Nelson is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts of New York (1972). Since then he has starred in over 75 theatrical, television and film productions in the United States, Spain, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. Nelson has played various roles opposite to America's top leading actors such as: Harrison Ford "Random Hearts", Nicole Kidman "The Interpreter", both directed by the late Sidney Pollack. He played Ambassador Higgens next to Billy Crudup and Jennifer Connelly in "Waking the Dead" directed by Keith Gordon. He starred in the independent film "Uncertainty" directed by David Siegel and Scott Macgehee. Most recently he participated in the films "Musical Chairs" directed by Susan Seidelman, and "Bottled Up" starring Melissa Leo. He is now participating on the film "Daughter of God" starring Keanu Reeves. He is the Co-Executive Director of Teatro LATEA in New York - a collective artistic group founded in 1982, devoted to fostering, promoting and preserving Latin American cultural heritage. He is also the Co-Founder of The Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center, an institution housing and promoting artists and performance events that reflect the cultural diversity of New York City.