Gene Nelson, who was nominated for a Tony Award as Buddy, the long-suffering husband who had the "God-Why-Don't-You-Love-Me-Oh-You-Do-I'll-See-You-Later Blues" in Stephen Sondheim's Follies, died Sept. 16 in California, at age 76.

Before the 1971 Follies, Nelson had a long history as a dancer in musical films, most notably the 1955 movie adaptation of Oklahoma! in which he played Will Parker and sang "Everything's Up To Date in Kansas City."

He began his career on Broadway with the 1930s skating revue It Happens on Ice, the Irving Berlin wartime revue This Is the Army and in the 1948 Broadway msuical Lend an Ear.

His Hollywood career included Lullaby of Broadway, Tea for Two and Three Sailors and a Girl. He also directed for film and TV during the 1960s before returning to Broadway in Follies.

Nelson's last known interview will be published as part of the Follies tribute issue of Sondheim Review magazine, scheduled to be distributed in late October. The interview took place earlier this summer and includes his thoughts on the original production of Follies and the talent of Sondheim. -- By Robert Viagas