Personal Info
Known For:
Writing
Birthday:
October 11, 1964
Place of Birth:
St. Charles, Illinois
Social Media
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
Filmography
| Year | TV Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Total Riff Off | |
| 2001 | The Adventures of Edward the Less | The Noble One (voice) |
| 1989 | Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Valeria |
| 1989 | Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Mike Nelson |
| 1989 | Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Torgo |
| 1989 | Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Tony Travis (voice) |
| 1989 | Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Morrissey |
| 1989 | Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Officer Mike |
| 1989 | Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Holo-Clown |
| 1989 | Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Imperialistic Alien |
| 1989 | Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Isaac Asimov Literary Doomsday Device (voice) |
| 1989 | Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Kenny |
| 1989 | Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Megaweapon (voice) |
| 1989 | Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Frank Sinatra (voice) |
| 1989 | Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Virtual comedy heckler (voice) |
| 1989 | Mystery Science Theater 3000 | Baywatch characters (voice) |