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 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.
Acted in
RiffTrax: Super Zeroes
2025
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Point Break
2024
as Self
GrimTrax
2024
as Self
RiffTrax Live: RAD
2023
as Self
RiffTrax Live: The Return of Swamp Thing
2022
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Amityville - The Evil Escapes
2022
RiffTrax Live: Hobgoblins
2021
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Giant Spider Invasion
2019
as Mike
RiffTrax Live: Star Raiders
2019
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Octaman
2019
as Self
The Rifftrax Yule Log
2018
as Himself
RiffTrax Live: Space Mutiny
2018
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who – The Five Doctors
2017
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach Party
2017
as Himself
Rifftrax Live: Samurai Cop
2017
as Himself
Rifftrax Live: Carnival of Souls
2016
RiffTrax Live: Mothra
2016
as Himself
RiffTrax Live: MST3K Reunion
2016
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Time Chasers
2016
as Himself
Rifftrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2016
2016
as Himself
RiffTrax Live: Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny
2015
RiffTrax Live: Miami Connection
2015
RiffTrax Live: Sharknado 2
2015
as Himself
Rifftrax Live: The Room
2015
as Himself
Rifftrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2015
2015
as Himself
RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus
2014
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Godzilla
2014
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Sharknado
2014
as Himself
Total Riff Off
2014
Rifftrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
2013
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Night of the Living Dead
2013
as Self
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Motion Picture Odyssey
2013
as Himself
Rifftrax Live: Starship Troopers
2013
as Self
RiffTrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2013
2013
as Himself
RiffTrax Live: Birdemic - Shock and Terror
2012
as Himself
RiffTrax Live: "Manos" the Hands of Fate
2012
as Self
RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted Hill
2010
as himself
Rifftrax Live: Reefer Madness
2010
RiffTrax Live: Christmas Shorts-stravaganza!
2009
as Himself
RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space
2009
as Self
Max the Hero
2007
as Stew (voice)
The Adventures of Edward the Less
2001
as The Noble One (voice)
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 3
2000
as Mike Nelson
The Last Dance: RAW
1999
as Himself / Mike Nelson
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 2
1999
as Mike Nelson
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 1
1998
as Mike Nelson
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie
1996
as Mike Nelson
Poopie!
1995
Poopie Parade of Values
1995
as Mike Nelson
MST3K Little Gold Statue Preview Special
1995
as Mike Nelson
Mystery Science Theater 3000
1989
as Mike Nelson
Mystery Science Theater 3000
1989
as Gamera
Mystery Science Theater 3000
1989
as Torgo
Mystery Science Theater 3000
1989
as Tony Travis (voice)
Mystery Science Theater 3000
1989
as Officer Mike
Mystery Science Theater 3000
1989
as Clown
Mystery Science Theater 3000
1989
as Morrissey
Mystery Science Theater 3000
1989
as Imperialistic Alien 1
Three Stooges: Greatest Routines
1964
as Michael J. Nelson
The Year of Laughing Dangerously
as Joel Williams
This Is MST 3K
as Self
Rifftrax: A Talking Cat!?!
as Self
Rifftrax : Red Dawn
