Michael J. Nelson Picture
STARmeter
SEE RANK
Down 1,543 this week

Michael J. Nelson

Writer | Actor | Soundtrack

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... See full bio »

Born:

Michael John Nelson
in St. Charles, Illinois, USA
More at IMDbPro » Contact Info on IMDbPro Contact Info: View company
Add or change photos on IMDbPro Represent Michael J. Nelson? Add or change photos
Still of Trace Beaulieu, Jim Mallon, Kevin Murphy and Michael J. Nelson in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie Still of Michael J. Nelson in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie Still of Michael J. Nelson in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie
4 photos | 3 videos | 94 news articles »

Michael J. Nelson's Tweets

I try to avoid consuming anything that has the "May Cause Suicidal Thoughts" warning on it. But this clam chowder DOES look good.
20 May 2013 11:06 AM, PDT
See all 6715 Tweets »

Quick Links:

Related News

Release Details and Cover Art for Mystery Science Theater 3000: Xxvi
25 March 2013 10:37 AM, PDT | DailyDead
Aston Villa vs Bradford – Match Preview, Team News & Likely Line-Ups
22 January 2013 7:15 AM, PST | Obsessed with Film
RiffTrax Bringing Back 'Plan 9,' 'Manos'
4 January 2013 8:57 PM, PST | Airlock Alpha
See all 94 related articles »
Create a list  »

Related Lists

image of name
Actors With High Body Counts
a list of 1,629 people by PunishU created 4 months ago
 
image of name
My Guy Crushes
a list of 43 people by PunishU created 5 months ago
 
image of name
Awesome Conservatives
a list of 53 people by PunishU created 5 months ago
 
image of name
Epic/Awesome Male Celebrities List
a list of 62 people by sonicgal007 created 06 Aug 2011
 
image of name
Funny People (For lack of a better title)
a list of 85 people by carl-norquist created 4 months ago
 
See all related lists »

Do you have a demo reel?

Add it to your IMDbPage

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel -- This reel contains Christopher performing in Film and Television. The clips included are from the following: "The Boundary", "The Wire", "Duplicity", "Law & Order(SVU)", "Michael Clayton", "Cost Of A Soul", "HEROES" and "Law & Order (CI)".

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel

Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

Francine Locke Film Reel

Franklin Ojeda Smith - -- "...back in the day the 'barb wire' was more visible" and early on I chose baseball over acting; then academia and not baseball. Now,"...the kids are grown, the dog is dead and now that I may, I choose acting." Please take a look: 1)Boardwalk Empire - Deacon Cuffy 2)Murder Incorporated - Sam Christenson 3)Cayman Went - Aniston Turnkey 4)Letting Go -Therapist 5)Footsteps in the Sand - Jim. Thank You! Franklin

Franklin Ojeda Smith -

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

My Demo Reel

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama -- On-camera drama reel featuring David H. Lawrence XVII, in scenes from Heroes, The Unit, LOST, and more

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama


Find out more at IMDbPro »

Connect with IMDb

Take The Quiz!

Test your knowledge of Michael J. Nelson.
Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 4 nominations See more awards »

Known For


Show Show all  | 
Show by:
Edit

Filmography

Hide HideWriter (19 titles)
2007 Max the Hero (short)
 
2007 The Film Crew: The Giant of Marathon (video)
 
2007 The Film Crew: Wild Women of Wongo (video)
 
2007 The Film Crew: Killers from Space (video)
 
2007 The Film Crew: Hollywood After Dark (video)
 
2004 Cheap Seats: Without Ron Parker (TV series)
 
2001 Let's Bowl (TV series)
 
2001 The Adventures of Edward the Less (TV mini-series)
 
2001 Mr. B's Lost Shorts (video) (head writer)
 
2000 Assignment: Venezuela and Other Shorts (video) (head writer)
 
1989-1999 Mystery Science Theater 3000 (TV series)
– Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders (1999) (head writer)
– Diabolik (1999) (head writer)
– Squirm (1999) (head writer / 1989-1999)
– Horrors of Spider Island (1999) (head writer / 1989-1999)
– It Lives by Night (1999) (head writer / 1989-1999)
See all 152 episodes »
 
1999 Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts Volume 3 (video)
 
1999 Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts Volume 2 (video)
 
1998 2nd Annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Summer Blockbuster Review (TV short) (head writer)
 
1998 Mystery Science Theater 3000: Academy of Robots' Choice Awards Special (TV movie) (head writer)
 
1998 Let's Bowl (TV series)
 
1997 1st Annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Summer Blockbuster Review (TV short) (head writer)
 
1996 Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie
 
1995 MST3K Little Gold Statue Preview Special (TV special) (head writer)
 
Show ShowActor (15 titles)
2010 Mega64 (TV series)
Frankie
– Frankie (2010) … Frankie
 
2007 Max the Hero (short)
Stew (voice)
 
2005 Cheap Seats: Without Ron Parker (TV series)
Mike Nelson
– Creative Breaking Champs/K-1 Fighting (2005) … Mike Nelson
 
2001 The Adventures of Edward the Less (TV mini-series)
The Noble One (voice)
 
2001 Mr. B's Lost Shorts (video)
Mike Nelson
 
2000 Assignment: Venezuela and Other Shorts (video)
Mike Nelson
 
1990-1999 Mystery Science Theater 3000 (TV series)
Mike Nelson / Observer / Torgo / …
– Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders (1999) … Mike Nelson
– Diabolik (1999) … Mike Nelson
– Squirm (1999) … Mike Nelson
– Horrors of Spider Island (1999) … Mike Nelson
– It Lives by Night (1999) … Mike Nelson
See all 122 episodes »
 
1999 Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts Volume 3 (video)
Mike Nelson
 
1999 Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts Volume 2 (video)
Mike Nelson
 
1998 Mystery Science Theater 3000: Poopie! (video short)
Mike Nelson
 
1998 2nd Annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Summer Blockbuster Review (TV short)
Mike Nelson
 
1998 Mystery Science Theater 3000: Academy of Robots' Choice Awards Special (TV movie)
Mike Nelson
 
1998 Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts (video)
Mike Nelson
 
1997 1st Annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Summer Blockbuster Review (TV short)
Mike Nelson
 
1996 Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie
Mike Nelson
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (3 titles)
1990-1999 Mystery Science Theater 3000 (TV series)
– Diabolik (1999) (music: "To Earth" / performer: "To Earth")
– Squirm (1999) (performer: "Happy Birthday to You" - uncredited)
– Hamlet (1999) (performer: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" - uncredited)
– The Screaming Skull (1998) (performer: "My Sharona" - uncredited)
– The Final Sacrifice (1998) (writer: "I Wish I Was Back in Old Canada" / performer: "I Wish I Was Back in Old Canada")
See all 67 episodes »
 
1998 2nd Annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Summer Blockbuster Review (TV short) (music: "End of the Summer" / performer: "End of the Summer")
 
1997 1st Annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Summer Blockbuster Review (TV short) (music: "Blockbuster Review Uptown Toodle-oo")
 
Show ShowDirector (2 titles)
Show ShowMusic Department (2 titles)
Mystery Science Theater 3000 (TV series) (composer: additional music - 8 episodes, 1994-1999) (composer: theme music - 1 episode, 1999)
– Diabolik (1999) (composer: additional music)
– Hamlet (1999) (composer: theme music)
– Laserblast (1996) (composer: additional music)
– Escape 2000 (1996) (composer: additional music)
– The Incredible Melting Man (1996) (composer: additional music)
See all 9 episodes »
 
1998 2nd Annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Summer Blockbuster Review (TV short) (composer: song "End of the Summer")
 
Show ShowProducer (3 titles)
2007 The Film Crew: Wild Women of Wongo (video) (co-producer)
 
2007 The Film Crew: Killers from Space (video) (producer)
 
2007 The Film Crew: Hollywood After Dark (video) (producer)
 
Show ShowComposer (3 titles)
Show ShowThanks (1 title)
1992 This Is MST3K (TV documentary short) (special thanks - as Mike Nelson)
 
Show ShowSelf (18 titles)
2012 Rifftrax Live: Birdemic - Shock and Terror
Himself
 
2012 RiffTrax Live: Manos - The Hands of Fate
Himself
 
2011 RiffTrax Live: Jack the Giant Killer
Himself
 
2010 RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted Hill
Himself
 
2010 RiffTrax Live: Reefer Madness
Himself
 
2009 RiffTrax Live: Christmas Shorts-stravaganza!
Himself
 
2009 RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space
Himself
 
2008 The History of MST3K (video documentary)
Himself
 
2007 The Film Crew: The Giant of Marathon (video)
Himself
 
2007 The Film Crew: Wild Women of Wongo (video)
Himself
 
2007 The Film Crew: Killers from Space (video)
Himself
 
2007 The Film Crew: Hollywood After Dark (video)
Himself
 
2005 The Three Stooges in Color (video)
Himself (as Mike Nelson)
 
2004 Super Secret Movie Rules (TV series documentary)
Himself - Critic and Author / Himself
– Disaster Movies (2004) … Himself - Critic and Author (as Mike Nelson)
– Slashers (2004) … Himself - Critic and Author (as Mike Nelson)
– Sports Underdogs (2004) … Himself
 
2003 Dragon*Con 2002 (video documentary)
Himself
 
1997 The Making of 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' (TV documentary)
Himself (also archive footage) / Mike Nelson (also archive footage)
 
1995 MST3K Little Gold Statue Preview Special (TV special)
Mike Nelson
 
1992 This Is MST3K (TV documentary short)
Himself (Head Writer, MST3K) (as Michael Nelson)
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (1 title)
2007 Heart of an Empire (documentary)
Himself
 

Related Videos

Twin Peaks: Season 1: Episode 2 -- Agent Cooper enjoys the comforts of the Great Northern Hotel; Bobby Briggs and Mike Nelson are released from jail; Doctor Hayward hands over the autopsy report on Laura Palmer. Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie -- Mike Nelson and his robot companions watch and give their comments about "This Island Earth". Twin Peaks: Season 2: Episode 11 -- Mrs. Briggs talks about her husband's disappearance into the woods. Nadine is put on the wrestling team, where she falls for Mike Nelson. James is hired by a mysterious wealthy woman named Evelyn Marsh. Dick takes on an orphan named Little Nicky.
Edit

Personal Details

Other Works:

Authored the Novel: Death Rat See more »

Publicity Listings:

5 Articles  | 1 Magazine Cover Photo  | See more »

Official Sites:

MySpace | Official Site | See more »

Alternate Names:

Michael Nelson | Mike Nelson

Height:

6' 1" (1.85 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

[Talking about the film Manos: The Hands of Fate]: "We [the writers] started watching it, and had never seen anything like that. We kept saying to ourselves, 'There is no way we can do this movie, it is just too bizarre.' But we finally decided, 'No, we must bring this to the world.'" See more »

Trivia:

Joel Hodgson chose him to be his replacement as the host of Mystery Science Theater 3000 because he was impressed with his leadership skills, his music skills and the fact that he looked great standing next to the show's puppets. See more »

Star Sign:

Libra