discovered" her at the Pasadena Play House and asked her to join the cast of the Burns and Allen Show. Judi went on to co-star and star in numerous television shows and films, many of which were memorable such as: Summer Love, Jack the Giant Killer, Night Walker, Queen of Blood, Gunsmoke, Have Gun will Travel, Wagon Train, Bonanza and Hawaii Five-O to name a few.
Through mid-1957, she appeared in small roles on a number of TV shows (including Burns and Allen) billed under her real name of Judi Boutin. Eventually, she assumed the name Judi Meredith, and was cast by Burns in the supporting role of Bonnie Sue McAfee on the Burns and Allen show, becoming a recurring performer on the show in 1957-58. In 1958-59, she appeared in a recurring role as herself (in the role of the girlfriend of Ronnie Burns) on the follow-up series The George Burns Show. 1958 also saw Meredith's film debut, Wild Heritage.
It was on Hotel de Paree where she met a then young assistant director named Gary Nelson. Not long after, Judi agreed to star on the TV show "Have Gun Will Travel" for free if Gary would be allowed to direct. Once married, her new husband proclaimed that "there would be only one professional in the house" thus slowly supplanting Judi's acting career with his directing career. Judi was an avid photographer and enjoyed yearly trips to a ranch in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming with Gary and their two sons, Garrett and Blue. She also enjoyed a lifelong passion for her rose garden and always supported her husband on film and television locations around the world. When not filming, they spent their time cruising on their yacht throughout the Caribbean. Judi is survived by her husband, Gary; sons, Garrett Nelson of Las Vegas and Blue Nelson of Los Angeles; and sister, Randa DeLorge of La Pine. Donations may be made in Judi's name to St. Joseph Husband of Mary Roman Catholic Church in Las Vegas.
Selected filmography
Wild Heritage (1958)
Money, Women and Guns (1958)
Have Gun, Will Travel (1959)
Summer Love (1958)
Jack the Giant Killer (1962)
The Raiders (1963)
The Night Walker (1964)
Dark Intruder (1965)
Queen of Blood (1966)
Something Big (1971)
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