Judd Nelson

Judd Asher Nelson (born November 28, 1959) is an American actor, screenwriter, and producer. He is known for his roles as John Bender in The Breakfast Club, Alec Newbary in St. Elmo's Fire, Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime in The Transformers: The Movie and Transformers: Animated, Nick Peretti in New Jack City, Billy Beretti in Empire, and Jack Richmond in Suddenly Susan.

Early life

Nelson was born in Portland, Maine, the son of Merle (née Royte), a court mediator and former member of the Maine state legislature, and Leonard Nelson, a corporate lawyer. His family is Jewish, and his father was the first Jewish president of the Portland Symphony Orchestra. He has two sisters, Eve and Julie. He went to school at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, and Waynflete School in Portland, Maine, and studied at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, leaving during his sophomore year. He subsequently moved to Manhattan to study acting with Stella Adler.

Career

1980s

Nelson began acting in the mid-1980s, starring in Making the Grade (1984) and Fandango (1985), the latter in which he starred opposite a young Kevin Costner. It was his roles in John Hughes's The Breakfast Club (1985) and Joel Schumacher's St. Elmo's Fire (1985) - and his affiliation with the Brat Pack - that made Nelson a star (along with Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Molly Ringwald, and Ally Sheedy). The St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion) music video - also directed by Joel Schumacher - reached #1 in the USA (1985) written by David Foster and John Parr and performed by John Parr; Nelson appears in the video. A subsequent article in New York magazine, which focused primarily on the success of these films, resulted in the term "Brat Pack" being coined.

Podcasts:

Famous quotes by Judd Nelson:

"do tou think i would speak for you? i dont even know your language"
"Does Barry Manilow know you raid his wardrobe?"
"[Why? Because cutting off the crust is wimpy. Want proof? Watch] The Breakfast Club. ... with the crust cut off."
"I like every single actor or actress in the world, because we never know what the conditions are like when they are working. I give everyone the benefit of the doubt and root for them like a psychotic sports fan."
"I put less stock in others' opinions than my own. No one else's opinions could derail me."
"I'm involved with Recording Artists and Actors Against Drunk Driving. I'm also involved with most children's causes, because children can't help the environment they're in."
"Ice T was just a pleasure to work with. He was a smart gentleman."
"I find it very difficult to relax. I find it increasingly difficult to find outlets for my frustration."
"I am very grateful to make my living doing what I would do for free."
"Death is not my best subject."
"I like the way the old Toyotas look."
"With failure, you just try again."
"Remember to be as smart as you are."
"It's great to work with people that you like, any job, no matter what you do."
"A fancy watch, it's completely unnecessary. I just need a watch to tell the right time."
"Heroes always make the right decision; I find that seldom happens in my life."
"The movie that's had the most effect on me is Jaws. To this day when I'm in the ocean, I'm hearing that music."
PLAYLIST TIME:

Latest News for: Judd Nelson

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In a post-SXSW funk? Recover with some punk from a list of 17 Austin concerts this weekend

Austin American-Statesman 20 Mar 2025
... consists of Andrew Trube (Greyhounds), Scrappy Judd Newcomb (the Loose Diamonds, the Resentments), Matt Hubbard (Willie Nelson, 7 Walkers), Russell Lee (Greyhounds) and Drew Scherger (Uncle Lucius).
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‘The Breakfast Club’: 40 Years Later And Viewers Can’t Forget About It

The Harvard Crimson 11 Mar 2025
Regardless, when watching Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, and Ally Sheedy on screen, it is clear why the kids of the ’80s saw themselves or discovered who they wanted to be through “The Breakfast Club.”.
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Michael Strahan shares surprising detail about his past with GMA co-stars

Monsters & Critics 11 Mar 2025
“Ok ... “I graduated with a class of two ... According to Will, the film’s main cast members, Milly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Ali Sheedy, and Anthony Michael Hall, will reunite at the Chicago Comic Convention next month ... ....
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Legendary eighties film star looks unrecognisable as he transforms into villain for hit action series ...

The Daily Mail 04 Mar 2025
A legendary eighties film star has been transformed into a villain for a hit action series and looks unrecognisable ... It included Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Molly Ringwald, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy and Judd Nelson ... One penned on X ... .
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