Judd Nelson
Birthday:
28 November 1959, Portland, Maine, USA
Birth Name:
Judd Asher Nelson
Height:
178 cm
Born in Portland, Maine to attorney Leonard Nelson and his wife, Merle Nelson, (attorney and state assemblywoman), Judd attended St. Paul's preparatory school in Concord, New Hampshire before majoring in philosophy at the prestigious Haverford College in Pennsylvania. The acting bug bit when he went to watch a friend's audition and was ob...
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Born in Portland, Maine to attorney Leonard Nelson and his wife, Merle Nelson, (attorney and state assemblywoman), Judd attended St. Paul's preparatory school in Concord, New Hampshire before majoring in philosophy at the prestigious Haverford College in Pennsylvania. The acting bug bit when he went to watch a friend's audition and was obliged to audition in order to stay. He won the role.After graduation, Judd headed for New York City and the Stella Adler Conservatory where he was believable in the role as the "street-smart Eddie Keaton" in the comedy Making the Grade (1984). Judd's next film role was as the stodgy ROTCer, Phil Hicks, in the ensemble comedy Fandango (1985). Important and diverse roles in the brat-pack films The Breakfast Club (1985) and St. Elmo's Fire (1985) quickly followed. With his privileged upbringing, Judd could have brought the right degree of preppy-smarmyness, (ala James Spader), to any number of vapid roles, but his intense stare and dark smoldering looks gave him a hint of danger which added to his credibility in films like the Billionaire Boys Club (1987), From the Hip (1987) and New Jack City (1991).While Judd's career has been peppered with under-promoted films and poorly-written TV appearances, critics have not been overly kind to this misunderstood actor. Show less «
I think that there's room for everyone. I don't think that if one person succeeds then another must fail. That's lunacy. I'm not sure what t...Show more »
I think that there's room for everyone. I don't think that if one person succeeds then another must fail. That's lunacy. I'm not sure what the reasons are for my philosophy, maybe it's the fact that if there are ten people doing the same job, we all know how we feel and what our high points and low points are. Show less «
My Brat Pack buddies and I didn't exactly handle celebrity very well. Success at an early age is far more difficult to handle than failure.
My Brat Pack buddies and I didn't exactly handle celebrity very well. Success at an early age is far more difficult to handle than failure.
As a kid I had a crush on Sophia Loren and Raquel Welch.
As a kid I had a crush on Sophia Loren and Raquel Welch.
Remember to be as smart as you are.
Remember to be as smart as you are.
I find it very difficult to relax. I find it increasingly difficult to find outlets for my frustration.
I find it very difficult to relax. I find it increasingly difficult to find outlets for my frustration.
It is a career of make-believe, of masks. We all have masks in life.
It is a career of make-believe, of masks. We all have masks in life.
When I was in college, all the pretty women were in the theatre, so I auditioned for a play.
When I was in college, all the pretty women were in the theatre, so I auditioned for a play.
You can be knocked down, but it doesn't mean you're out.
You can be knocked down, but it doesn't mean you're out.
With failure, you just try again.
With failure, you just try again.
I love the rehearsal process in the theatre, and the visceral sense of contact and communication with a live audience.
I love the rehearsal process in the theatre, and the visceral sense of contact and communication with a live audience.
I put less stock in others' opinions than my own. No one else's opinions could derail me.
I put less stock in others' opinions than my own. No one else's opinions could derail me.
My first love is acting on stage. A sitcom is a hybrid of stage and film.
My first love is acting on stage. A sitcom is a hybrid of stage and film.
Young alienation, disappointment and heartache is all a part of the first real growing up that we do.
Young alienation, disappointment and heartache is all a part of the first real growing up that we do.
Heroes always make the right decision; I find that seldom happens in my life.
Heroes always make the right decision; I find that seldom happens in my life.
While they would have provided financial support if I had needed it, the greatest support my parents gave was emotional, psychological.
While they would have provided financial support if I had needed it, the greatest support my parents gave was emotional, psychological.
Catcher in the Rye had a profound impact on me-the idea that we all have lots of dreams that are slowly being chipped away as we grow up.
Catcher in the Rye had a profound impact on me-the idea that we all have lots of dreams that are slowly being chipped away as we grow up.
I went to acting school in New York City for two years. I studied with Stella Adler.
I went to acting school in New York City for two years. I studied with Stella Adler.
I am very grateful to make my living doing what I would do for free.
I am very grateful to make my living doing what I would do for free.
I like every single actor or actress in the world, because we never know what the conditions are like when they are working. I give everyone...Show more »
I like every single actor or actress in the world, because we never know what the conditions are like when they are working. I give everyone the benefit of the doubt and root for them like a psychotic sports fan. Show less «
I just couldn't go back to Suddenly Susan (1996) after David Strickland's suicide. I didn't see how we could make the show light and funny a...Show more »
I just couldn't go back to Suddenly Susan (1996) after David Strickland's suicide. I didn't see how we could make the show light and funny any more. Show less «
I like being a villain. Villains are more exciting.
I like being a villain. Villains are more exciting.
My closest friend is canine. I have precious few close friends, and most of them are not actors.
My closest friend is canine. I have precious few close friends, and most of them are not actors.
I always thought that the badge a cop has was more like the shield that Captain America has. It's an obvious sign of good and something you'...Show more »
I always thought that the badge a cop has was more like the shield that Captain America has. It's an obvious sign of good and something you'll protect other people with, but it will also protect you. Show less «
It's very easy to confuse Sean Connery with James Bond. Sometimes in the entertainment industry, people believe the cake is more real than t...Show more »
It's very easy to confuse Sean Connery with James Bond. Sometimes in the entertainment industry, people believe the cake is more real than the baker. Show less «
Ice-T was just a pleasure to work with. He was a smart gentleman.
Ice-T was just a pleasure to work with. He was a smart gentleman.
I don't know if it matters what country you're from, size of the city you're from, urban or rural, there are people that are hurting each ot...Show more »
I don't know if it matters what country you're from, size of the city you're from, urban or rural, there are people that are hurting each other everywhere. Show less «
Death is not my best subject.
Death is not my best subject.
All of the directors I've worked with I have loved and would work with again. I have no favorites.
All of the directors I've worked with I have loved and would work with again. I have no favorites.
A fancy watch, it's completely unnecessary. I just need a watch to tell the right time.
A fancy watch, it's completely unnecessary. I just need a watch to tell the right time.
It's great to work with people that you like, any job, no matter what you do.
It's great to work with people that you like, any job, no matter what you do.
I like the way the old Toyotas look.
I like the way the old Toyotas look.
Almost anything makes me laugh, especially jokes at my own expense. And I will never, ever admit to being ticklish anywhere.
Almost anything makes me laugh, especially jokes at my own expense. And I will never, ever admit to being ticklish anywhere.
I'm involved with Recording Artists and Actors Against Drunk Driving. I'm also involved with most children's causes, because children can't ...Show more »
I'm involved with Recording Artists and Actors Against Drunk Driving. I'm also involved with most children's causes, because children can't help the environment they're in. Show less «
I took all the philosophy courses I could.
I took all the philosophy courses I could.
I have adopted clothes from all the projects I'm in. It's really been a while since I've bought anything myself.
I have adopted clothes from all the projects I'm in. It's really been a while since I've bought anything myself.
It's still a bottom-line business. You can be out of control, and if they want you, they'll pick you. And you can be a mensch, and if you're...Show more »
It's still a bottom-line business. You can be out of control, and if they want you, they'll pick you. And you can be a mensch, and if you're not the product they want, you won't get it. Show less «
I don't have any blindness when it comes to my money. As an actor, you can get distracted by your work. I do keep an eye on my nest egg, if ...Show more »
I don't have any blindness when it comes to my money. As an actor, you can get distracted by your work. I do keep an eye on my nest egg, if you will. Show less «
The movie that's had the most effect on me is Jaws (1975). To this day when I'm in the ocean, I'm hearing that music.
The movie that's had the most effect on me is Jaws (1975). To this day when I'm in the ocean, I'm hearing that music.
My first paid acting job was a movie called Fandango (1985). It also starred Kevin Costner.
My first paid acting job was a movie called Fandango (1985). It also starred Kevin Costner.
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