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IMDbPro

Michael James Nelson

  • Producer
  • Writer
  • Actor
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Comedian Michael James Nelson
From producing The Bachelor on ABC to writing for the hit NBC show Betty White's Off Their Rockers to writing comedy for Kevin Hart, Will Ferrell, Amy Schumer, Jason Bateman, and many other celebrities, Michael James Nelson's career is one of range and distinguished talent. Michael also has extensive experience in show development, production, post production, and marketing, which has given him a very unique perspective on the process of making and delivering a television show.

As a Television Producer, Michael has worked on many different types of reality shows, both in development, the field, and in post-production. Some of these shows include The Bachelor, Jersey Shore, Southern Charm, The Challenge, Temptation Island, and Vanderpump Villa

As a Television Writer, Michael was a staff writer for the WWE (Raw and Smackdown) and the hit NBC show Betty White's Off Their Rockers. He has also served as a writer on the MTV Movie Awards, the VMAs, The People's Choice Awards, and was head writer on Movie Night with Karlie Kloss which aired on Freeform (ABC). Most recently, Michael won best script at the 2023 British Urban Film Festival for a one-hour drama he wrote with writer/director Lara Genovese.

As a Promo and Copywriter, Michael has written many different types of custom, co-branded content, and commercials for upcoming blockbuster releases from Warner Brothers, Sony Pictures, Fox Studios, and many others. As a staff promo writer for Viacom, Michael won a Telly and Gold PromaxBDA Marketing Award for his work on 21 Jump Street commercials starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum.

As a Performer, Michael starred in a national commercial for Lays Chips, several regional commercials, and appeared with Dwayne Johnson on the 2017 People's Choice Awards. Michael also has ten years of experience performing stand-up, was featured by Funny or Die as a performer, and won several awards at film festivals for writing and co-starring in the short film Michael Peterson along with writer/actress Guerrin Gardner.
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos4

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    Known for

    Don Cheadle in Sacks West (2011)
    Sacks West
    5.7
    Short
    • Michael James
    • 2011
    Robert Downey Jr., Kevin Hart, and Shailene Woodley in 2015 MTV Movie Awards (2015)
    2015 MTV Movie Awards
    4.3
    TV Special
    • Writer
    • 2015
    Michael Peterson (2017)
    Michael Peterson
    Short
    • Producer
    • 2017
    Betty White's Off Their Rockers (2012)
    Betty White's Off Their Rockers
    7.2
    TV Series
    • Producer

    Credits

    Edit
    IMDbPro

    Producer



    • When Women Ruled the World
      • associate story producer (as Michael Nelson)
      • Released
      • TV Series
      • 2008
    • The Pink House
      • Consulting Producer
      • Completed
      • Short



    • Jake Cornish, Izzy Fairthorne, Olivia Kaiser, Justin Hinsley, Chris 'C.T.' Tamburello, Blue Kim, Dee Valladares, Leonardo Dionicio, Johnny 'Bananas' Devenanzio, Cara Maria Sorbello, and Leroy Garrett in The Challenge (1998)
      The Challenge
      8.1
      TV Series
      • field producer
      • 2021–2025
    • Luann de Lesseps, Ashley Darby, Shannon Storms Beador, and Gizelle Bryant in Bravo's Love Hotel (2025)
      Bravo's Love Hotel
      6.3
      TV Series
      • consulting producer
      • 2025
    • Aneesa Ferreira, Shane Landrum, Nany González, Leroy Garrett, Ashley Mitchell, Turabi Çamkiran, Da'Vonne Rogers, and Devin Walker in The Challenge: All Stars (2021)
      The Challenge: All Stars
      8.2
      TV Series
      • field producer
      • 2024–2025
    • The Summit (2024)
      The Summit
      5.3
      TV Series
      • consulting producer
      • 2024
    • The Sh!t Show (2024)
      The Sh!t Show
      Short
      • executive producer
      • 2024
    • Vanderpump Villa (2024)
      Vanderpump Villa
      5.2
      TV Series
      • field producer
      • 2024
    • Cassidy Clark, Jonna Mannion, Johnny 'Bananas' Devenanzio, Cory Wharton, Tiffany Mitchell, Desi Williams, Josh Martinez, and Tyler Crispen in The Challenge: USA (2022)
      The Challenge: USA
      7.2
      TV Series
      • field producer
      • 2023
    • Queens Court (2023)
      Queens Court
      6.2
      TV Series
      • Consulting Producer
      • 2023
    • Kaz Kamwi, Mark Wright, and Nathan Henry in The Challenge: UK (2023)
      The Challenge: UK
      7.0
      TV Series
      • field producer
      • 2023
    • The Challenge: Australia (2022)
      The Challenge: Australia
      7.1
      TV Series
      • field producer
      • 2022
    • Snack vs. Chef (2022)
      Snack vs. Chef
      5.4
      TV Series
      • story producer
      • 2022
    • Southern Charm (2013)
      Southern Charm
      6.7
      TV Series
      • story producer
      • 2022
    • All Star Shore (2022)
      All Star Shore
      5.5
      TV Series
      • consulting producer
      • 2022
    • Temptation Island (2019)
      Temptation Island
      6.1
      TV Series
      • story producer
      • 2019–2021
    • Party Down South Shorts (2018)
      Party Down South Shorts
      TV Series
      • producer
      • 2018

    Writer



    • The Sh!t Show (2024)
      The Sh!t Show
      Short
      • Writer
      • 2024
    • Temptation Island (2019)
      Temptation Island
      6.1
      TV Series
      • writer
      • script writer
      • 2021
    • Michael James Nelson, Luke Stratte-McClure, Eddie Ruiz, and Jean Altadel in Partly Entertainers (2020)
      Partly Entertainers
      TV Movie
      • written by
      • 2020
    • John Cena, Randy Orton, Tiffany Stratton, Cody Rhodes, Ashley Fliehr, Savelina Fanene, and Bianca Belair in WWE Smackdown! (1999)
      WWE Smackdown!
      7.3
      TV Series
      • writer
      • 2019
    • Rey Mysterio, Walter Hahn, CM Punk, Gionna Daddio, and Demi Bennett in WWE Raw (1993)
      WWE Raw
      7.7
      TV Series
      • writer
      • 2019
    • Mark Calaway, Shane McMahon, AJ Styles, Joe Seanoa, Rami Sebei, Colby Lopez, Rebecca Quin, Drew McIntyre, Kofi Kingston, Trevor Mann, Joe Anoa'i, Tom Pestock, and Macey Estrella in WWE: Extreme Rules (2019)
      WWE: Extreme Rules
      6.6
      TV Special
      • writer
      • 2019
    • Joe Anoa'i in WWE Stomping Grounds (2019)
      WWE Stomping Grounds
      6.0
      TV Special
      • writer
      • 2019
    • Bill Goldberg and Mark Calaway in WWE Super Show-Down (2019)
      WWE Super Show-Down
      4.8
      TV Special
      • writer
      • 2019
    • Rebecca Quin in WWE Money in the Bank (2019)
      WWE Money in the Bank
      6.4
      TV Special
      • writer
      • 2019
    • Temptation Island - Versuchung im Paradies
      5.7
      TV Series
      • Writer
      • 2019
    • Movie Night With Karlie Kloss (2017)
      Movie Night With Karlie Kloss
      6.0
      TV Series
      • writer
      • 2017–2018
    • Michael Peterson (2017)
      Michael Peterson
      Short
      • Writer
      • 2017
    • The 43rd Annual People's Choice Awards (2017)
      The 43rd Annual People's Choice Awards
      5.3
      TV Special
      • Writer
      • 2017
    • The Real World (1992)
      The Real World
      5.3
      TV Series
      • Writer
      • 2016
    • Robert Downey Jr., Kevin Hart, and Shailene Woodley in 2015 MTV Movie Awards (2015)
      2015 MTV Movie Awards
      4.3
      TV Special
      • consultant
      • 2015

    Actor



    • The Sh!t Show (2024)
      The Sh!t Show
      Short
      • Dan
      • 2024
    • Michael James Nelson, Luke Stratte-McClure, Eddie Ruiz, and Jean Altadel in Partly Entertainers (2020)
      Partly Entertainers
      TV Movie
      • Floyd
      • 2020
    • Paul Guyet and Hillary Baack in You & Me (2018)
      You & Me
      6.9
      • Jack
      • 2018
    • Michael Peterson (2017)
      Michael Peterson
      Short
      • Michael Peterson
      • 2017
    • Rally (2015)
      Rally
      TV Series
      • Doc
      • 2016
    • Hollywood Musical! (2015)
      Hollywood Musical!
      6.5
      • Michael (as Michael Nelson)
      • 2015
    • Chelsea (2014)
      Chelsea
      6.7
      • Freddy
      • 2014
    • On the Movies with Luis and DeSanto
      Short
      • Richard DeSanto
      • 2014
    • Sketchy (2012)
      Sketchy
      7.3
      TV Series
      • George Washington
      • Terry
      • Whacky Narrator
      • 2012
    • Walk & Talk - The West Wing Reunion: Behind the Scenes
      7.5
      Short
      • White House Staffer
      • 2012
    • Martin Sheen in Walk & Talk: The West Wing Reunion (2012)
      Walk & Talk: The West Wing Reunion
      7.6
      Short
      • White House Staffer
      • 2012
    • The Last Supper
      Short
      • Philip
      • 2012
    • Behind the Scenes of Sacks West (2011)
      Behind the Scenes of Sacks West
      5.0
      Video
      • 2011
    • Don Cheadle in Sacks West (2011)
      Sacks West
      5.7
      Short
      • Michael James
      • 2011
    • The Matthew Morrison Story
      7.3
      Short
      • Bailiff
      • 2011

    Personal details

    Edit
    • Alternative name
      • Michael Nelson
    • Height
      • 6′ 1½″ (1.87 m)
    • Other works
      My Jewish Life

    Self-verified on IMDbPro

    • Gender / Gender identity
      • Male

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