Biography

Edward Judd

Jump to

The British character actor Edward Judd was born to British parents in 1932 in Shanghai, China, where he began acting on stage as a teenager. Before he was 16, he was in England making his film debut in The Hideout (1948), closely followed by Maniacs on Wheels (1949) and The Outsider (1948). During the 1950s, Judd achieved modest fame on the English stage and continued his film career. By the 1960s, he had become associated mostly with science fiction films, e.g., X the Unknown (1956), The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961), First Men in the Moon (1964), Island of Terror (1966) and Invasion (1966). Judd made sporadic appearances, mostly in television, until the early 1990s.
- IMDb mini biography by: Lyn Hammond

Reclusive in later years, it was believed at one point that he had died in Wimbledon in July 2004, homeless and in frail health due to his heavy drinking. The fact, at least about him being homeless, was proved incorrect. Apparently, he lived at a retirement home in Mitcham in his final years.
A best friend of Michael Caine. The two first met while shooting an Army recruitment documentary at the Clubland youth club in South England. Michael can be seen in a small part in Edward's first starring vehicle, The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961).
Best known to a certain generation in the UK as the face of a famous 1970s "Public Information Film", in which he urges car drivers to be more aware of motorbikes. "Think once... think twice... think BIKE!!!".
Born in Shanghai, he and his English father and Byelorussian mother fled after the Japanese attacked China five years later. They moved to Britain, where he studied at the newly opened Bolton's Theatre Club in Kensington, west London.
Performed in repertory in Windsor and Nottingham in the early years. Later on the West End stage, he appeared in "The Long and the Short and the Tall" with an up-and-coming Peter O'Toole and returned there in 1973 for a role in the Tennessee Williams play "Small Craft Warnings" co-starring Elaine Stritch.

Frankly, I never considered myself the leading man type. The necessities of stardom -- the things that have nothing to do with the actual work -- were not for me. I was very much a loner, which I still am. I wanted to continue doing what I do best, which is playing heavies. I started out as a young heavy, with slightly sinister overtones. I also played many mixed-up young men. I never had a self-image of being a "movie star." I just wanted to be a good actor and get down to some meaty roles.
Acting careers tend to take strange twists and turns. The words "fair" and "unfair" don't really apply to our profession. It's all a lottery.
I would like to have continued playing starring roles in films, but as a leading older man, which is what I've become. However, I don't consider myself by any means finished. I have much more to give. I'm still looking forward to enjoying my dotage as a character actor. I do feel the best is yet to come. (from a 1990 interview)
I'm very grateful for that. Acting is only of any value when people actually see your work. So, if I've touched anyone or have brought back fond memories of earlier movies, then I'm pleased -- and extremely humble. (on being a favorite of science fiction fans)

Suggest an edit or add missing content