Thomas Daniel Nelson (born December 7, 1997) is an American actor. He is best known for his performances as Neil in the biopic My Friend Dahmer and Russell in The Cat and the Moon.
Career Nelson's film debut came in 2006 playing Edward Jr. Age 6–7 in Robert De Niro's, The Good Shepherd. In 2012, he played Nickleby, a Khaki Scout, in the coming-of-age film Moonrise Kingdom. Since then, he has transitioned into maturer roles beginning with his portrayal of Neil in My Friend Dahmer. He starred as Russell in the drama film The Cat and the Moon, alongside his Dahmer costar Alex Wolff.
Outside of film, he has made guest appearances on television shows such as Gotham, Better Call Saul, and FBI.
During May to August 2019 he appeared alongside Taylor Hanks in the one-act play Fucknut (happy new year) written by Ryan Sans at Dixon Place and 13th Street Repertory Theatre.
Personal life Nelson was born in West Haven, Connecticut, and attended West Haven High School. He played guitar in jazz band and was actively involved in theatre including productions of The Drowsy Chaperone and The Laramie Project. In 2015 he was the recipient of the Connecticut Association of Schools Fine Arts Award for the Music/Theatre Division.
A Philadelphia Eagles fan, he played football during his senior year. Growing up, his favorite player was Brian Dawkins.
From September 2015 to December 2017, he attended the Film, Television, Voice-overs, & Commercial Acting (FTVC) Pace University School of Performing Arts program. He left in January 2018 to focus on acting.
Despite having naturally brown hair, Nelson admitted in an interview with BUILD Series that he kept his hair blonde and adopted the wardrobe of his character from The Cat and the Moon (joggers, sweatshirt, and a gold chain) for six months after filming ended. This can be seen in his appearance on Better Call Saul.
Nelson began dating Alexanna Brier, his Sour Honey co-star, in 2023. They married on September 11 of that year. They divorced within a year of the marriage.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2006 The Good Shepherd Edward Wilson Jr. - Age 6-7 2007 The Ten Noah Jennings And Then Came Love Horatio Then She Found Me Jimmy Ray 2008 Quid Pro Quo Young Isaac Knott 2009 OffspringLuke Carey 2010 Meek's Cutoff Jimmy White 2011 The Woman Walter Uncredited 2012 Moonrise Kingdom Nickleby 2013MastodonDanShort 2014Night Has SettledNick 2015SoloClay Short 2016BarryBuzz 2017My Friend Dahmer Neil Davis 2019 The Cat and the Moon Russell 2024Sour HoneyRockyShort
Television Year Title Role Notes 2006Rescue Me Kid on Bus Episode: "Sparks" 2007 Dirty Sexy Money Young Brian Darling Sr.Episode: "Pilot" Law & Order: Criminal Intent Clay Darren Jr.Episode: "Courtship" 2008 The Prince of Motor City MalcolmTelevision Film 2009 Possible Side Effects Ben CollinsTelevision Film 2011 Mildred Pierce NewsboyTelevision Mini-Series "Part 1" & "Part 2" 2014 Boardwalk Empire Ned Episode: "Cuanto"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Gregory Miller Episode: "Producer's Backend" 2017 The Path BrianEpisode: "Why We Source"GothamBrant JonesEpisode: "A Dark Knight: A Day in the Narrows" 2018BlindspotCameronEpisode: "Warning Shot"Better Call SaulRoccoEpisodes: "Quite a Ride" & "Piñata" 2019 FBI Ivan Childress Episode: "An Imperfect Science" 2022 The Righteous Gemstones Young Junior Marsh Episode: "I Speak in the Tongues of Men and Angels" 2024Law & Order: Special Victims UnitTravis ButlerEpisode: "Truth Embargo"
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