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.