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…

Movies & TV Shows

1. Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996) — Mike Nelson
2. Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1989) — Valeria
3. RiffTrax Live: Miami Connection (2015)
4. RiffTrax Live: Birdemic - Shock and Terror (2012) — Himself
5. RiffTrax Live: Sharknado (2014) — Himself
6. RiffTrax Live: Godzilla (2014) — Self
7. Rifftrax Live: Samurai Cop (2017) — Self
8. RiffTrax Live: Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny (2015)
9. RiffTrax Live: "Manos" the Hands of Fate (2012) — Self
10. RiffTrax Live: Mothra (2016) — Self
11. RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted Hill (2010) — himself
12. RiffTrax Live: MST3K Reunion (2016) — Self
13. RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space (2009) — Self
14. RiffTrax Live: Octaman (2019) — Self
15. Rifftrax Live: The Room (2015) — Self
16. RiffTrax Live: Sharknado 2 (2015) — Self
17. RiffTrax Live: Christmas Shorts-stravaganza! (2009) — Himself
18. Rifftrax Live: Reefer Madness (2010)
19. RiffTrax Live: Time Chasers (2016) — Self
20. RiffTrax Live: Summer Shorts Beach Party (2017) — Self
21. Total Riff Off (2014)
22. RiffTrax Live: Hobgoblins (2021) — Self
23. RiffTrax Live: Night of the Living Dead (2013) — Self
24. RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who – The Five Doctors (2017) — Self
25. Rifftrax Live: Starship Troopers (2013) — Self
26. Rifftrax Live: Carnival of Souls (2016)
27. Rifftrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2015 (2015) — Himself
28. Rifftrax Live: Night of the Shorts - SF Sketchfest 2016 (2016) — Self
29. RiffTrax Live: The Return of Swamp Thing (2022) — Self
30. GrimTrax (2024) — Self
31. Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 2 (1999) — Mike Nelson
32. Mystery Science Theater 3000: Shorts, Volume 3 (2000) — Mike Nelson
33. Rifftrax Live: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (2013) — Self
34. Poopie! (1995)
35. Three Stooges: Greatest Routines (1964) — Michael J. Nelson
36. RiffTrax Live: Space Mutiny (2018) — Self
37. RiffTrax Live: Santa Claus (2014) — Self
38. RiffTrax Live: Giant Spider Invasion (2019) — Self
39. RiffTrax Live: Timecop (2025) — Self
40. Max the Hero (2007) — Stew (voice)

Directed

1. Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1989) — Director
2. RiffTrax Live: MST3K Reunion (2016) — Director
3. RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who – The Five Doctors (2017) — Director
4. GrimTrax (2024) — Director
5. 2nd Annual Mystery Science Theater 3000 Summer Blockbuster Review (1998) — Director
6. Santa's Village of Madness (2012) — Director