Joel Hodgson is a distinguished American writer, comedian, and television actor, who has made an indelible mark in the entertainment industry with his unique style of humor and creativity. Born on February 20, 1960, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Hodgson was the fourth of eight children in a middle-class family. He grew up in Minnesota and attended college at Bethel University, where he discovered his love for writing and performing comedy.

After graduation, Hodgson moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a stand-up comedian and writer. He landed his breakthrough role on the hit television show, Saturday Night Live, where he contributed as a writer and made several appearances on the show. His comedic genius led to him creating several other shows such as “The TV Wheel” and “The Tracey Ullman Show”.

Hodgson is best known as the creator of the popular television show, “Mystery Science Theater 3000” (MST3K), which he developed in the late 1980s. The show became a cult hit due to its unique combination of science fiction themes and comedy, and Hodgson’s portrayal of the character Joel Robinson garnered him a massive fan following.

Besides his work in the entertainment industry, Hodgson is also an accomplished writer and published his first book, “Mondo Video,” in 1995, which contained his original artwork and short stories. He later released another book called “The Making of MST3K” which gave fans an inside look into the making of the cult classic show.

Joel Hodgson’s contributions to the entertainment industry have left a significant mark, and his unique brand of humor and creativity has inspired a generation of comedians and writers. Even today, his legacy continues to live on through the MST3K reboot and new audiences discovering his work.