One of the original Brat Pack, American actor Judd Nelson found fame and stardom in the 80s. However, displaying his staying power and ability to reinvent himself, Nelson broke his original mold and continues his acting career even today.
Judd Asher Nelson was born November 28, 1959, in Portland, Maine. His parents were Leonard Nelson and Merle Nelson, both of whom were attorneys. His mother also served as a Maine state legislator. Nelson is one of three children.
Educated at St. Paul’s School located in Concord, New Hampshire, he pursued his secondary education at Haverford College of Pennsylvania. However, by the second year Nelson realized the school was doing nothing to further his acting goals and left.
He moved to Manhattan where he knew the jobs and acting coaches were more readily available. While there, he studied with the highly renowned Stella Adle who is credited with teaching actors such as Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Benicio Del Toro, Vincent D Onofrio, Martin Sheen, Mark Ruffalo, and many others.
Unlike most actors, Nelson’s introduction into the world of film was not through countless one-line appearances or bit parts. Rather, his debut came in 1984 with a starring role in Making the Grade. Essentially similar to the work that would eventually propel him into superstardom, this film is often overlooked. Co-starring with Carey Scott, Scott McGinnis, and Andrew Dice Clay, Nelson was still well on his way to his big break.
The following year, Nelson found himself in the road trip comedy Fandango. Still in a prominent role, Nelson also shared the spotlight with Kevin Costner. Costner himself was a few years shy of the blockbuster hits The Untouchables, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, and Dances With Wolves. Suzy Amis and Glenne Headly also landed supporting roles.
Nelson’s next role would arguably prove to be his largest and most memorable. The Breakfast Club, directed by John Hughes, was released with fresh young faces Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Molly Ringwald, and Ally Sheedy. Nelson played the rebellious John Bender. The story of teenage angst and friendship became hugely popular, and everyone involved was officially dubbed a member of the Brat Pack.
Many members of the team came back for Joel Schumacher’s St. Elmo’s Fire including Nelson, Estevez, and Sheedy. Newcomers now included Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Mare Winningham, Demi Moore, and Andie MacDowell. Riding high off his new success, Nelson found critical acclaim with the television film Billionaire Boys Club in 1987, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe.
For the next decade, Nelson never actually dropped off the acting scene entirely, but his career slowed dramatically from his early days in the spotlight. Now his acting was punctuated with supporting roles in comedies such as Airheads with Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, Michael McKean, David Arquette, and Michael Richards.
However, he managed to make a comeback in the mid-90s when he starred on the popular television series Suddenly Susan. With a core cast including Brooke Shields, Nestor Carbonell, Kathy Griffin, and Barbara Barrie, Nelson was back in the limelight. The show also boasted a talented and diverse supporting cast including Andrea Bendewald, Eric Idle, David Strickland, Swoosie Kurtz, Joan Rivers, and Nelson’s Billionaire Boys Club co-star Brian McNamara. The show ended in 2000.
His career since has been dominated by smaller, less commercial productions. He has currently completed two films—Little Hercules in 3-D and the independent thriller Nevermore. He is also in post-production for The Caretaker with Jennifer Tilly.
In his personal life, Nelson has been romantically linked to Faye Resnick as well as Shannen Doherty. Nelson and Doherty were even engaged for a brief period but never actually wed.
YUDDY
