Mike Nelson

Mike Nelson
Name	Mike Nelson
Birth name	Michael J. Nelson
Birth date	3 October 1964
Birth place	Wausau, Wisconsin, U.S.
Occupation	Writer, Comedian, Actor, Television host
Years active	1988–present
Known for	Mystery Science Theater 3000, Rifftrax, Film Crew
Spouse	Bridget Jones, 1991

Mike Nelson is an American writer, comedian, and performer best known as the second host of the cult television series Mystery Science Theater 3000. Succeeding Joel Hodgson, he served as head writer and the in-theater host from 1993 until the show's initial cancellation in 1999, delivering comedic commentary alongside the robotic characters Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo. Following the series, he co-founded the media company Rifftrax, which produces downloadable audio commentaries for modern films and television shows, and has hosted several other projects including The Film Crew and the National Geographic series The Great American Road Trip.

Early life and education

Michael J. Nelson was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, and grew up in the nearby town of Mosinee. He developed an early interest in comedy and writing, influenced by classic television and film. Nelson attended the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, where he studied English literature and began performing with improvisational comedy groups. After graduating, he moved to Minneapolis with aspirations of a career in comedy writing, where he initially worked in advertising and performed at the renowned comedy theater Brave New Workshop.

Career

Nelson's career breakthrough came when he was hired as a writer for the first season of Mystery Science Theater 3000 on the Comedy Central network. He quickly became a key creative force, contributing to the show's signature style of cinematic mockery. Upon the departure of original host Joel Hodgson in 1993, Nelson assumed the on-screen role of the stranded test subject, leading the series through its move to the Sci-Fi Channel and its peak popularity. After the show ended, he, along with former co-stars Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy, launched Rifftrax in 2006, pioneering a direct-to-fan model for comedic audio commentaries on blockbusters like *Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace* and *Twilight*. He has also authored several books, including the novel *Mike Nelson's Death Rat!* and the memoir *Mind Over Matters*.

Filmography

Nelson's film work is primarily centered around projects featuring comedic riffing. He starred in and co-wrote the feature film Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie in 1996, which was distributed by Universal Pictures. Through Rifftrax, he has participated in live theatrical broadcast events such as *Rifftrax Live: The Room* and *Rifftrax Live: Miami Connection*. Other credits include the direct-to-video series The Film Crew, where he and his colleagues provided commentary for forgotten educational and industrial films, and a cameo appearance in the comedy film The Onion Movie.

Television appearances

Beyond his defining role on Mystery Science Theater 3000, Nelson has made numerous television appearances. He hosted the National Geographic Channel reality series The Great American Road Trip in 2009. He has been a guest on talk shows including Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Adam Carolla Show. Nelson also provided voice work for the animated series The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and appeared in the Netflix revival of *Mystery Science Theater 3000* in a cameo capacity. His Rifftrax specials have frequently aired on platforms like Pluto TV and the Shout! Factory TV network.

Awards and nominations

For his work on Mystery Science Theater 3000, Nelson shared in a Peabody Award bestowed upon the series in 1993. The program was also nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing during his tenure. In 2017, the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films honored the *Mystery Science Theater 3000* revival, in which he was involved, with a nomination for Best New Media Television Series.

Personal life

Nelson married Bridget Jones in 1991, and the couple has two children. He is an avid motorcyclist and has written about his passion for riding in articles for magazines such as Cycle World. A longtime resident of Minnesota, he is also a noted fan of the Green Bay Packers and maintains a relatively private life outside of his prolific creative output with Rifftrax and various writing projects.

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