Actor / Director Profile

Haywood Nelson is best known as Dwayne Nelson from the legendary TV show "What's Happening!!" (1976). Haywood played Dwayne, a pretty boy who is a little shy, friendly, down to earth teen, who was likable and with his catch phrase, "Hey, Hey, Hey," became a favorite, memorable character by all who watched him then and now. He maintained that persona as an adult on "What's Happening Now!" (1985) as well. Haywood arguably became the first Black TV teenage sex symbol while on "What's Happening!!" (1976); young teenage girls finally had someone of their age group to swoon over, and Haywood was the perfect match with his pretty boy looks and dimpled smile. Upon that he had a sweetness, a sense of humor, wit, and a natural likability about him that complimented his character and made him successful and likable. He was a guy, guys liked and girls liked which is a rare quality.Haywood was a child star, appearing in many national commercials; he also appeared on Broadway in a successful show, "Thieves," At the age of 14, he also guest starred on "Sanford and Son" (1972) as Grady's grandson; at 15, he was in the cast of a spin-off of Sanford and Son called "Grady" (1975). The show was short-lived but Haywood wasn't; the next year, in 1976, at the age of 16, he finally got his break and became a TV star in a role of a lifetime as Dwayne on "What's Happening!!" (1976).Haywood Nelson is still in the entertainment business, mainly behind the scenes; he has done talk shows, TV shows and many interviews.