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Nelson Franklin

Nelson Franklin

Actor · Born July 2, 1985 (41)

Screen Actors Guild Award winner

Franklin was born to father Howard Franklin, a screenwriter and director. His stepmother is DJ Anne Litt. Franklin attended high school at Campbell Hall School in Studio City, California. He graduated from New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Franklin's first major role was a recurring role as Nick, the I.T. worker on NBC's The Office. Franklin later went on to appear as a series regular on the short-lived FOX comedy series Traffic Light. He appears with another Office actor, David Denman, who played Pam's ex-fiancée Roy. His side projects include a short for Funny or Die: a fake commercial promoting the Dudes-N-Bros Talking Points System, which is a service that helps guys who aren't dudes or bros hold a conversation with dudes and bros. He co-starred on the CBS sitcom The Millers and appeared on FOX sitcom New Girl, the HBO political comedy Veep, Black-ish, and Abby's.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 2, 1985 (41)
Works as
Actor
Titles
53 on MovieCove · 62 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 27% in 30 days

What are Nelson Franklin's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 22nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 39th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
38%
Bonds
33%
Society
11%
Ideas
7%
Survival
6%
Morality
4%
Power
1%
Friendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 5 · Wry 0 · Earnest 8

Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 8 · Serious 4 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 6 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 8 · Intense 1

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 2 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 6

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 8 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 8 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 7 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 7
Hero
1 of 7
Herald
1 of 7
Shapeshifter
1 of 7
Trickster
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
10
Joyful
8
Tense
5
Warm
4
Melancholic
3
Other
13

How their films linger

Feel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet9
  • Ambiguous5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Nelson Franklin's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 43 of their 53 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Netflix (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Nelson Franklin's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

62 credits, 53 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Social Reckoning(2026)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Basic(2026)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Napa Boys(2025)

    as Kevin

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • A Man on the Inside(2024)

    Show 3 episodes · as Rick Whuzmarc

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • The Gutter(2024)

    as Some Winner

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Unfrosted(2024)

    as Davey Wilson

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The Vince Staples Show(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as House Manager

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Cosmetic Criminals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Brian

  • Bookie(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Kevin Miller

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Scott Pilgrim Takes Off(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Documentarian (voice)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • You People(2023)

    as Director

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Old Man(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Howard

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Gaslit(2022)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dick Moore

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • King Knight(2021)

    as Angus

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Being the Ricardos(2021)

    as Joe Strickland

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Yellowjackets(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · as Edwin

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Ghosts(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Elliot

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Sweet Girl(2021)

    as Martin Bennett

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Hero Mode(2021)

    as Rick

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Hacks(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Interviewer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Have a Good Trip(2020)

    as Young Lewis Black

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • #BlackAF(2020)

    Show 3 episodes · as Nelson

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all shows

  • Basic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Nick

  • Abby's (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 10 episodes · as Bill

  • Tone-Deaf(2019)

    as York

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Captain Marvel(2019)

    as Medical Examiner

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Gone Hollywood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Doug Ettinger

  • A Million Little Things(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Elon

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich(2018)

    as Markowitz

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Fixed(2017)

    as Jason

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • A Futile and Stupid Gesture(2018)

    as P.J. O'Rourke

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Grown-ish(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Connor Stevens

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Battle of the Sexes(2017)

    as TV Reporter

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Unicorn Store(2017)

    as Aaron

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Gemini(2017)

    as Greg

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Band Aid(2017)

    as Ned

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Relationtrip(2017)

    as Buddy

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Truth Be Told (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Avi Goldman

  • Big Time in Hollywood, FL(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Stu

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Hello Ladies: The Movie(2014)

    as Yogurt Director

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Black-ish(2014)

    Show 40 episodes · as Connor Stevens

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail(2014)

    Show as Jonah Ray

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Ghost Phone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Will

  • The Millers(2013)

    Show 34 episodes · as Adam Stoker

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Instant Mom(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Principal Strick

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Steve Wilson

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Jobs(2013)

    as Bill Atkinson

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Maron(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Joshua

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Argo(2012)

    as LA Times Reporter

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Veep(2012)

    Show 19 episodes · as Will

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Answer This!(2011)

    as James Koogly

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • New Girl(2011)

    Show 18 episodes · as Robby

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Traffic Light(2011)

    Show 13 episodes · as Adam

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Scott Pilgrim vs. the World(2010)

    as Comeau

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Waiting for Forever (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Joe

  • I Love You, Man(2009)

    as Sidney's Buddy

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Party Down(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Steve

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Dollhouse(2009)

    Show 2 episodes · as Burt Styne

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Berkeley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Frat Prez

  • The Office(2005)

    Show 4 episodes · as Graphic Design Guy · as Nick

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Arrested Development(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Tilive

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Wake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 61 titles, 60 of them dated from 2003 to 2026; peak year 2018.

Biggest box office

Jobs (2013)

$42M worldwide

Highest rated

New Girl (2011)

Midcredits 82nd

Film career

MilestoneBreakoutAward win
20032026

Peak 2018 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 2005Screen debut· The Office
  • 2010First film· Waiting for Forever
  • 2012Screen Actors Guild Award win· Veep
  • 2013Breakout· Jobs

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting61 of 61: 61 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score68th

By decade

2000s6 · acting2010s31 · acting2020s23 · acting

Billing

usually 11th · top billed in 0% of 15 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

Awards

a Screen Actors Guild Award from 2 major nominations, 2017–2018.

WinNomination
  1. 2018
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, won · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
  2. 2017
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Nelson Franklin's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 41st percentile, the median of all 27; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 36th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

75thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 53 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up17
  • 50th to 74th17
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

24 of their 53 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser24
  • Mixed17

Most divisive · actor

Basic (2026)

97th percentile spread · 33% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Office (2005)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 62/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 36. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Nelson Franklin's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films and violence & gore lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles13–74 · median 33 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity5 titles32–66 · median 53 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles46–84 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 54 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 38 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Nelson Franklin work with?

People who share at least 2 of Nelson Franklin's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Richard Bates Jr. shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Producers

Mixed roles