He's known by many names: Bender, Alex Newbary ... even Nick Peretti or Jack Richmond to fans of the 90s. All signature characters by Judd Nelson, who turns 47 years old today.

Best known as John Bender in The Breakfast Club, Nelson's career has had its peaks (St. Elmo's Fire) and its valleys (Blue City). He won over a new generation of fans in the 90s and beyond with roles on TV's Suddenly Susan (with fellow 80s star Brooke Shields) and the 2001 flick Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, cast by writer/director Kevin Smith -- a big-time fan of Nelson and his 80s films.

These days, Nelson is still hard at work as an actor, with parts in several TV movies and stage productions in the works. His latest work is Netherbeast Incorporated, a vampire comedy/horror flick set in Corporate America, co-starring Darrell Hammond, Jason Mewes, Robert Wagner and Dave Foley. It's due out in 2007.

In an interview last year on themanroom.com website, Nelson explained the myth behind his 1980s Brat Pack image. "We got lumped together as a generation of actors as if we were hanging out together. I was living in New York at the time and I seldom travel three thousand miles to have a beer with someone."

We'd travel three thousand miles to have a beer with you, Judd.

Top 5 Judd Nelson lines:
5. "That's Mr. A--hole to you." (St. Elmo's Fire)
4. "Is this one of those black things?" (New Jack City)
3. "Bea Arthur?... Outstanding." (Airheads)
2. "Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?" (The Breakfast Club)
1. "Demented and sad, but social." (The Breakfast Club)