Michael J. Nelson

Michael J. Nelson. An American writer, comedian, and actor best known for his central role in the long-running cult television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K). As the head writer and later the on-screen host, he became famous for delivering rapid-fire comedic commentary on notoriously bad B-movies. Following the show's initial run, he co-founded the media company Rifftrax, which continues the tradition of comedic movie riffing for a wide array of films, cementing his legacy as a pioneer of participatory media comedy.

Early life and education

Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he developed an early interest in comedy and writing. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, where he studied English literature and began performing with a comedy troupe. After graduating, he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, a city with a vibrant comedy scene centered around institutions like the Brave New Workshop. There, he worked various jobs while pursuing comedy, eventually connecting with the local public television station KTCA-TV, which would prove instrumental to his future career.

Career

His major break came when he was hired as a writer for the fledgling series Mystery Science Theater 3000 on KTMA, the forerunner to Comedy Central. He quickly rose to become the show's head writer, contributing to its signature blend of satire, pop culture references, and surreal humor. In 1993, during the show's transition to the Sci-Fi Channel, he succeeded Joel Hodgson as the on-screen host, playing a new character trapped on the Satellite of Love. This era of the show, which included experiments like MST3K: The Movie, saw it gain a massive cult following and critical acclaim, including a Peabody Award. After the series ended in 1999, he, along with fellow writers Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy, launched Rifftrax in 2006, offering downloadable audio commentaries for mainstream Hollywood blockbusters like Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and classic films such as Casablanca.

Filmography and television work

His on-screen work is dominated by his tenure on Mystery Science Theater 3000, where he appeared in hundreds of episodes across its run on Comedy Central and the Sci-Fi Channel. He also starred in and co-wrote the feature film MST3K: The Movie. Beyond MST3K, he created and hosted the series Film Crew for Shout! Factory. He has made guest appearances on programs like The Daily Show and provided voice work for animated series and video games, including the ESPN series Cheap Seats. His Rifftrax productions have expanded into live Fathom Events broadcasts in theaters nationwide, often featuring riffs on popular films like The Room and Twilight.

Writing and other media

A prolific author, he has written several books of humor and memoir, including *Mike Nelson's Movie Megacheese* and the autobiographical *Mind Over Matters*. He was a longtime contributor to the magazine The Onion and its website, The A.V. Club. His written work often extends his comedic critique to broader American culture and the film industry. In the realm of podcasting, he has hosted and contributed to various shows, further engaging with his audience. The Rifftrax platform itself represents a significant digital media venture, distributing content through its website and major platforms like Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.

Personal life

He is married to Bridget Jones Nelson, and they have two children. The family resides in Nashville, Tennessee, which has become the base of operations for Rifftrax. An avid fan of ice hockey, he often references the sport in his comedy and has participated in charity events. He maintains a relatively private life, focusing his public efforts on his creative projects and live performances, including national tours with his Rifftrax colleagues.

Category:American comedians Category:American television writers Category:American male actors Category:1964 births Category:Living people