Michael J. Nelson
Known for

Writing

Credits

87

Gender

Man

Birthday

Oct 11, 1964 (59)

Place of birth

St. Charles, Illinois

Also known as
Mike Nelson

Michael J. Nelson

Biography

Michael J. Nelson is the former host and writer of the Emmy-nominated, Peabody Award-winning Mystery Science Theater 3000. Since that time, he has appeared on numerous radio and TV shows, penned a regular column for TV Guide, and authored best-selling books for both HarperCollins and Abrams. His first book, Mike Nelson's Movie Megacheese, thrilled critics, including Richard Schickel of Time Magazine, who said of Mike, "He's more fun than a barrel of Val Kilmers... Smarter than a roomful of Patrick Swayzes... and almost as hilarious as Keanu Reeves." Mike's laugh-out-loud follow-up, Mind Over Matters, prompted Kirkus Reviews to enthuse, "From someplace called Minnesota comes a Nelson funnier than Ozzie, Ricky, Lord or Half," and even dared to compare him to another legendary writer, saying of his Serious Speech to Business People, "[It] could easily precede [Robert] Benchley's immortal Treasurer's Report." And Kirkus Reviews loved his novel, Death Rat!, saying, "Fast-paced, outrageous and funny, first-novelist Nelson's mockery of media mendacity is as biting as La Dolce Vita or Network--only funnier!" Nelson speaks all over the country, is a frequent guest on radio and television, and along with fellow former MST3K writers/performers Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy operate a podcast called RiffTrax, which, in a similar vein to MST3K, targets more mainstream films.

Known for
Acting roles
YearMovie / TV show / OtherRole
RiffTrax: Star Wars: The Force AwakensHimself (voice)
This Is MST 3KSelf
The Year of Laughing DangerouslyJoel Williams
2024GrimTraxSelf
2024RiffTrax Live: Point BreakSelf
2023RiffTrax Live: RADSelf
2022Rifftrax Live: The Return of Swamp ThingSelf
2021RiffTrax Live: HobgoblinsSelf
2021RiffTrax Live: Amityville 4: The Evil Escapes
2020Rifftrax: Stitches
2019RiffTrax Live: OctamanSelf
2019RiffTrax Live: Giant Spider InvasionMike
2019RiffTrax Live: Star RaidersSelf
2018Rifftrax Live: Space MutinySelf
2017Rifftrax Live: Samurai CopHimself
2017RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who – The Five DoctorsSelf
2017RiffTrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach PartyHimself
2016Rifftrax Live: MothraHimself
2016RiffTrax Live: MST3K ReunionSelf
2016Rifftrax Live: Time ChasersHimself
2016Rifftrax Live: Carnival of Souls
2016Rifftrax live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2016Himself
2015Rifftrax Live: Miami Connection
2015RiffTrax Live: Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny
2015Rifftrax Live: The RoomHimself
2015RiffTrax Live: Sharknado 2Himself
2015Rifftrax live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2015Himself
2014RiffTrax Live: SharknadoHimself
2014RiffTrax Live: GodzillaSelf
2014Total Riff Off
2014RiffTrax Live: Santa ClausSelf
2013Rifftrax Live: Starship TroopersSelf
2013RiffTrax Live: Night of the Living DeadSelf
2013Rifftrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the MartiansSelf
2013RiffTrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2013Himself
2013Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Motion Picture OdysseyHimself
2012RiffTrax Live: Birdemic - Shock and TerrorHimself
2012RiffTrax Live: "Manos" the Hands of FateSelf
2011RiffTrax: ThorSelf
2010RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted Hillhimself
2010Rifftrax Live: Reefer Madness
2009RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer SpaceSelf
2009RiffTrax Live: Christmas Shorts-stravaganza!Himself
2007The Film Crew: Hollywood After DarkHimself
2007The Film Crew: Killers from SpaceMike Nelson
2007The Film Crew
2007Max the HeroStew (voice)
2007The Film Crew: Giant of MarathonMike Nelson
2007The Film Crew: Wild Women of WongoMike Nelson
2001The Adventures of Edward the LessThe Noble One (voice)
2000Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 3Mike Nelson
1999Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 2Mike Nelson
1999The Last Dance: RAWHimself / Mike Nelson
1998Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 1Mike Nelson
1996Mystery Science Theater 3000: The MovieMike Nelson
1995Poopie!
1989Mystery Science Theater 3000Gamera
1989Mystery Science Theater 3000Mike Nelson
1989Mystery Science Theater 3000Torgo
1989Mystery Science Theater 3000Morrissey
1989Mystery Science Theater 3000Tony Travis (voice)
1989Mystery Science Theater 3000Officer Mike
1989Mystery Science Theater 3000Clown
1989Mystery Science Theater 3000Imperialistic Alien 1
1964Three Stooges: Greatest RoutinesMichael J. Nelson
Credits
YearMovie / TV show / OtherRole
2024GrimTraxWriter
2024GrimTraxDirector
2024RiffTrax Live: Point BreakWriter
2023RiffTrax Live: RADWriter
2022Rifftrax Live: The Return of Swamp ThingWriter
2019RiffTrax Live: Star RaidersWriter
2017RiffTrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach PartyWriter
2017RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who – The Five DoctorsDirector
2016RiffTrax Live: MST3K ReunionDirector
2016RiffTrax Live: MST3K ReunionWriter
2014RiffTrax Live: Santa ClausWriter
2013Rifftrax Live: Starship TroopersWriter
2013Rifftrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the MartiansWriter
2012RiffTrax Live: "Manos" the Hands of FateExecutive Producer
2012RiffTrax Live: "Manos" the Hands of FateWriter
2010RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted HillExecutive Producer
2010RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted HillWriter
2010Rifftrax Live: Reefer MadnessWriter
2000Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 3Writer
1996Mystery Science Theater 3000: The MovieWriter
1989Mystery Science Theater 3000Writer
1989Mystery Science Theater 3000Director