Michael J. Nelson
Born: 1964-10-11 in St. Charles, Illinois
Known For: Writing
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.
Filmography
2025
- RiffTrax Live: Timecop as Self
- RiffTrax: Super Zeroes as Self
2024
- GrimTrax as Self
- RiffTrax Live: Point Break as Self
2023
- RiffTrax Live: RAD as Self
2021
- RiffTrax Live: Hobgoblins as Self
2019
- RiffTrax Live: Star Raiders as Self
- RiffTrax Live: Giant Spider Invasion as Mike
- RiffTrax Live: Octaman as Self
2018
- The Rifftrax Yule Log as Himself
- RiffTrax Live: Space Mutiny as Self
2017
- RiffTrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach Party as Himself
- Rifftrax Live: Samurai Cop as Himself
- RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who – The Five Doctors as Self
2016
- Rifftrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2016 as Himself
- RiffTrax Live: MST3K Reunion as Self
- RiffTrax Live: Mothra as Himself
- Rifftrax Live: Carnival of Souls
- RiffTrax Live: Time Chasers as Himself
2015
2014
- Total Riff Off
- RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus as Self
- Rifftrax: R.O.T.O.R. as self
- RiffTrax Live: Godzilla as Self
- RiffTrax Live: Sharknado as Himself
2013
- Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Motion Picture Odyssey as Himself
- Rifftrax Live: Starship Troopers as Self
- RiffTrax Live: Night of the Living Dead as Self
- RiffTrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2013 as Himself
- Rifftrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians as Self
- Rifftrax: Cool as Ice as self
2012
- RiffTrax Live: Birdemic - Shock and Terror as Himself
- Rifftrax: The Guy From Harlem as self
- RiffTrax Live: "Manos" the Hands of Fate as Self
- Santa's Village of Madness as Self
2010
2009
- RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space as Self
- RiffTrax Live: Christmas Shorts-stravaganza! as Himself
- Rifftrax: Twilight as self
2007
- Max the Hero as Stew (voice)
2001
- The Adventures of Edward the Less as The Noble One (voice)
2000
- Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 3 as Mike Nelson
1999
- Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 2 as Mike Nelson
- The Last Dance: RAW as Himself / Mike Nelson
1998
- Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 1 as Mike Nelson
1997
1996
- Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie as Mike Nelson
1995
- Poopie!
- MST3K Little Gold Statue Preview Special as Mike Nelson
- Poopie Parade of Values as Mike Nelson
1992
- This Is MST3K as Self
1989
- Mystery Science Theater 3000 as Valeria
1964
- Three Stooges: Greatest Routines as Michael J. Nelson