My Dad was "Thorny" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

RD4 · 10-11-2013, 12:44 PM

Hi folks - I have posted in the "Hazel" forum and several posters suggested I should visit here as well. Obviously you're all Ozzie and Harriet fans so surely you would remember my Dad, Don DeFore, who played their next door neighbor, "Thorny," for the first five years of the show. It's been so heart-warming over the years to hear from my Dad's fans via my website, defore.net, Facebook page: Don DeFore Fan Club, and these forums. I'll be chiming in on occasion as time permits and would be happy to try and answer any questions you all my have. To start, I'll post this photo of the Nelsons at our house one Christmas long ago.

Coffeecup · 10-11-2013, 02:26 PM

It must be warm to have people talk about your dad and the shows he appeared on. Show business is one field where your work lives on. Long after you pass away people will find you and can talk about you. A different feeling than most people.

RD4 · 10-12-2013, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffeecup

It must be warm to have people talk about your dad and the shows he appeared on. Show business is one field where your work lives on. Long after you pass away people will find you and can talk about you. A different feeling than most people.

Yes, indeed, I've always felt blessed to not only have a celebrity family but my Dad was very special - not a typical "Hollywood type." My Mom was also in the biz before the was married - she was a vocalist with both Henry Busse and Art Kassel's bands in the late 30's and early 40s - Marion Holmes. She made "I'm a Little Tea Pot" famous :-)

Mickey4ever · 10-15-2013, 11:03 PM

How nice to visit the forums and see your post!! I'm sure you have lots of wonderful memories of the Nelsons.

I look forward to you sharing memories here when time permits!!

I see you list DC as your home...I live in MD so we are practically neighbors...

Mr. Television · 10-16-2013, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RD4

Hi folks - I have posted in the "Hazel" forum and several posters suggested I should visit here as well. Obviously you're all Ozzie and Harriet fans so surely you would remember my Dad, Don DeFore, who played their next door neighbor, "Thorny," for the first five years of the show. It's been so heart-warming over the years to hear from my Dad's fans via my website, defore.net, Facebook page: Don DeFore Fan Club, and these forums. I'll be chiming in on occasion as time permits and would be happy to try and answer any questions you all my have. To start, I'll post this photo of the Nelsons at our house one Christmas long ago.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I just want you to know that your Dad was a great actor. I loved him on Hazel. The show wasn't the same after he left. He was also great on O&H. You must be very proud of him.

OH Nuts! · 10-16-2013, 11:08 PM

Your dad was a great actor and added MUCH to The Adv. Of Ozzie & Harriet and especially to Hazel. I also really enjoyed him in The Stork Club with Betty Hutton (man could she sing!) but boy could he act! Hope you come by often.

ThomasE · 10-27-2013, 08:16 PM

Well, welcome to the boards. I am sure that you will get a lot of people who are fans of the show and your father's character. It is good to meet you.

Dan Tullis · 12-03-2013, 05:35 PM

Thorny was a great neighbor for Ozzie, they really had a rapport on-screen, and I wish he had stayed with the show a few more years - although I also enjoy seeing Darby, Joe, and Doc.

bliss · 12-05-2013, 10:40 PM

Did you know Kent McCord who was on Ozzie & Harriet and was Rick Nelson's friend?

bliss · 12-15-2013, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by labixby

Don't know if this questions was asked & answered already, but why did your dad leave the show?

Am curious about this one too. Don appeared to do a lot of guest spots and a few TV-movies after O&H & before Hazel.

bliss · 02-02-2014, 02:45 PM

I've seen a few clips and episodes of Ozzie & Thorny mentions a wife named Katherine but I have yet to see her. Was she ever seen? & if she wasn't why wasn't an actress cast for the role.....

jesmelric · 03-04-2014, 10:24 AM

My absolute favorite episodes are the Ozzie and Thorny ones! He added so much to the show, I was sad that he left

Darby and Joe were good, but no one was as good with Ozzie as Thorny. I thought he was great on Hazel as well, and he seemed like a really nice guy

bliss · 03-05-2014, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesmelric

My absolute favorite episodes are the Ozzie and Thorny ones! He added so much to the show, I was sad that he left

Darby and Joe were good, but no one was as good with Ozzie as Thorny. I thought he was great on Hazel as well, and he seemed like a really nice guy

Agree. I loved the on-screen chemistry between Don Defore & Ozzie Nelson. I still

over the Pajama episode. Those two really had great comedic timing.

Not buying the whole Joe Randolph friendship. It seemed imo forced and a bit distant hmmm maybe more like casual acquaintances than best friends.

10-11-2013, 12:44 PM	#1
RD4 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 28, 2008 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 28	My Dad was "Thorny" Hi folks - I have posted in the "Hazel" forum and several posters suggested I should visit here as well. Obviously you're all Ozzie and Harriet fans so surely you would remember my Dad, Don DeFore, who played their next door neighbor, "Thorny," for the first five years of the show. It's been so heart-warming over the years to hear from my Dad's fans via my website, defore.net, Facebook page: Don DeFore Fan Club, and these forums. I'll be chiming in on occasion as time permits and would be happy to try and answer any questions you all my have. To start, I'll post this photo of the Nelsons at our house one Christmas long ago.

10-27-2013, 08:16 PM	#7
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	Well, welcome to the boards. I am sure that you will get a lot of people who are fans of the show and your father's character. It is good to meet you.
	__________________ Check out my my "It's A Living" Facebook Fanpage!!! https://m.facebook.com/groups/107208...&source=result

10-11-2013, 02:26 PM	#2
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,183	It must be warm to have people talk about your dad and the shows he appeared on. Show business is one field where your work lives on. Long after you pass away people will find you and can talk about you. A different feeling than most people.

10-15-2013, 11:03 PM	#4
Mickey4ever Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 09, 2009 Posts: 82	How nice to visit the forums and see your post!! I'm sure you have lots of wonderful memories of the Nelsons. I look forward to you sharing memories here when time permits!! I see you list DC as your home...I live in MD so we are practically neighbors...

10-16-2013, 11:08 PM	#6
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Your dad was a great actor and added MUCH to The Adv. Of Ozzie & Harriet and especially to Hazel. I also really enjoyed him in The Stork Club with Betty Hutton (man could she sing!) but boy could he act! Hope you come by often.

12-03-2013, 05:35 PM	#8
Dan Tullis Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 15, 2009 Location: Seahurst, WA Posts: 180	Thorny was a great neighbor for Ozzie, they really had a rapport on-screen, and I wish he had stayed with the show a few more years - although I also enjoy seeing Darby, Joe, and Doc.

12-05-2013, 10:40 PM	#9
bliss THAT GIRL Senior Member Join Date: Apr 26, 2009 Posts: 1,000	Did you know Kent McCord who was on Ozzie & Harriet and was Rick Nelson's friend?

02-02-2014, 02:45 PM	#11
bliss THAT GIRL Senior Member Join Date: Apr 26, 2009 Posts: 1,000	I've seen a few clips and episodes of Ozzie & Thorny mentions a wife named Katherine but I have yet to see her. Was she ever seen? & if she wasn't why wasn't an actress cast for the role.....

03-04-2014, 10:24 AM	#12
jesmelric Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 31, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 75	My absolute favorite episodes are the Ozzie and Thorny ones! He added so much to the show, I was sad that he left Darby and Joe were good, but no one was as good with Ozzie as Thorny. I thought he was great on Hazel as well, and he seemed like a really nice guy