Judd Nelson

Judd Asher Nelson was born on November 28, 1959, in Portland, Maine. He attended St. Paul’s preparatory school in Concord, New Hampshire, and later majored in philosophy at Haverford College in Pennsylvania. His interest in acting emerged when he auditioned for a role, initially accompanying a friend, and successfully secured the part. Following his college years, Nelson moved to New York City to further his training at the Stella Adler Conservatory. His early career saw him cast in roles such as Eddie Keaton in the comedy “Making the Grade” (1984) and Phil Hicks in the ensemble comedy “Fandango” (1985).

Nelson’s career gained significant momentum in 1985 with his starring roles in two “Brat Pack” films: “The Breakfast Club” and “St. Elmo’s Fire.” His portrayal of the rebellious John Bender in “The Breakfast Club” became particularly memorable. He also voiced Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime in “The Transformers: The Movie” (1986). Throughout the late 1980s, Nelson took on diverse roles, including that of Joe Hunt in the biographical television miniseries “Billionaire Boys Club” (1987), for which he received a Golden Globe Award nomination. His film credits expanded with projects like “From the Hip” (1987) and “Relentless” (1989), showcasing his versatility.

The 1990s brought further significant work, including roles in “New Jack City” (1991), “Airheads” (1994), and “Steel” (1997). He also ventured into writing and producing with the thriller “Every Breath” (1994), in which he co-starred. Nelson maintained a notable presence in television, securing a main role as Jack Richmond in the NBC sitcom “Suddenly Susan” from 1996 to 1999. In the 2000s and 2010s, he continued to appear in various films and television series, including “The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day” (2009) and a recurring role in “Empire” (2015-2019). He reprised his voice role as Rodimus Prime in animated series such as “Transformers: Titans Return” (2017-2018) and authored several books on Kindle in 2013.