Michael J. Nelson
Known for Writing · 67 credits
- Born
- 1964-10-11 (age 61)
- Place of birth
- St. Charles, Illinois
- Also known as
- Mike 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
Mystery Science Theater 3000
1989
as Valeria / Mike Nelson / Torgo / Morrissey / Tony Travis (voice) / Officer Mike / Holo-Clown / Imperialistic Alien / Isaac Asimov Literary Doomsday Device (voice) / Kenny
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie
1996
as Mike Nelson
Total Riff Off
2014
The Adventures of Edward the Less
2001
as The Noble One (voice)
RiffTrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach Party
2017
as Self
RiffTrax Live: RAD
2023
as Self
TV Shows (4)
Mystery Science Theater 3000
1989
as Valeria / Mike Nelson / Torgo / Morrissey / Tony Travis (voice) / Officer Mike / Holo-Clown / Imperialistic Alien / Isaac Asimov Literary Doomsday Device (voice) / Kenny
Total Riff Off
2014
The Adventures of Edward the Less
2001
as The Noble One (voice)
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The RiffTrax Experiments
as Mike Nelson
Movies (63)
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie
1996
as Mike Nelson
RiffTrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach Party
2017
as Self
RiffTrax Live: RAD
2023
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny
2015
RiffTrax Live: Star Raiders
2019
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus
2014
as Self
GrimTrax
2024
as Self
Rifftrax Live: Reefer Madness
2010
RiffTrax Live: Point Break
2024
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Space Mutiny
2018
as Self
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 2
1999
as Mike Nelson
RiffTrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2013
2013
as Himself
The Last Dance: RAW
1999
as Himself / Mike Nelson
Rifftrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2015
2015
as Himself
The Year of Laughing Dangerously
as Joel Williams
RiffTrax Live: The Return of Swamp Thing
2022
as Self
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 3
2000
as Mike Nelson
Poopie!
1995
This Is MST3K
1992
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Miami Connection
2015
RiffTrax Live: Octaman
2019
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Mothra
2016
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Amityville - The Evil Escapes
2022
RiffTrax Live: Sharknado 2
2015
as Self
Three Stooges: Greatest Routines
1964
as Michael J. Nelson
RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who – The Five Doctors
2017
as Self
Rifftrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2016
2016
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space
2009
as Self
Rifftrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
2013
as Self
Rifftrax Live: Starship Troopers
2013
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Timecop
2025
as Self
Santa's Village of Madness
2012
as Self
Rifftrax Live: Samurai Cop
2017
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Godzilla
2014
as Self
RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted Hill
2010
as himself
Rifftrax Live: Carnival of Souls
2016
1st Annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Summer Blockbuster Review
1997
as Mike Nelson
RiffTrax Live: "Manos" the Hands of Fate
2012
as Self
Max the Hero
2007
as Stew (voice)
RiffTrax Live: Hobgoblins
2021
as Self
RiffTrax Live: MST3K Reunion
2016
as Self
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 1
1998
as Mike Nelson
RiffTrax Live: Night of the Living Dead
2013
as Self
RiffTrax: Super Zeroes
2025
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Giant Spider Invasion
2019
as Self
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Motion Picture Odyssey
2013
as Himself
Rifftrax Live: The Room
2015
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Birdemic - Shock and Terror
2012
as Himself
The Rifftrax Yule Log
2018
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Christmas Shorts-stravaganza!
2009
as Himself
Poopie Parade of Values
1995
as Mike Nelson
RiffTrax Live: Sharknado
2014
as Himself
MST3K Little Gold Statue Preview Special
1995
as Mike Nelson
RiffTrax Live: Time Chasers
2016
as Self
GrimTrax Returns
2026
as Self
Rifftrax Live: Jack the Giant Killer
2011
The Film Crew: Killers from Space
2007
as Self
The Film Crew: Wild Women of Wongo
2007
as Self
Hunks of Junk
2026
as Self
The Film Crew: The Giant of Marathon
2007
as Self
The Three Stooges in Color
2005
RiffTrax: Pressure Point
as Himself
The Film Crew: Hollywood After Dark
as Self
About Michael J. Nelson
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 Re… With 67 credits spanning from 1964 to 2026, Michael J. Nelson has appeared in 63 films and 4 TV shows.
Fans searching for Michael J. Nelson movies, Michael J. Nelson filmography, or the latest projects starring Michael J. Nelson can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Michael J. Nelson Movies
- Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996) — as Mike Nelson
- RiffTrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach Party (2017) — as Self
- RiffTrax Live: RAD (2023) — as Self
- RiffTrax Live: Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny (2015)
- RiffTrax Live: Star Raiders (2019) — as Self
Where to Watch Michael J. Nelson Films
Most Michael J. Nelson movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Michael J. Nelson, check our movies catalogue and browse page.