
Michael J. Nelson
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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
Credits

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996)
as Mike Nelson
Poopie! (1995)
Actor

RiffTrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2013 (2013)
as Himself

RiffTrax Live: RAD (2023)
as Self

The Last Dance: RAW (1999)
as Himself / Mike Nelson

Rifftrax Live: Samurai Cop (2017)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: "Manos" the Hands of Fate (2012)
as Self

This Is MST3K (1992)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Sharknado 2 (2015)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Timecop (2025)
as Self

Rifftrax Live: The Room (2015)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach Party (2017)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Octaman (2019)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Godzilla (2014)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Mothra (2016)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus (2014)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Point Break (2024)
as Self

Hunks of Junk (2026)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Space Mutiny (2018)
as Self
Poopie Parade of Values (1995)
as Mike Nelson

GrimTrax (2024)
as Self

Rifftrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2015 (2015)
as Himself

The Year of Laughing Dangerously (—)
as Joel Williams

Rifftrax Live: Reefer Madness (2010)
Actor

RiffTrax Live: MST3K Reunion (2016)
as Self

RiffTrax: Super Zeroes (2025)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny (2015)
Actor

RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted Hill (2010)
as himself

MST3K Little Gold Statue Preview Special (1995)
as Mike Nelson

Rifftrax Live: Starship Troopers (2013)
as Self

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 1 (1998)
as Mike Nelson
Max the Hero (2007)
as Stew (voice)
Three Stooges: Greatest Routines (1964)
as Michael J. Nelson

Rifftrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2016 (2016)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space (2009)
as Self

GrimTrax Returns (2026)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: The Return of Swamp Thing (2022)
as Self

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 2 (1999)
as Mike Nelson

RiffTrax Live: Hobgoblins (2021)
as Self

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Motion Picture Odyssey (2013)
as Himself
Santa's Village of Madness (2012)
as Self

The Film Crew: Killers from Space (2007)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Miami Connection (2015)
Actor

Rifftrax Live: Carnival of Souls (2016)
Actor

RiffTrax Live: Christmas Shorts-stravaganza! (2009)
as Himself

RiffTrax Live: Night of the Living Dead (2013)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who – The Five Doctors (2017)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Star Raiders (2019)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Birdemic - Shock and Terror (2012)
as Himself

Rifftrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (2013)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Time Chasers (2016)
as Self
1st Annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Summer Blockbuster Review (1997)
as Mike Nelson

RiffTrax Live: Sharknado (2014)
as Himself

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 3 (2000)
as Mike Nelson

Rifftrax Live: Jack the Giant Killer (2011)
Actor

RiffTrax Live: Amityville - The Evil Escapes (2022)
Actor
The Three Stooges in Color (2005)
Actor

The Film Crew: The Giant of Marathon (2007)
as Self

RiffTrax Live: Giant Spider Invasion (2019)
as Self

The Film Crew: Wild Women of Wongo (2007)
as Self
RiffTrax: Pressure Point (—)
as Himself

The Rifftrax Yule Log (2018)
as Self

The Film Crew: Hollywood After Dark (—)
as Self




