What the Hell Happened to Judd Nelson?

In 1985, Judd Nelson starred in two of the top-25 highest-grossing movies of the year.  He was 26 years old.  Nelson was one of the founding members of the Brat Pack, a group of young actors who helped define the decade.  But when the 80’s ended, the Brat Pack actors found themselves scrambling.  Just five years later when the Pack was entering their 30s, they were collectively dealing with irrelevance.  In 2014, Nelson had to deny rumors that he had died.

What the hell happened?

Judd Nelson - Rock and Roll Hotel - 1983
Judd Nelson – Rock and Roll Hotel – 1983

Nelson made his movie debut in a low-budget 3-D musical called Rock’n’Roll Hotel.

Usually, this is where I include a brief summary of the plot.  But even the people responsible for Rock’n’Roll Hotel are hard-pressed to describe what the movie is about.  Very few ever saw a complete copy of the script if in fact a completed script existed.  The movie was made to capitalize on two trends, the rise of MTV and the short-lived 3-D revival of the early 80s.

Nelson’s role is a small one.  He is part of a band called The Third Dimension (because 3-D).  Dick Shawn played the leader of a band from the 50’s who owned the Rock’n’Roll Hotel.  The band, which included a raccoon mascot, tried to kill the members of The Third Dimension to keep them from playing in their hotel!

The movie was backed by a lot of investors with competing motives.  Most viewed the movie as a tax shelter.  They didn’t care whether or not the movie made a dime.  They were expecting to write-off their investment.  Richard Sweet was the father of the lead actress, Rachel Sweet.  He invested in the movie as a way to promote his daughter’s career in music.

Nelson - Rock and Roll Hotel 2
Judd Nelson – Rock and Roll Hotel – 1983

Ultimately, the entire movie “disappeared”.  When the crew left Virginia, no one was entirely certain what happened to the negatives.  According to one of the movie’s co-producers, some of the footage was lost when the lab developing the prints went bankrupt.  In March of ’83, a print of Rock’n’Roll Hotel surfaced and was shown at an industry screening in LA.  Original screenwriter, Russ Dvonch, expressed his disappointment in the movie:

“The awful awfulness of the movie was on several levels of awful-ocity.  The writers, myself included, failed to write a good screenplay. Intense pressure can spark the creative spirit. Or it can push you into writing half-baked crap. Rock ‘N’ Roll Hotel ended up firmly located on the ‘half-baked crap’ end of the scale.”

Following that showing, the movie was bought by Richard Sweet who went back and filmed additional scenes showcasing his daughter.  No one knows if Sweet’s version of the movie ever played in theaters.  But it resurfaced on video in 2010 in the form of a VHS tape produced in 1986.

The Sweet version of the movie which was completed in 1986 is arguably less coherent than the original mess of a movie.  Sweet basically took the first movie and just edited in more musical performances featuring his daughter.  Supposedly, this version of the movie aired at some point on HBO.  But the cable channel denies this claim.

Judd Nelson - Making the Grade
Judd Nelson – Making the Grade

In 1984, Nelson starred in his first “real” movie, the teen comedy, Making the Grade.

Dana Olsen played a lazy rich kid who is about to be cut off from the family money if he doesn’t graduate high school.  His solution is to hire a street-wise kid played by Nelson to assume his identity and attend a new school in his place.

The film’s casting director, Julie Seltzer, originally tried to cast Jim Carrey in the lead role.  She approached Carrey and Andrew “Dice” Clay in the parking lot of a comedy club after watching them perform.  Carrey turned down Nelson’s role, but Clay accepted a part despite being much too old to be believable as a high school student.

Many consider Making the Grade to be the movie debut of both Nelson and Clay.  But technically, Nelson made his debut in the lost Rock’n’Roll Hotel and Clay debuted in a movie called Wacko.  Making the Grade is considered to be the debut of Clay’s Dice character.

The movie ends with the promise of a sequel.  Tourista was supposed to feature the characters touring Europe.  But due to the poor performance of Making the Grade, the sequel was never made.

Kevin Costner and Judd Nelson - Fandango - 1985
Kevin Costner and Judd Nelson – Fandango – 1985

1985 was a big year for Nelson.  It started with Kevin Reynold’s coming-of-age comedy, Fandango.

Kevin Costner, Nelson and Sam Robards starred as recent college grads who embark on a road trip circa 1971.  Costner’s character has broken up with his ex played by model-turned actress Suzy Amis in her acting debut.  Robards’ character is engaged but is having second thoughts about getting married.  Nelson played the friend with a car.

The movie started out as a student film by Reynolds while he was attending USC film school.  Steven Spielberg liked his student film well enough to fund a feature-length version of the movie.  But Spielberg was disappointed in Fandango and had his name removed from the final film.

Costner audition for the lead role in the student film but was not cast.  He auditioned again for the feature-length version and won the part.  He and Reynolds became good friends.  They would go on to collaborate several more times including Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Waterworld.

Robards and Amis also had future collaborations.  Robards, the son of Jason Robards and Lauren Bacall, married Amis in 1986.  They had a son together but divorced in 1994.

Spielberg chose not to give Fandango a wide release despite mostly positive reviews.  Director Quentin Tarrantino has high praise for the movie which he was able to track down during its limited time in theaters:

Fandango is one of the best directorial debuts in the history of cinema. I saw Fandango five times at the movie theater and it only played for a fucking week, all right.”

Over time, the movie has developed a small but loyal cult following.

Judd Nelson - The Breakfast Club - 1985
Judd Nelson – The Breakfast Club – 1985

Later that year, Nelson appeared as part of an ensemble in John Hughes’ coming-of-age drama, The Breakfast Club.

The Breakfast Club was about five high school students from different social groups who bond during detention.  Molly Ringwald played the rich, popular girl.  Nelson played the juvenile delinquent.  Ally Sheedy played the weird outsider and Anthony Michael Hall played the nerd.  Emilio Estevez played the jock.  Despite their differences, the teens come to realize that they have a lot in common.

The cast went through a few changes.  Originally, Ringwald was offered the role of outsider, Allison.  She was upset because she really wanted to play the snooty Claire.  Estevez was originally cast as Bender, the kid from the wrong side of the tracks.  But Hughes was having trouble finding someone to play the part of John the jock.  So Hughes had him switch roles.  Hughes wanted Nicolas Cage to play Bender, but he asked for too much money.  Next, Hughes cast John Cusack in the role.  But he later changed his mind.  Thinking that Cusack didn’t look intimidating enough, Hughes replaced him with Nelson.  Rick Moranis was cast as the janitor, but he left over creative differences with Hughes.

The cast rehearsed the movie several times like a play.  It was shot sequentially and several scenes were improvised.  The scene in which the kids reveal their reasons for being sent to detention was completely unscripted.

Hughes nearly fired Nelson for giving Ringwald a hard time off camera.  But the cast convinced Hughes that Nelson was a really talented actor and that he was just trying to stay in character.  According to Ringwald:

“I think Judd was doing the method actor thing during rehearsals. He was wearing Bender’s clothes and trying to annoy me. I was fine but John Hughes was very protective of me. We ended up having a powwow, led by Ally. I remember her telling me, “We have to get him focused. Like a laser!” I think a bunch of us including myself called John and asked him to reconsider. I am thankful he did.”

Critics were divided on The Breakfast Club.  No seriously, they were.  I know, you’re looking at Rotten Tomatoes where the movie is certified “fresh”.  But go back and read the original reviews from when the movie was released.  For every positive review from someone like Roger Ebert, there’s a critic who was put off by the movie’s teen angst stereotypes like Janey Maslin.  Over time, the movie has become a beloved classic.  But when it was actually released, The Breakfast Club received mixed reviews.

It was however a hit at the box office.  The Breakfast Club opened in third place behind Beverly Hills Cop and Witness.  Third place may not seem great, but the movie was reported to cost about a million dollars and it grossed five times that in its first weekend.  It went on to gross $45 million dollars during its domestic run making it an extremely profitable movie.

Judd Nelson - St Elmo's Fire - 1985
Judd Nelson – St Elmo’s Fire – 1985

Nelson followed up The Breakfast Club by appearing in Joel Schumacher’s coming-of-age drama, St. Elmo’s Fire.

The movie focused on a group of friends who have just graduated from college.  Their relationships are tested as they try to adjust to adulthood.  Estevez played a waiter who romances a hospital intern played by Andie MacDowell.  Andrew McCartrhy played Estevez’s roommate, a writer with a secret crush on Ally Sheedy’s character.  Sheedy and Nelson play a couple of yuppies in an upwardly mobile relationship.  Rob Lowe played a former frat boy who is struggling with family life and Demi Moore played the party girl of the group.  Mare Winningham played the friend who helps all the others out.

Several studios passed on St. Elmo’s Fire.  According to Schumacher, “the head of one major studio called its seven-member cast ‘the most loathsome humans he had ever read on the page.'”  Finding seven young stars proved a challenge.  Hundreds of actors were interviewed.  Sheedy, Estevez and Nelson were recommended to producer  Lauren Shuler Donner by John Hughes.  Schumacher said he had to fight the studio over the casting of Estevez, Nelson, and McCarthy.

St. Elmo’s Fire received mostly negative reviews.  It opened in fourth place at the box office behind Rambo: First Blood Part II which had been in theaters for six weeks.  That doesn’t sound like the most auspicious opening, but St. Elmo’s Fire went on to gross close to $40 million dollars on a $10 million dollar budget.  It cost more and grossed less than The Breakfast Club.  But it was still the 23rd highest grossing movie of the year.  And despite being viewed as inferior to John Hughes’ movie, St. Elmo’s Fire has become a Gen-X favorite on video.

(If you’re a Gen X-er, that song is now stuck in your head.  Sorry about that.)

Brat Pack New York Magazine
New York Magazine – 1985

Just before the release of St. Elmo’s Fire, New York Magazine ran an article titled Hollywood’s Brat Pack.  The author, David Blum, was planning to write and article about Emilio Estevez.  Estevez invited the writer to hang out with him, Nelson and Rob Lowe one night at the Hard Rock Cafe.  After watching the young actors party, Blum decided to change the focus of his article from Estevez to the entire group of young actors.  He coined the term Brat Pack as a derogatory comparison to the Rat Pack of the 60s.

The tone of the article was sneering.  Blum lingered on embarrassing details like Nelson dancing by himself or the lengths Estevez would go to in order to avoid paying for a ticket to see Ladyhawke.  He gripes that the young actors have not studied their craft and points out that none of the core members of the Brat Pack graduated from college.  The article portrays them all as privileged and oblivious.  In short, it sounds like an old person complaining about “kids these days”.

Here’s an excerpt in which Blum describes Nelson keeping the girls at the Hard Rock Cafe at bay:

If Rob Lowe seemed to be inviting all too much attention from the girls, Judd Nelson acted as though he wanted nothing to do with it. His fame, too, helped attract them—they recognized his tough-guy looks from his role as the wrong-way kid in The Breakfast Club and sought his attention. But as Alice sat down in an empty chair next to him, Judd Nelson announced to anyone within earshot, including Alice, “There is a line. When someone crosses the line, I get angry. And when someone sits down at the table, they have crossed the line. You can let them get close”—he looked around at Alice and the swarm of girls—“but you can’t let them sit down.”

In the article, Blum gave the boys of the Brat Pack nicknames.  He called Nelson “The Overrated One.”  Ouch.  Here he describes Nelson dancing alone at a club:

Estevez wandered around the club, and Nelson went to the dance floor, where the tune of the moment was “ABC,” by the Jackson Five. Nobody seemed interested in talking to (author Jay) McInerney. Nelson walked up to one of the loudspeakers and started dancing directly in front of it. But no one was dancing with him, and it was too dark for anyone to notice that there was a movie star dancing with a loudspeaker. So after a few minutes, the anonymity appeared to be too much for him; he sat down with a dejected look and started complaining about what a horrible club it was. Then he suggested they leave.

When the article was released, it sent a shockwave through the group.  Blum was jealous of the young actors and sought to punish them for their carefree lifestyle.  The article and the Brat Pack label attached a stigma to the young Hollywood actors.  Previously, they had been viewed as talented performers who would go on to have long careers.  But after Blum’s article, they were viewed as a bunch of frat boys.  According to Nelson:

“The writer portrayed us as bad people, and we weren’t. We just liked to have fun and I guess that’s not allowed.”

The impact wasn’t just professional.  It also fractured the group’s social dynamic.  According to Sheedy, “The article just destroyed it. I had felt truly a part of something, and that guy just blew it to pieces.”

Even Blum came to regret coining the term Brat Pack.  In 2010, he admitted that he shouldn’t have written the article.

Judd Nelson - Blue City - 1986
Judd Nelson – Blue City – 1986

In 1986, Nelson reteamed with Ally Sheedy in the crime drama, Blue City.

The movie was based on the novel of the same name.  Nelson played a young man who returns to the small town in Florida where he grew up only to discover that his father has been killed.  When the police show no interest in solving the crime, Nelson takes matters into his own hands.

Blue City was the first and only theatrical film directed by Michelle Manning.  It took such a beating from critics that Paramount Pictures executive Dawn Steel defended her to the LA Times:

“I suspect Michelle took her shot at directing too early. I think the experience for Michelle was unbelievably difficult. She may not necessarily have had the experience she needed. She didn’t have the production support we thought we’d be able to supply her with. She was out there pretty much by herself. That’s really tough your first time out. I think Michelle will turn out to have enormous amounts of talent. She kills herself. I never saw anyone work harder, ever. She’s very smart. I think she’ll be one of the few who gets a second chance. I don’t think a first-time male director would have had much more luck than Michelle, given all those things. It had nothing to do with her being a woman”.

Manning agreed:

“I was out there pretty much on my own. In retrospect, I do think the critics were more tough on me than they had to be. I’m not a war criminal. I don’t think many directors’ first films are perfect. Maybe the timing wasn’t right. There was a lot of ‘brat-pack’ backlash”.

Blue City opened in second place at the box office behind Richard Pryor’s Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling.  Three weeks later, it was out of theaters having grossed less than $7 million dollars.

It was also nominated for five Golden Raspberry Awards including Worst Picture, Worst Actor, Worst Actress, Worst Supporting Actor and Worst Director.  But it didn’t “win” any awards.  Nelson “lost” to Prince for Under the Cherry Moon and Sheedy “lost” to Madonna for Shanghai Surprise.

Judd Nelson - Moonlighting - 1986
Judd Nelson – Moonlighting – 1986

Later that year, Nelson guest starred on the second season finale of the hit TV show, Moonlighting.  Whoopi Goldberg also guest starred on the episode as a con-woman who accidentally stops an assassin and becomes a hero.  Series regulars Bruce Willis and Cybil Shepherd hire her at their detective agency for some free publicity.  Nelson played a crooked cop pursuing Goldberg.  It ends as only an episode of Moonlighting can.

Judd Nelson - Shattered If Your Kid's on Drugs - 1986
Judd Nelson – Shattered If Your Kid’s on Drugs – 1986

Later that year, Nelson joined known sobriety-expert, Burt Reynolds, for the anti-drug movie of the week, Shattered If Your Kid’s on Drugs.

Nelson and Reynolds played… get this… narrators.  That’s right.  They aren’t actually acting.  The movie cuts away from the story periodically so Smokey and the Bender can drop some “Just Say No” wisdom on the audience.  The story centers on a pair of suburban teens who buy drugs from a dealer played by Dermot Mulroney.

Judd Nelson - Transformers: The Movie - 1986
Judd Nelson – Transformers: The Movie – 1986

Rounding out 1986, Nelson did voice work on the big screen toy commercial, Transformers: The Movie.

Nelson played Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime who may or may not be the same character.  I don’t know Transformers.  My younger brothers might be able to fill you in on which cars that change into robots are which.  Leonard Nimoy, Eric Idle and Orson Welles also cashed paychecks.  In fact, it is the final movie for both Welles and Scatman Crothers.

Okay, I know some of you 80s kids love your Transformers.  The box office receipts from the Michael Bay movies tell me that much.  But check this out.  This is a quote from the movie’s Wikipedia page:

The film was released on 990 screens in the USA and grossed a respectable $1,778,559 on its opening weekend, between a quarter and a third of the opening weekend gross of Top Gun a few months earlier. However, the box office quickly leveled off and the takings fell slightly short of the budget.

Let’s break this down.  Top Gun grossed over $8 million dollars in its opening weekend on just over 1,000 screens for a first place finish.  Transformers grossed under $2 million dollars on just under 1,000 screens for a fourteenth place finish!  And that’s “respectable”.  Why on earth would you compare box office grosses of Top Gun (the highest grossing movie of 1986) with Transformers (which ranked 99th)?

Just to put this in perspective, that same weekend One Crazy Summer opened on 984 screens (6 screens less than Transformers for the math-impaired) and it grossed nearly twice as much for a fourth-place finish.  When Wikipedia says “box office quickly leveled off” what they mean is it dropped by nearly 50% for the next two weeks and ended up grossing under $6 million dollars.  There’s nothing “respectable” about that.

But nostalgia is a powerful thing.  And kids who grew up with those toys want to remember everything Transformers fondly.

Judd Nelson - From the Hip - 1987
Judd Nelson – From the Hip – 1987

In 1987, Nelson starred opposite Elizabeth Perkins in the legal comedy, From the Hip.

Nelson played a new lawyer who showboats in the courtroom to earn a promotion.  His next case puts his morals to the test when he must defend a client who appears to be guilty.

The screenplay was written by David E. Kelley.  When TV producer Steven Bochco read it, he hired Kelley as head writer for his legal drama, LA Law.

Unfortunately response to the movie wasn’t nearly as positive.  It received negative reviews and tanked at the box office.  It opened in fifth place behind Black Widow.  It did earn over 2.6 million dollars (more than Transformers) on 970 screens (less than Transformers).  And it ended up grossing under $10 million dollars (yep, more than Transformers).

Okay, I’ll let the Transformers thing go now.  Someone update Wikipedia please.

Nelson was nominated for another Golden Raspberry.  This time he lost to Bill (insert joke here) Cosby for Leonard Part 6 which we used to think was his biggest crime against humanity.

Judd Nelson - Billionaires Boys Club - 1987
Judd Nelson – Billionaires Boys Club – 1987

Later that year, Nelson starred in the NBC mini-series, The Billionaire Boys Club.

The movie was based on the true story of the Billionaire Boys Club and its founder, Joe Hunt.  Nelson played Hunt and Ron Silver played wealthy businessman Ron Levin.  Nelson’s character is the prime suspect in the tycoon’s murder.

The real Joe Hunt sued NBC to prevent the mini-series from airing.  He argued that the show would prejudice potential jurors in his upcoming second murder trial.  But the suit was unsuccessful and the series was allowed to air.

The Billionaire Boys Club was nominated for four Emmys and 2 Golden Globes including Best Actor in a Mini-Series or TV Movie for Nelson.  He lost to Randy Quaid for LBJ: The Early Years.

Judd Nelson - Never on a Tuesday - 1989
Judd Nelson – Never on a Tuesday – 1989

In 1989, Nelson  showed up in an uncredited cameo in the indie comedy, Never on a Tuesday.

The movie had a minuscule budget, but Carey Elwes’ brother was the executive producer and the make-up artist was the future wife of Rob Lowe.  With those Brat Pack ties, the movie was able to secure an impressive line-up of cameos.  Nicolas Cage, Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen also made appearances.

Judd Nelson - Relentless - 1989
Judd Nelson – Relentless – 1989

Later that year, Nelson played a serial killer in the thriller, Relentless.

Leo Rossi played the protagonist, a rookie detective transferred from LA to New York.  There, he is paired with a veteran played by Robert Loggia.  Together, they track a serial killer played by Nelson who picks his victims out of the phone book.

By 1989, the Brat Pack backlash was in full swing.  Brat Packers were doing anything they could to distance themselves from their teen images and transition into adult roles.  For Nelson, that meant playing a serial killer in an absolutely ridiculous movie.

Reviews were universally negative.  Relentless opened in 9th place at the box office behind sex, lies and videotape which was in the 5th week of its release.  It ended up grossing under $7 million dollars.  Amazingly, Rossi went on to star in three direct-to-video Relentless sequels between 1992 and 1994!

Judd Nelson - Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes - 1990
Judd Nelson – Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes – 1990

By 1990, Nelson was reduced to TV movies like Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes.  The title pretty much says it all.  This is a TV movie take on the bombing of Hiroshima.  Max Von Sydow played a priest presumably performing exorcisms in Japan until the bomb drops.  Nelson played a soldier who discovers that the enemy is a lot like him.

Entertainment Weekly gave the movie a C- grade and called it a “well-meaning melodrama that is an insult to the memory of this tragic event.”

So, what the hell happened?

Nelson was another victim of the Brat Pack curse.  Just five years after making a splash in The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire, Nelson’s career was done.  He was washed-up.  A has-been.  What’s that?  The article isn’t over yet?  Well what do you know…

Judd Nelson - New Jack City -1991
Judd Nelson – New Jack City -1991

In 1991, Nelson had a minor comeback when he appeared in a supporting role in Mario Van Peebles’ crime drama, New Jack City.

Wesley Snipes starred as drug lord Nino Brown.  Ice T and Nelson played cops trying to bring down Snipes and his gang, the Cash Money Brothers.  Chris Rock showed up as a druggie who turns informant.

Reviews were mostly positive and the movie was a hit at the box office.  It opened in second place behind The Silence of the Lambs which was in its fourth week in theaters.  New Jack City ended up grossing almost $50 million dollars on an $8 million dollar production budget.

As a result of that success, Snipes and Van Peebles became hot properties in Hollywood.  Ice T transitioned from a rapper to an actor.  And Nelson became somewhat relevant again.  The movie also inspired about a decade worth of imitators.

Judd Nelson - The Dark Backward - 1991
Judd Nelson – The Dark Backward – 1991

Later that year, Nelson reunited with his Never on a Tuesday director for the offbeat comedy, The Dark Backward.

Nelson and Bill Paxton play a pair of garbage men.  Paxton plays the accordion and encourages Nelson to pursue stand-up comedy in spite of the fact no one else thinks he is funny.  Laura Flynn Boyle appeared as a waitress Nelson is interested in.  The plot involves Nelson’s character inexplicably growing a third arm.  Wayne Newton, James Caan and Rob Lowe also make appearances.

The Dark Backward was not warmly received by critics who compared it unfavorably to the films of David Lynch.  Reviews were mostly negative, although Janet Maslin of the New York Times singled out Nelson for faint praise:

Mr. Nelson, who confined himself in a small, heated box in order to make sure Marty looks sweaty in the film’s nightclub scenes, cannot be accused of having taken his role lightly. In fact, he gives the film’s best performance, which is not to say anything pleasant about the others.

The movie played in only one theater, the Angelika Film Center, where it grossed less than $30,000.  It was released on video the next year and eventually went out of print.  In 2007, it was rereleased on video and has developed the cult following it is begging for.

Judd Nelson - Tales From the Crypt - 1992
Judd Nelson – Tales From the Crypt – 1992

In 1992, Nelson did what all stars of his status did around that time.  He appeared in an episode of HBO’s long running anthology series, Tales from the Crypt.

The fourth-season episode was called What’s Cookin’.  So right off the bat, you know you’re dealing with cannibalism.  That’s Tales From the Crypt 101.  Christopher Reeve and Bess Armstrong played a couple running a restaurant that has fallen on hard times.

Nelson plays Gaston, a drifter who suggests that maybe Reeve should serve up something other than squid at his restaurant.  Meatloaf shows up as Reeve’s landlord and in a plot twist that mirrors Meatloaf’s role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, he ends up on the menu.

In the entire run of Tales From the Crypt, HBO only gave the show three notes of things that had to be changed.  One of them was for this episode.  HBO objected to Nelson’s character being referred to as “homeless” so he was referred to as a “drifter” instead.  Considering the long run of the show which was filled with objectionable material, this strikes me as a truly mind-boggling request.

Judd Nelson - Primary Motive - 1992
Judd Nelson – Primary Motive – 1992

Later that year, Nelson starred in the made-for-cable political drama, Primary Motive.

Nelson played an ambitious young press secretary for a gubernatorial candidate.  Justine Bateman played his girlfriend who he sends to work on the opposing candidate’s campaign.  She finds some dirt on the competition which Nelson hopes to use to his advantage.

In it’s review of Primary Motive, Entertainment Weekly said, “Piling on the melodrama, the made-for-cablePrimary Motive is supposed to be a scathing indictment of dirty tricks and candidates’ win-no- matter-what-the-cost mentality. But with its shallow good and evil characters and holier-than-thou posturing, the movie is as naive as Nelson’s character.”

Nelson - Conflict of Interest
Judd Nelson – Conflict of Interest – 1993

In 1993, Nelson starred opposite Christopher McDonald and Alyssa Milano in the pulpy crime drama, Conflict of Interest.

McDonald played a cop whose wife is murdered in front of his son’s eyes.  He kills one of the men responsible for the murder in cold blood and gets demoted as a result.  His son goes off to live with his grandparents.  When his son returns years later, he is framed for murder by a gangster played by Nelson.  Milano played Nelson’s stripper girlfriend who draws McDonald’s son into danger.

Nelson - Entangled
Judd Nelson – Entangled – 1993

Later that year, Nelson starred opposite Pierce Brosnan in the thriller, Entangled.

Nelson played a novelist who is injured in a car accident.  Through flashbacks we find out how the car accident happened.  Nelson was involved with a fashion model played by Laurence Treil.  She has submitted his latest novel to a competition anonymously.  A pre-Bond post-Remington Steele Brosnan played a wealthy man of mystery who takes credit for Nelson’s novel.

Judd Nelson and Shannen Doherty - 1993
Judd Nelson and Shannen Doherty – 1993

Nelson’s movie career had cooled off to put it mildly.  But he was still making headlines as a result of a high-profile relationship.  While filming a movie together, Nelson became romantically involved with Beverly Hills 90210 star, Shannen Doherty.  Doherty was at the peak of her popularity and had a hard-partying bad-girl image in the tabloids.  She left her fiance, Dean Factor, to move in with Nelson.

Nelson - Charged With Assualt

Things between Doherty and Factor ended badly.  There were charges of assault.  We’ll get to all of that in WTHH to Shannen Doherty I’m sure.  But one night after her final fight with her ex, Doherty went out on the town with Nelson.  This time, it was Nelson’s turn to get in hot water.  When some young on-lookers taunted Nelson about the state of his career, he got defensive.  He tried to climb over a rail which separated him from his taunters.  While doing so, he kicked a 21-year-old girl in the nose.  Nelson claimed the kick was an accident, but he was charged with assault.

Nelson - No Contest Plea

In October of 1993, Nelson plead “no contest” to the assault charges.  He was put on probation for two years for the misdemeanor charge.

doherty - hamilton

By then, Nelson and Doherty had already broken up.  In fact, in September she married Nelson’s friend, Ashley Hamilton.  Hamilton was the 19-year-old son of actor George Hamilton.  Ironically, Nelson introduced Hamilton to Doherty.  Apparently, Doherty was furious about the break-up and threw herself at Hamilton.  She married him after only knowing each other for two weeks.  Five months later, Doherty filed for divorce.  But more on that train wreck in a future article…

nelson - caroline at midnight

In 1994, Nelson was working a lot.  But it was mostly in movies no one ever heard of.  The first was a little-seen thriller, Caroline at Midnight.

Clayton Rohner (who?) stars as a crime reporter who falls for a femme fatale played by Mia Sara.  Sara is married to a corrupt cop played by Tim Daly.  According to Sara, Daly killed her friend Caroline after ending an affair.  Nelson appears in a supporting role as do Virginia Madsen, Zach Galligan (from Gremlins) and Thomas F. Wilson (Biff from Back to the Future).

Caroline at Midnight was a Roger Corman production that went straight to video.  According to a TV Guide review, “priority goes to steamy sex” as well it should.  The review describes Rohner as “a longtime toiler in the B-movie” who “looks like Tim Robbins on a bad hair day” and describes Sara as “limber”.  Based on the clip I watched purely for research purposes, these statements are accurate.

This clip will probably be taken down, but here it is.  Enjoy it while it lasts.  Warning: the clip is not remotely suitable for work.  Something I discovered the hard way.

Judd Nelson - Every Breath - 1994
Judd Nelson – Every Breath – 1994

Later that year, Nelson starred in another erotic thriller titled Every Breath.

Nelson played a down-on-his-luck actor (type-casting!) who is hired by a rich foreigner to seduce his sexy wife played by Joanna Pacula.  Don’t laugh.  It’s a real job!  But the joke is on Nelson (aren’t they all?).  Because Pacula is in on the scheme.  But even after being beaten up and humiliated, Nelson sticks around.  Soon he is helping the couple torment others.

Nelson was a co-writer on this one.

Judd Nelson - Hail Caesar - 1994
Judd Nelson – Hail Caesar – 1994

Later that year, Nelson reuinted with his Breakfast Club co-star Anthony Michael Hall for the rock-and-roll comedy, Hail Caesar.

Hall made his directorial debut while also starring as a wannabe rocker who works in a pencil eraser factory.  When he falls for his boss’ daughter, he bets his boss that he can make a hundred thousand dollars in six months.  The movie co-stars Hall’s Weird Science co-star, Robert Downey Jr, Samuel L Jackson and Nelson as a convict.

Nelson - Blindfold
Judd Nelson – Blindfold: Acts of Obsession – 1994

Next up was the movie that led to Nelson getting a two year probation sentence, Blindfold: Acts of Obsession.

Doherty starred as a bored housewife looking to spice up her marriage.  Nelson played the psychiatrist who suggests “Why not try a little bondage?”  Meanwhile, her sister is investigating a serial killer who likes to get kinky.  Nelson is the prime suspect.

This is the movie that started Nelson’s relationship with Doherty.  By the time the movie was shown on cable, not only had they broken up but Doherty had married and divorced Nelson’s buddy.  She had also been fired from 90210.

A reviewer for TV Guide wrote:

Blindfold’s ludicrous plotting and leaden direction aren’t helped by Nelson, miscast as usual, or the frequently undraped Doherty, an actress of limited range who fails to generate much steam… In the attempt to transform Doherty’s screen image from “bitch” to “bad girl with a heart of gold,” Blindfold reveals her shortcomings along with her breasts.

Judd Nelson and Brendan Fraser - Airheads - 1994
Judd Nelson and Brendan Fraser – Airheads – 1994

Nelson popped up for a small role in a movie that was actually released in theaters!  He had a cameo in the 1994 rock comedy, Airheads.

Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi and Adam Sandler played members of a rock band called the Lone Rangers.  Nelson played a record executive who refuses to listen to their demo tape.  So the guys take matters into their own hands and inadvertently end up holding a radio station hostage.

It was a small role for Nelson.  But it was his first appearance in a mainstream movie since New Jack City in 1991.  If the movie had been a hit, it might have reminded casting directors that Nelson was still available for roles.  Unfortunately, Airheads was far from a hit.

Airheads got negative reviews and bombed badly at the box office.  It opened at an abysmal tenth place.  Just to put that in perspective, The Little Rascals opened that same weekend at fourth place.  Airheads placed behind Angels in the Outfield which was in its fourth week of release.  It barely outgrossed Speed which was in its ninth week.

Judd Nelson - Flinch - 1994
Judd Nelson – Flinch – 1994

After a brief respite, it was back to low budget thrillers.  Nelson starred opposite Gina Gershon in the movie, Flinch.  

Nelson and Gershon played living mannequins who are not allowed to move while they work.  One day, while modeling clothes in a display window, they witness a murder.

1994 was kind of a rough year for Nelson.  Hopefully 1995 will be better.  (Spoiler: It won’t.)

Nelson - Circumstances Unknown

1995 brought more of the same.  In the TV movie Circumstances Unknown, Nelson played another serial killer.  In this one, he’s a jeweler with a predilection for drowning women.  Although he’s not averse to drowning his own customers, he’s especially partial to terrorizing his childhood friends.  Molly Ringwald better look out!

Nelson - Blackwater Trail

Later that year, Nelson appeared in the Australian TV movie, Blackwater Trail.  Nelson played a writer who returns to Australia where he grew up (HA!) for the funeral of an old friend.  His friend’s sister insists that her brother did not commit suicide.  Nelson investigates and discovers the kind of secrets one uncovers in Australian TV movies.

Yep, it’s official.  Nelson had been downgraded.  He was no longer fit for US made-for-cable-movies.  He was a national export.  I think we got Russell Crowe in exchange.  Not exactly a fair trade.

So, what the hell happened?

Of all the Brat Packers, Nelson was perhaps hardest hit by the backlash.  He was completely incapable of capitalizing on the success of The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire.  And when it came time to move into more mature roles he somehow got typecast as a serial killer in B-movies.

What’s that?  We’re not done yet…  Are you sure?  It feels like this is it.  I mean the guy’s not even making TV movies in the US anymore.  I can’t even find clips.  I’m thinking we’re done here.

As it turns out, we’re not.

Judd Nelson - Suddenly Susan - 1996
Judd Nelson – Suddenly Susan – 1996

In 1996, Nelson’s career was resuscitated by Must See TV.  Nelson starred opposite Brooke Shields in the NBC sitcom, Suddenly Susan.

Shields played a magazine writer who leaves her wealthy fiance at the altar.  Suddenly single, Susan (this is where the title comes from) goes back to work for the magazine run by Nelson who happens to be the brother of her jilted finance.  He gives her a column about life as a suddenly single woman in the 90’s.

It may be hard to remember now, but once upon a time NBC’s Thursday night line-up was a juggernaut.  Through the 80’s NBC dominated Thursday nights with a powerhouse line-up of sitcoms that included The Cosby Show, Family Ties and Cheers.  In the 90’s, Cosby and Cheers gave way to Friends and Seinfeld.  But NBC struggled to find a show that could comfortably fit in the Family Ties slot.

Over the years, it tried out a lot of sitcoms.  What typically happened is that sitcoms would benefit from being near anchors like Friends and Seinfeld.  But once they moved away from these powerful anchors, their audiences didn’t follow them to other nights.  That’s basically what happened with Suddenly Susan.

Judd Nelson - Suddenly Susan - 1996
Judd Nelson – Suddenly Susan – 1996

In 1996, Shields had gotten big laughs playing Joey’s stalker on an episode of Friends.  So NBC was hopeful that they could build a sitcom around her.  NBC did something similar with Lea Thompson on Caroline in the City that same year.  Suddenly Susan debuted in the fall of 1996 in-between Seinfeld and E/R.  In the spring of 97, it replaced The Single Guy in the coveted 8:30 timeslot.  As a result, Suddenly Susan was the third highest-rated show of the season (ahead of even Friends) despite mostly negative reviews.

In fall of ’97, NBC moved the show to Monday nights where it was meant to anchor another night of sitcoms.  The Monday night line-up was female-driven with shows like Fired Up, Caroline in the City and The Naked Truth.  Suddenly Susan was up against Cosby on CBS.  (Not The Cosby Show which originally anchored NBC’s Thurday night line-up, but Cosby’s follow-up show which was simply titled Cosby.)  As a result, Suddenly Susan‘s ratings plummeted from 3rd place to 71st.

Nelson stayed with the show through its third season in May of 1999.  During the show’s fourth and final season, Eric Idle played the magazine’s new owner.

Judd Nelson - Steel - 1997
Judd Nelson – Steel – 1997

In 1997, Judd Nelson was back!  And you know what that means?  Yeah, he was allowed to appear in real Hollywood movies again.  Unfortunately for him, that movie was Steel.

Basketball star Shaquille O’Neal followed up his turn as a genie in Kazaam by playing a low-rent Superman in the cheesy super hero movie, Steel.  O’Neal played, John Henry Irons a weapons designer who designs non-lethal weapons.  Nelson played a soldier who finds a way to modify O’Neal’s designs to make the weapons more dangerous.  So O’Neal suits up in a hand-made suit of armor and fights back against the criminals who are terrorizing his neighborhood.

The character of Steel spun out of the Death of Superman story-line in DC comics.  O’Neal was a big Superman fan, so he was excited about playing a character with ties to the Man of Steel.  But Steel was less of a super hero movie than a blaxploitation picture in super hero drag.  Richard Roundtree, best known for the blaxploitation classic Shaft, even had a supporting role.

1997 was a weird time for super hero movies in general.  The Batman movies had been big hits in 1989, 92 and 95.  But most comic book-related movies had failed to duplicate that success.  The lesson Hollywood took from all of this was that only the biggest characters like Batman and Superman could sell tickets.  And then Batman and Robin flopped in the summer of ’97.  And a few months later, Steel, based on a Superman character, bombed.  It was a one-two punch that more or less killed Hollywood’s interest in super heroes until X-men in 2000.

Steel was panned by critics and flopped at the box offfice.  It opened in 16th place at the box office behind Good Burger which was in its fourth week of release.  Eventually, it ended up grossing $1.7 million dollars on a budget of $16 million dollars.  In case you’re wondering, Kazaam managed to gross nearly $19 million dollars.  The abject failure of Steel essentially ended O’Neal’s bid to be a Hollywood leading man.  Fortunately, Nelson still had his day job on Suddenly Susan.

Judd Nelson - Mr. Rock'n'Roll: The Alan Freed Story - 1999
Judd Nelson – Mr. Rock’n’Roll: The Alan Freed Story – 1999

By 1999, Nelson had left Suddenly Susan.  But he was still appearing on NBC in the TV movie, Mr. Rock’n’Roll: The Alan Freed Story.

Nelson played Freed, a disc jockey from Columbus, OH who introduced rock’n’roll music to mainstream audiences in the early 50’s.  Later in the 60’s, Freed’s career was ruined in the infamous payola scandal.  Mädchen Amick co-starred, Leon played Jackie Wilson and Paula Abdul had a small role.

The TV movie received mixed reviews.

Judd Nelson - Light It Up - 1999
Judd Nelson – Light It Up – 1999

Later that year, Nelson returned to the big screen with a supporting role in the crime drama, Light It Up.

Usher Raymond and Rosario Dawson starred as high school students who become embroiled in a hostage situation.  Forest Whitaker played a police officer who becomes the kids’ hostage.  Nelson played a sympathetic teacher.

Light It Up received negative reviews.  Roger Ebert complained that it was “so predictable that it keeps it from truly generating suspense”.  It opened in 11th place at the box office behind The Sixth Sense which was in its 15th week in theaters.  It ended up grossing under $6 million dollars on a $13 million dollar budget.

Judd Nelson - Cabin by the Lake - 2000
Judd Nelson – Cabin by the Lake – 2000

By 2000, Nelson was largely relegated to TV movies.  In Cabin by the Lake, he played a screenwriter who researches his script by drowning women in the lake next to his cabin.  What is it with Nelson and drowning women?

Despite negative reviews, Cabin by the Lake performed well enough to merit a sequel.

Judd Nelson - The Spiral Staircase - 2000
Judd Nelson – The Spiral Staircase – 2000

Next, Nelson starred opposite Nicollette Sheridan in a TV remake of the 1946 movie of the same name, The Spiral Staircase.  Sheridan played a mute woman trapped in a house with a killer.  Nelson plays a guy in the house who may or may not be the killer.  If any women get drowned, my money’s on Nelson as the killer.

Judd Nelson - The Outer Limits - 2000
Judd Nelson – The Outer Limits – 2000

Having already done an episode of Tales From the Crypt, it was time for Nelson to appear on an episode of The Outer Limits.  Nelson appeared in a sixth season episode entitled, There’s Something About Harry.  He plays a mysterious guy who rents a room from a single mom.  When people start disappearing, her teenage son becomes suspicious and begins investigating.  If there are any bodies of water nearby, I can’t really blame him.

Judd Nelson - The New Adventures of Spin and Marty - 2000
Judd Nelson – The New Adventures of Spin and Marty – 2000

Next, Nelson went Disney with the ABC movie, The New Adventures of Spin and Marty: Suspect Behavior.  Spin and Marty were the subject of a series of shorts that aired on The Mickey Mouse Club in the 50s.  The TV movie reinvented them as kid super-spies.  Nelson and Yancy Butler played a couple of mysterious neighbors the boys suspect of being demonic in nature.  They are immigrants after all.

Judd Nelson - Strange Frequency - 2001
Judd Nelson – Strange Frequency – 2001

In 2001, Nelson appeared on VH-1’s first scripted show, Strange Frequency.  Strange Frequency was intended to be a rock’n’roll version of The Twilight Zone.  The series was hosted by Roger Daltrey.  Nelson appeared in the tenth episode, More Than a Feeling.  He played a promoter who comes to realize that his protege’s suffer as a result of their new-found fame.  Marla Sokoloff played his newest discovery.

Judd Nelson - Falcon Down - 2001
Judd Nelson – Falcon Down – 2001

Next, Nelson appeared in the action movie Falcon Down.  The movie concerned an Air Force conspiracy and co-starred Cliff Robertson and William Shatner.

Judd Nelson - Return to the Cabin by the Lake - 2001
Judd Nelson – Return to Cabin by the Lake – 2001

As previously indicated, Nelson’s TV movie, Cabin by the Lake, inspired a sequel.  Despite the fact that his character kinda sorta died at the end of the first movie, Nelson starred in Return to Cabin by the Lake (is that title missing a “the”?) in 2001.  This time, his character poses as the director of a movie based on the crimes he committed in the first movie.  Sadly, the response to the sequel was not enough to finish the Cabin trilogy.

Judd Nelson - Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back - 2001
Judd Nelson – Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back – 2001

Writer-director Kevin Smith gave Nelson a cameo in his comedy, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.  The movie was intended to be Smith’s farewell to his “Askewniverse.”  As such, it featured lots and lots of references to his previous movies and other forms of fan service for his loyal audience.  The cast included Smith and his friend, Jason Mewes, along with Smith regulars like Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Lee and George Carlin.  It also included Shannon Elizabeth, Eliza Dushku, Will Ferrell, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Seann William Scott.  Nelson played a sheriff.

The plot, such as it is, involves Jay and Silent Bob traveling to Hollywood to prevent a movie from being made based on a comic book which was inspired by them.  But really, it’s just an excuse to let Smith do whatever the hell Smith wanted to do.  Most critics agreed that the Jay and Silent Bob characters worked better as supporting characters than they did as leads.

As it turns out, Smith’s attempts to be taken seriously as a director were less than successful.  It wasn’t long before he was back to making movies set in the Askewniverse.

Nelson - Dark Asylum
Judd Nelson – Dark Asylum – 2001

After that, Nelson returned to direct-to-video thrillers.  He starred opposite model-turned-actress Paulina Porizkova in Dark Asylum.

Larry Drake played a dangerous inmate who gets loose.  Porizkova played a psychiatrist who is trapped in the asylum with him.  Nelson played a helpful janitor who may have been an inmate at one time.

Nelson - Lost Voyage
Judd Nelson – Lost Voyage – 2001

Nelson ended the year with the Bermuda Triangle movie, Lost Voyage.  Nelson played a paranormal researcher who helps investigate a ship which has been missing for 25 years.  At first, the ship appears to be empty.  But soon Nelson and the others on-board are besieged by “homicidal spirits”.

Whew!  That was tough to slog through.  Hopefully we don’t have another decade of direct-to-video movies to deal with.  (Spoiler alert: We totally do.)

Judd Nelson - Deceived - 2002
Judd Nelson – Deceived – 2002

In 2002, Nelson starred in Deceived, a Christian sci-fi movie from the producers of Left Behind.  Louis Gossett Jr. co-starred.

This is the kind of movie people buy in the $1 bin at Wal-Mart.

Judd Nelson - Santa Jr - 2002
Judd Nelson – Santa Jr – 2002

You didn’t think we were going to get through this article without a lame Christmas movie, did you?  Well, here it is.  Nelson starred opposite Lauren Holly in Santa Jr.  Nick Stabile played Chris Kringle Jr. who is arrested by Nelson for trespassing when he tries to deliver presents.  Holly played the public defender assigned to his case.

Judd Nelson - Cybermutt - 2003
Judd Nelson – Cybermutt – 2003

In 2003, Nelson starred in a family movie called Cybermutt.  Yes, it’s what it sounds like.  Bionic Dog.

Cybermutt aired on Animal Planet.  Who knew Animal Planet had TV movies about bionic dogs?

Judd Nelson - White Rush - 2003
Judd Nelson – White Rush – 2003

Later that year, Nelson starred in the direct-to-video thriller, White Rush.  It was about a bunch of tourists who stumble upon a drug deal gone bad.

Tricia Helfer of Battlestar Galactica fame co-starred.

Nelson - Freediver
Judd Nelson – Freediver – 2004

Later that year, Nelson appeared in the movie, Freediver.  Adam Baldwin and Dominque Swain co-starred.

The movie was shown to the freediving elite at the team world championship in Vancouver in August of 2004.  The real-life freedivers giggled at the way their sport was portrayed in the movie.  Sébastien Nagel, real-life chairman of the world freediving agency AIDA who also appears as a character in the movie, stormed out of the screening and threatened a lawsuit over the way in which he was portrayed.

Judd Nelson - Lethal Eviction - 2005
Judd Nelson – Lethal Eviction – 2005

In 2005, Nelson appeared in the thriller, Lethal Eviction.  Stacy Dash co-starred as the new owner of a rent-controlled apartment building called Grayson Arms (which is also an alternate title for the movie).  She wants her tenants out, but they would rather die than give up their rent-controlled apartments.  And so, some of them do.

Nelson - The Lost Angel
Judd Nelson – The Lost Angel – 2005

In 2005, Nelson played a priest in the thriller, the Lost Angel.  Clint Eastwood’s daughter, Alison Eastwood, starred.

Nelson - Three Wise Guys
Judd Nelson – Three Wise Guys – 2005

Then he appeared in his second Christmas movie, Three Wise Guys.  Tom Arnold, Katey Sagal and Roddy Piper co-starred in the Vegas-set comedy.

Nelson - TV the movie
Judd Nelson – TV: The Movie – 2006

In 2006, Nelson appeared in the media satire National Lampoon’s TV: the Movie.  The movie starred Steve-O from Jackass if that gives you any indication what we’re dealing with here.

Judd Nelson - CSI - 2006
Judd Nelson – CSI – 2006

Nelson also showed up on a TV show people actually watched!  He appeared in an episode of CSI called Time of Your Death.

Judd Nelson - The Black Hole - 2006
Judd Nelson – The Black Hole – 2006

Later that year, Nelson co-starred with the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Kristy Swanson, in the sci fi movie, The Black Hole.  Apparently it is not about their careers being sucked into a hole in space-time as one might suspect.  Unfortunately, it’s not a remake of the Disney movie from 1979.  In this movie from the Sci Fi Channel, scientists studying a black hole release an electricity-eating monster.  Because science.

Judd Nelson - Las Vegas - 2007
Judd Nelson – Las Vegas – 2007

In 2007, Nelson started doing the TV guest star thing a little more regularly.  First he popped up in an episode of the TV show, Las Vegas (pictured).

Judd Nelson - CSI - 2006
Judd Nelson – CSI New York – 2007

He also popped up on CSI New York.  He played a completely different character than the one he played on CSI the previous year.

Judd Nelson - Netherbeast Incorporated - 2007
Judd Nelson – Netherbeast Incorporated – 2007

Next, he appeared in the vampire comedy, Netherbeast Incorporated.  You probably think I’m making these titles up.  I swear, I am not.  Netherbeast Incorporated starred Darrell Hammond, Dave Foley and Jason Mewes.

Judd Nelson - Nevermore - 2007
Judd Nelson – Nevermore – 2007

Then it was back to thrillers as Nelson starred in Nevermore.  He played an rich, eccentric hermit who thinks his trophy wife might be trying to drive him insane.  So he hires a detective played by Vincent Spano to follow her.

Judd Nelson - The Day The Earth Stopped - 2008
Judd Nelson – The Day The Earth Stopped – 2008

In 2008, Nelson starred opposite C. Thomas Howell in one of those “mockbusters” from The Asylum.  This one was called The Day the Earth Stopped which is basically a rip-off of the remake of The Day The Earth Stood Still.

Judd Nelson - Boondock Saints II: All Saint's Day - 2009
Judd Nelson – Boondock Saints II: All Saint’s Day – 2009

In 2009, Nelson appeared in the action sequel, Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day.  The original was about a couple of Irish vigilantes.  The sequel brings back Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus and Billy Connolly for more of the same.  Nelson played the son of the original movie’s bad guy.

The original Boondock Saints came out in 1999.  What’s more interesting than the movie itself is the story of its director, Troy Duffy.  Duffy played in a band and worked as a bartender when he wrote the script for the original movie.  Harvey Weinstein bought the script and offered Duffy the chance to direct.  Duffy immediately lost his mind.  Long story short, Duffy alienated everyone around him and Weinstein dumped him.

Eventually, Duffy was able to get his movie made.  But without any of the big stars he was demanding.  When it was released, The Boondock Saints was a dud.  Duffy, a once hot property who seemed poised to be the next Tarantino, was back to being a nobody.

But then, Boondock Saints started to become a cult movie.  So ten years after the original, Duffy got to write and direct a sequel.  It was expected that the original movie’s cult fanbase would make the sequel a hit.  But no.  While it earned quite a bit more than the original, Boondock Saints II wasn’t a hit either.

Judd Nelson - Psych - 2010
Judd Nelson – Psych – 2010

In 2010, Nelson appeared on an episode of the TV show Psych.  During the run of the series, Nelson the actor had been referenced repeatedly.  So it was a meta moment when Nelson finally appeared on the show during the show’s fourth season.

Judd Nelson - The Terror Experiment - 2010
Judd Nelson – The Terror Experiment – 2010

You may be wondering how Nelson made so many crappy direct-to-video movies without appearing in any zombie movies.  Well, wonder no more.  Nelson co-starred with C. Thomas Howell in The Terror Experiment also known as Fight or Flight also known as That Zombie Movie With C Thomas Howell and Judd Nelson.

Nelson - Endure
Judd Nelson – Endure – 2010

Later that year, Nelson played a cop pursuing a serial killer played by Tom Arnold in the thriller Endure.

Judd Nelson - Two and a Half Men - 2010
Judd Nelson – Two and a Half Men – 2010

Nelson also appeared in not one but two episodes of the hit sitcom, Two and a Half Men.

Judd Nelson - Cancel Christmas - 2010
Judd Nelson – Cancel Christmas – 2010

And in his third Christmas movie, Nelson played Santa Clause.  In Cancel Christmas, Santa considers calling the whole thing off because he thinks kids today may be too greedy.  So he goes undercover to teach two bad kids the importance of charity.

Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Matthew Broderick and Judd Nelson - Oscars Tribute to John Hughes - 2010
Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Matthew Broderick and Judd Nelson – Oscars Tribute to John Hughes – 2010

In 2010, a few months after his death, the Oscars paid tribute to John Hughes.  Several of the actors Hughes helped launch to stardom gathered on stage to say a few words.  Hughes’ biggest stars, Broderick and Ringwald, introduced a movie clip featuring memorable moments from several of Hughes’ movies.

John Cryer, Anthony Michael Hall, Nelson, Macaulay Culkin, and Ally Sheedy were also in attendance.

Judd Nelson - Mayor Cupcake - 2011
Judd Nelson – Mayor Cupcake – 2011

In 2011, Nelson starred opposite Lea Thompson in the TV movie, Mayor Cupcake.

Unfortunately, Mayor Cupcake’s political career ended when she lost a critical election to Mayor McCheese.

Hope and Cheeseburgers
Hope and Cheeseburgers

I may be a bit slap-happy at this point.  If you have made it to this point in the article, I owe you a cheeseburger.  Anyone who writes “You owe me a cheeseburger” in the comments section will receive a cheeseburger at some point in the future.

Judd Nelson - Bad Kids Go To Hell - 2012
Judd Nelson – Bad Kids Go To Hell – 2012

In 2012, Nelson appeared in the horror-comedy, Bad Kids Go to Hell.  Nelson’s casting as the stern headmaster was a winking nod to The Breakfast Club.  Instead of going to detention, he sends students to detention where they bond before facing a gruesome end.

Judd Nelson - Just 45 Minutes From Broadway - 2012
Judd Nelson – Just 45 Minutes From Broadway – 2012

He also starred in the drama, Just 45 Minutes From Broadway.

Judd Nelson - Kristen's Christmas Past - 2013
Judd Nelson – Kristen’s Christmas Past – 2013

In 2013, Nelson appeared in yet another Christmas Movie.  In Kristen’s Chistmas Past, a 34-year-old woman is able to travel back in time to Christmas 1996 in hopes of fixing the worst Christmas of her life and improving her present.

Judd Nelson - Nikita - 2013
Judd Nelson – Nikita – 2013

Nelson also appeared in a couple of episodes of the TV show, Nikita.

Judd Nelson - Nurse 3-D - 2013
Judd Nelson – Nurse 3-D – 2013

Finally, Nelson appeared in a horror movie called, Nurse 3-D, in which a sexy nurse murders philandering men.  Kathleen Turner also made an appearance.

Judd Nelson - The Haunting of the Innocent - 2014
Judd Nelson – The Haunting of the Innocent – 2014

In 2014, Nelson starred in another low budget horror movie called The Haunting of the Innocent.

Judd Nelson - The Bigfoot Wars - 2014
Judd Nelson – The Bigfoot Wars – 2014

Then Nelson reunited with C Thomas Howell for The Bigfoot Wars.  My money is on Bigfoot.

So, what the hell happened?

For real this time.  We’re done, right?

Nelson’s status as a movie star can be attributed to appearing in The Breakfast Club and St Elmo’s Fire in 1985.  That one-two punch established him as an icon of the 80s.  But outside of those two movies, he doesn’t have a lot to prop up his filmography.  His other movies with the Brat Pack fell short.  And when he tried to diversify into thrillers, he ended up trapped in a never-ending string of direct-to-video schlock.

As the 80’s ended, Nelson and his peers had to deal with a terrible backlash against the so-called Brat Pack.  It did severe damage to most of their careers.  Nelson was no exception.  While he hasn’t made a lot of memorable movies, you have to give the guy credit for perseverance.  Although most audiences aren’t aware of it, Nelson has worked steadily as an actor for decades.  That in and of itself is a major accomplishment.

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aussiesmurf
aussiesmurf
9 years ago

Cannot recommend Billionaire Boys Club highly enough. It sums up beautifully the over-entitled mindset of privileged young adults. Seriously, apart from the trappings of wealth being markedly different, it could have been made yesterday. Nelson and Silver are both excellent in it.
Oh yeah, you owe me a cheeseburger. Next time you’re in Melbourne, Australia, I collect!

RB
RB
9 years ago

welll. wow. First we’ll have to have a discussion about where the best cheeseburgers can be found. People on the West Coast swear by something called In and Out burger. I’m not on the West Coast and think that cheeseburgers can only get so good. Second, ha, had the same thought throughout – Nelson’s been working steadily in a lot of schlock. Can’t blame him, it pays the bills and you never know when the next indie hit might change his fortune. But I’ll probably not see him onscreen ever again. RB doesn’t even watch higher budget thrillers. Third, yeah,… Read more »

Lucas
Lucas
9 years ago

Suddenly Susan actually started in the fall of 1996 not in 1997. Also isn’t weird that it’s practically impossible to find anything from Suddenly Susan? No DVDs. No online episodes. Nothing just a few clips and an opening theme. Strange huh?
Also WTF happened to Brooke Shields.

Eliseu O Calvo
9 years ago

So… Fourteen pages?! You owe me a cheeseburger.

Eliseu O Calvo
9 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Interesting. Nicolas “can’t say no to any movies” Cage has a 12 pages article. Judd Nelson has a fourteen pages. Somehow we owe an apologie to Mr. Cage, i think.
I live in Brazil and I would not like to get a cold cheeseburger.
Just kidding

Dawn
Dawn
9 years ago

I can’t believe I made it through that, considering I really dislike Judd Nelson and actually don’t care what happened to him. It’s a testament to your engaging writing style for sure, though I’ll never turn down a free cheeseburger.

Matt Rouge
Matt Rouge
9 years ago

Nice article, as usual! I found Nelson intriguing and went out of my way to see several of his lesser-known movies. “Blue City” is actually a pretty good movie. It is campy and crazy and Nelson entertainingly chews the scenery. “From the Hip” is also not bad. I did not go out of my way to see “Cabin by the Lake,” but I did catch it on cable randomly. It is pretty disturbing and not at all recommended. Nelson is one of many actors who had talent and a unique screen presence but never found the right material. I think… Read more »

Amy
Amy
5 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Anyone who head said “No one sets out to maggie a bad movie”, has never watched a Troma a movie…. Or most B horror v for that matter. Lol

Amy
Amy
5 years ago
Reply to  Amy

Make lol

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)
Reply to  Matt Rouge

Category: This Sucks So Bad … Created on Tuesday, 13 March 2012 05:38 Written by George Rother http://www.movieguy247.com/iMovies/index.php/blog/this-sucks-so-bad/455-blue-city The tagline reads “It’s below Miami and above the law.”, Blue City is also beneath contempt. There’s so much wrong with this movie that it would be simpler to list its positive attributes, the only good it has going for it is a pretty good score by Ry Cooder, the rest of it is garbage. But it’s my duty to provide all the facts with a fair and objective review, and no movie should be immune from this, so here it is… Read more »

RB
RB
9 years ago

For the first time, it strikes me just how much of a large sub-market, if you will, makes up the direct-to-video segment. My casual impression was that it was the secondary fringe of movies today but in the chronicle of Nelson’s films, it’s a fringe all right but it’s one that provides consistent work for many. Between cable subscriptions and DVD bargain bins, it’s a much bigger market than I had really thought about. Lower profit margins but profits all the same. And, interestingly, steady work for some WTHH subjects. I’ve just tried without sucess to copy and paste a… Read more »

Mr. Steelbolt
Mr. Steelbolt
9 years ago

Nelson had another brush with Transformers–in 2009, he reprised the role of Rodimus Prime (who is the same as Hot Rod in the 1986 film) for the season three opener of the cartoon series “Transformers: Animated”.

daffystardust
Editor
9 years ago

Here in the Research Triangle of NC, the beefsteak cheeseburger at Char-Grill is widely considered to be head and shoulders above most any other burger you can find. I can’t think of one I’d rather personally consume. Most of the locations we might possibly meet in the future aren’t known for quality burgers. I was a little surprised to find that I had actually seen a lot of Nelson’s post-Brat Pack film output, including From the Hip, Relentless, New Jack City, Airheads, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. I can’t imagine that any other group of young successful actors… Read more »

daffystardust
Editor
9 years ago
Reply to  daffystardust

oh….”you owe me a cheeseburger”

Myso
Myso
9 years ago

You definitely owe me not a cheeseburger, but a hamburger from IN-and-OUT with a shake added in there. I have no idea why I read this whole thing. I’ve only seen him in Breakfast Club, and I loved his character. And that’s really what I see him as. I’m a bit miffed because the article could have been 5 pages long instead of 14. Heck, even 10 and then talk about everything else going direct to video. After a while, all I noticed was that he doesn’t look bad for his age. He had a peculiar look when he was… Read more »

Myso
Myso
9 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

You’re 100% right. I looked up him now, and I couldn’t believe how different he looked like when he played Bender. When I originally left the article, I found him a bit George Clooney-esque.
I’ve always thought that Emilio Estevez was just as talented as Charlie Sheen, but Charlie Sheen didn’t have the label of being part of the Brat Pack. So I guess the article just ruined careers regardless of how good of an actor they were. Or maybe just the individuals who were in the article?

Valgal
Valgal
9 years ago

I’m exhausted and my brain hurts after reading this article. I think I need a nap now. Seriously though, I think this is a good reminder about how much power written words have and that they don’t just go away i.e. the term “brat pack”.

frug
frug
9 years ago

You owe a cheeseburger next time you are in the greater Chicago area, also I’m somewhat surprised Nelson hasn’t be able to find a steady gig on TV. But then none of the Brat Packers outside of Rob Lowe have been able to do so.

Carl
Carl
9 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

He left Suddenly Susan after the third season because one of the main cast members committed suicide. Maybe that experience left him with a negative view of doing a regular series again.

AJ
AJ
9 years ago

You owe me a cheeseburger, lol, & the whole In N’ Out thing is overrated (from LA) & I’ve always preferred Fatburger to In N’ Out, just me though.
Reading this article, my first initial thought was depression, but viewing from another angle, it’s impressive to see Nelson have such an extensive catalogue of film & TV. Hate to see the backlash off an article written by a journalist with an axe to grind against “Gen-Xers.”
Love your writing, keeps me entertained, didn’t think I would make it through the 14 pages of the article.

Van White
9 years ago

Great article. First time I’ve read any of your stuff. Well written and researched. I found myself laughing out loud a few times, which I’m guessing Nelson would frown upon. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Nelson never “accidently” kicks me in the head a restaurant patio. I just ordered the newest DVD release of The Breakfast Club. I never watched the John Hughes movies in the 80s but I’m head over heels for TBC. Bored and Googling Judd Nelson, which is what led me to your site. Love it!! Another article about Nelson indicated that he has written four… Read more »

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)
Reply to  Van White

The Breakfast Club with fresh adult eyes watching
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=20488680&postcount=1
John Bender. Judd Nelson’s performance stands the test of time. The movie would not work without him. He’s funny, authentic, and has the worst home life of the bunch. Sure he looks a little too old for high school, but beneath the front of his image, he’s really street smart, and a bit scared.

jeffthewildman
9 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Cosby was the name of it. it ran from 1996-2001.

MikkoAN1
MikkoAN1
9 years ago

Thanks, as always, for the article – some effort! Living outside the US you forget how much crap is produced for the American market that won’t be inflicted on you. Unless you really go on out of your way to watch obscure cable channels at 4am, but I doubt even then you’d see many Judd Nelson attempts. No need for the cheeseburger, thanks (they went all hipster about cheeseburgers last year here in London anyway, with ridiculous queues outside some of the places – and there’s no need to try improve on Burger King) – but I am still perplexed… Read more »

daffystardust
Editor
9 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

When I was in a playwrighting class in college in 1991 I wrote a script which featured a group of overly-serious music fans hijacking a radio station in order to make it play better music. My version played on the fact that DJs were disappearing and all you really had to do was to hijack the signal. My memory of the script is not great and I’m pretty sure I do not still have a copy. It’s probably cringe-worthy. I took myself way too seriously then. When Airheads showed up in theaters in ’94 it did cross my mind that… Read more »

RB
RB
9 years ago
Reply to  daffystardust

I would bet that a seed was planted there, Daffy. For what little it’s worth, in my opinion, there is enough originality in your concept that it could have easily and innocently been passed on. He’s walking home from class, thinking, what a cool idea. Then it takes shape in his mind. A lot of plagiarism is not intentional. For what even less this is worth, to this day I’m convinced that a crappy poem I wrote that contained a somewhat unique image, showed up in one of Madonna’s music videos in the 80s. My creative writing instructor just raved… Read more »

WendyNerd
WendyNerd
9 years ago

Long time reader, first time commenter…. You owe me a cheeseburger. Because I can has one? Next time you’re in Louisiana.

Juanita
Juanita
9 years ago

Great article. You owe me a cheeseburger! Nelson owes Blum a punch! Nelson is now appearing in the hit show Empire so I guess his story continues. Thanks for catching us up on one if my favorites from the 80s.

Leo
Leo
8 years ago

Nostalgia Critic: Steel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMqd96bgsdU
Shaq is back, did he learn how to act?

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)
Reply to  Leo

Read This: How Hollywood flubbed its adaptation of DC Comics’ Steel
http://www.avclub.com/article/read-how-hollywood-flubbed-its-adaptation-dc-comic-230016

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)
Reply to  lebeau

Steel is essentially, DC’s Iron Man and only one could wonder how a Steel movie could’ve turned out on a bigger budget (the movie that we got feels like a B-movie or something rather made for TV) and a better or credible actor as the lead.

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