Christopher Judge

Last updated

Christopher Judge
Chris Judge 2015.jpg
Judge in 2015
Born
Occupation(s)Actor, voice actor
Years active1990–present
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm) [1]
Children3, including Cameron

Christopher Judge is an American actor. He is best known for playing Teal'c in the Canadian-American military science fiction television series Stargate SG-1, and for being the second actor to portray Kratos in the God of War video game series, playing the role in God of War (2018) and its sequel God of War Ragnarök (2022). He attended the University of Oregon on a football scholarship and was a Pacific-10 Conference player.

Contents

Early life

Judge wanted to be an actor from an early age, and studied drama in high school. [2] "The television set was my babysitter growing up. I can remember wanting to invoke the feelings that I was getting from television—I wanted to be the one who was the catalyst for those feelings in other people. Performing was something I've always known I was going to do." [1] He always knew that sports would be a stepping stone to an acting career. [3]

Judge received a scholarship from the University of Oregon and played defensive back and safety for the Ducks from 1982 to 1985. He led in kickoff return yardage for 1983-84 and interceptions in 1984, and won the Casanova Award in 1982, [4] awarded to the freshman or newcomer of the year. While at Oregon, Judge was a Pacific-10 Conference Selection in 1984 and played in the 1985 Hula Bowl. [4]

Judge won a contest to host a radio show in Oregon, and in his senior year he won a regional contest to host the West Coast FOX KLSR Morning Show, [5] an "MTV talk show type thing"; he used this experience to get an agent and move back to Los Angeles. [6]

Career

Acting

Judge at the 2008 Armageddon Convention in Christchurch, New Zealand ChristopherJudgeAtConvention.jpg
Judge at the 2008 Armageddon Convention in Christchurch, New Zealand

In 1989 Judge began studying at the Howard Fine Studio in Los Angeles. [6] His early roles in the 1990s included Bird on a Wire , Cadence , Neon Rider and MacGyver with future Stargate SG-1 star Richard Dean Anderson. In the ensuing years, Judge had small parts in various television shows and films such as 21 Jump Street (with future SG-1 director Peter DeLuise), The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air , and House Party 2 , and as a regular on Sirens from 1994 to 1995.

Judge's largest role came in 1997 with Stargate SG-1 . While at a friend's house, he saw his friend's roommate practicing for an audition for the show and was intrigued. While the roommate was away, Judge looked at the audition notes, called his agent, and insisted he get him an audition or lose him as a client. [7] At the audition, there were three actors trying out for each of the other principal roles, but eight or ten for the role of Teal'c. Judge was confident that he had acquired the part when they dismissed everyone who had read for the part except him. [1]

Judge's subsequent work includes guest spots on Andromeda , Stargate Atlantis , The Mentalist , the television film Personal Effects, and the films Snow Dogs and A Dog's Breakfast , the latter written and directed by fellow Stargate actor David Hewlett. Judge appeared in "Anonymous", the October 26, 2010 episode of NCIS: Los Angeles , and as one of Bane's henchmen in the 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises .

Writing

Judge wrote four Stargate SG-1 episodes: season five's "The Warrior", season six's "The Changeling", season seven's "Birthright", and season eight's "Sacrifices".[ citation needed ]

After Stargate SG-1 was cancelled, Judge began writing a script for a show called Rage of Angels that would have enabled him to play "the lead in an hour formatted show and prove that a black lead can be commercially viable and sustainable in overseas markets." [8] The script was marketed as a two-hour, back door pilot with MGM, [8] but is now apparently with Direct TV and Starz Media. [9]

Voice work

Judge during the Toulouse Game Show in 2012 Christopher Judge - Stand Radio Toulouse - Toulouse Game Show - 2012-12-02- P1500666.jpg
Judge during the Toulouse Game Show in 2012

Judge has also done voice acting for animated series and video games, including Magneto on X-Men: Evolution , and the canceled Stargate SG-1: The Alliance .

In the season eight episode, "Avatar", Teal'c informs SG-1 that he plays Def Jam Vendetta , alluding to the fact that Judge had provided the voice of D-Mob, the main antagonist in that game. He once again appeared as D-Mob in the sequel, Def Jam: Fight for NY . He voiced Jericho in Turok .[ citation needed ]

Judge provided the voice of Zodak on the 2002 He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon as well as Coach Grey in the Action Man CGI series from 2000.[ citation needed ]

On June 14, 2016, Judge confirmed he was the voice actor for Kratos in the 2018 God of War , replacing longtime voice actor Terrence C. Carson. [10] He reprised the role in God of War Ragnarök . [11]

Personal life

Judge is involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada and is an avid golfer. [12]

His son, Cameron, is a professional Canadian football linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders; Cameron played college football for UCLA and was drafted 2nd overall in the 2017 CFL Draft. [13] His other son, Christopher Jordan, played college football for Cal Poly and was drafted 71st overall in the 2019 CFL Draft. [14]

According to tweets from Judge, he could not walk in 2019, and he had to undergo surgery to have both his hips replaced, alongside back and knee surgery. [15]

Awards and nominations

In 2002, Judge was nominated for a Saturn Award in the category of Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series for his work on Stargate SG-1. [16]

On February 13, 2019 at the 22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, Judge accepted the award for Outstanding Achievement in Character for his performance as Kratos in God of War . [17] [18] During 2023's 26th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, Judge again accepted the award for Outstanding Achievement in Character as Kratos in God of War Ragnarök . [19]

In 2019, Judge was nominated for the British Academy Games Award for Performer at the 15th British Academy Games Awards, but he lost to his co-star Jeremy Davies. [20] He was subsequently nominated for and won the Performer in a Leading Role at the 19th British Academy Games Awards in 2023. [21]

In 2022, Judge won the award for Best Performance at Game Awards 2022 for his role in God of War Ragnarök as Kratos. [22]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1990 Bird on a Wire Cop at CafeCredited as Doug Judge
Cadence Psych. Ward M.P. #1Credited as Douglas Judge
1991 House Party 2 MilesCredited as D. Christopher Judge
1997 Stargate: Children of the Gods Teal'c Direct-to-video
2001Out of LineAlfonso James
2002 Snow Dogs Dr. Brooks
Romantic Comedy 101 Nigel Television film
2005Personal EffectsNate Wall
2007 A Dog's Breakfast Chris
2008 Stargate: The Ark of Truth Teal'cDirect-to-video
Stargate: Continuum
Max Steel: Bio CrisisJefferson (voice) [23]
2010 Paradox Captain Papillo
2011 Dead Space: Aftermath Nickolas KuttnerVoice; direct-to-video [23]
RehabCharles
2012 The Dark Knight Rises Mercenary Assassin
Clash of the Empires AmtharDirect-to-video
2013Smokin'JimShort
2014 Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark Jack Turner
A Tiger's TailJoe Camp
Knock 'em DeadFreddy
To Have and to HoldSampson
WraithWraithVoice; short
The Underground RailroadBear
Reaper Officer Banks
LA Apocalypse (Doomed Planet)Lt. Grisham
LowlifesCommander Randall
NobilityAdmiral Nev
2015 Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! Secret Service Agent
2015Lord of the ElvesAnthar Master of the Hunt
2018Minutes to MidnightRanger Taso

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1990 Neon Rider
MacGyver DeronEpisode: "Live and Learn", credited as Doug Judge
21 Jump Street Man in QueueEpisode: "Unfinished Business", uncredited
Booker Jones/Mover2 episodes
1994–1995 Sirens Off. Richard StilesRecurring role, season 2 (22 episodes); credited as D. Christopher Judge
1995 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air WorkmanEpisode: "There's the Rub: Part 2", credited as D. Christopher Judge
1997–2007 Stargate SG-1 Teal'c Main role (211 episodes)
2000 Adventures from the Book of Virtues PlatoVoice; main role (season 3) [23]
2001 First Wave XevallahEpisode: "Beneath the Black Sky"
Freedom Doctor RoegEpisode: "Mind Game"
2000–2001 Action Man Coach Simon GreyVoice; recurring role (14 episodes)
2002 Just Cause Reverend Lester StokesEpisode: "The Wives of Christmas Past"
2002–2003 Andromeda Hector-Resolution of Hector/Achilles Avatar3 episodes
2000–2003 X-Men: Evolution Magneto Voice; recurring role (20 episodes)
2003–2004 He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Zodak, ZeelahrVoice, 4 episodes; credited as Chris Judge [23]
2007–2008 Stargate: Atlantis Teal'c 2 episodes
2010 NCIS: Los Angeles Assan RefiqEpisode: "Anonymous"
2012 The Mentalist Dante HolmesEpisode: "Pink Champagne on Ice"
2015Chainsaw Sally: The Animated SeriesThe BaronVoice
2017 Wacky Races Brick Crashman, additional voicesVoice; main role [23]
2019–2021 Final Space OreskisVoice, 2 episodes
2022 The Guardians of Justice President Nicholas E. Nukem

Video games

YearTitleRoleNotes
2003 Def Jam Vendetta D-Mob [23]
2004 Def Jam Fight for NY Credited as Chris Judge
World of Warcraft Additional voices
2008 Turok JerichoCredited as Chris Judge
2013 Stargate SG-1: Unleashed Teal'cVoice and likeness
2014 World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor Additional voices
2015 StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void
2018 God of War Kratos Voice and motion capture [23]
World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth Akunda / Gorak Tul / Sunwalker Ordel
2021 Marvel's Avengers T'Challa / Black Panther War for Wakanda DLC expansion
2022 God of War Ragnarök KratosVoice and motion capture [23]
2023 God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla Voice and motion capture; DLC expansion

Writing

YearTitleEpisodeNotes
2002 Stargate SG-1 "The Warrior"Season 5, episode 18. Aired in January.
2003"The Changeling"Season 6, episode 19. Aired in February.
"Birthright"Season 7, episode 10. Aired in August.
2004"Sacrifices"Season 8, episode 09. Aired in September.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teal'c</span> Fictional character in "Stargate"

Teal'c of Chulak is a fictional character in the 1997 military science fiction television series Stargate SG-1. Portrayed by Christopher Judge, Teal'c is a Jaffa warrior from the planet Chulak. As a Jaffa, Teal'c is a genetically modified human with an abdominal pouch that serves as an incubator for a larval Goa'uld. The larval symbiote grants enhanced strength, health, healing, and longevity; Teal'c is around 100 years old during the show's run and ages an additional 50 years in the final SG-1 episode. Teal'c's most notable feature is a golden tattoo found on his forehead, a sign that he once served the System Lord Apophis as First Prime, the most senior Jaffa rank.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Children of the Gods</span> 1st and 2nd episodes of the 1st season of Stargate SG-1

"Children of the Gods" is the first episode of the military science fiction television series Stargate SG-1. It was written by producers Jonathan Glassner and Brad Wright and was directed by Mario Azzopardi. The episode first aired on July 27, 1997, on Showtime. Originally presented as a television movie, the episode would later be split into two parts for repeats and syndicated viewings. A new, updated cut, which is entitled "Children of the Gods – The Final Cut" was released on DVD on July 21, 2009 by MGM Home Entertainment.

Cameron Mitchell (<i>Stargate</i>) Stargate character

Colonel Cameron "Cam" Mitchell, USAF is a fictional character in the 1997 American military science fiction television series Stargate SG-1, a science fiction show about a military team exploring the galaxy via a network of alien transportation devices. Played by Ben Browder, Cameron Mitchell is introduced as a main character in the season 9 premiere "Avalon", holding the military rank of lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force. Learning of the SG-1 team's off-screen separation after the previous season, Mitchell is assigned as new commanding officer of SG-1, which he remains throughout season 10 (2006–2007) and the direct-to-DVD films Stargate: The Ark of Truth, ending at the rank of colonel for Stargate: Continuum (2008).

"Within the Serpent's Grasp" is the first season finale of the science fiction television series Stargate SG-1. The episode continues on from the events of "There But for the Grace of God" and "Politics" and concludes in the season 2 opening episode "The Serpent's Lair". Written by James Crocker, showrunner Jonathan Glassner adapted the story into a teleplay, with David Warry-Smith directing. The episode first aired on March 6, 1998 on Showtime in the United States and on August 26, 1998 on Sky One in the United Kingdom.

"Birthright" is the 10th episode from the seventh season military science fiction adventure television show Stargate SG-1. The 142nd episode overall, "Birthright" was first broadcast on the Sci-fi Channel in the United States on August 15, 2003. The episode was written by Christopher Judge, who is best known as the character Teal'c on the show. Peter Woeste directed the episode.

"Orpheus" is the 4th episode from the seventh season of military science fiction adventure television show Stargate SG-1 and is the 136th overall. It was first broadcast on June 27, 2003, on the Sci-Fi Channel. The episode was written and directed by Peter DeLuise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Small Victories</span> 1st episode of the 4th season of Stargate SG-1

"Small Victories" is the first episode from season four of the science fiction television series Stargate SG-1. Penned by Robert C. Cooper and directed by Martin Wood, the episode first aired on the American subscription channel Showtime on June 30, 2000. "Small Victories" resumes the story of the season 3 finale, "Nemesis", in which the SG-1 team encountered the Replicators for the first time. As the Replicators threaten Earth and the Asgard home galaxy, the team must split to master their job.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrence C. Carson</span> American actor (born 1958)

Terrence C. Carson is an American actor, best known for portraying Kyle Barker on the FOX sitcom Living Single, and as the first actor to portray Kratos in the God of War video game series, playing the role from 2005 to 2013. He has also been the voice of Mace Windu in various Star Wars media.

Kratos (<i>God of War</i>) Character and protagonist of the God of War video game series

Kratos is a character and the protagonist of Santa Monica Studio's God of War series, based on Greek mythology and, later, Norse mythology. He first appeared in the 2005 video game God of War, which led to the development of eight additional titles featuring the character as the protagonist. Kratos also appears as the protagonist of the 2010 and 2018 comic series, as well as three novels retelling the events of three of the games. The character was voiced by Terrence C. Carson from 2005 to 2013, with Christopher Judge taking over the role in 2018's continuation, also titled God of War. Antony Del Rio voiced a young Kratos in Ghost of Sparta.

<i>Stargate SG-1</i> season 8 Season of television series

The eighth season of Stargate SG-1, an American-Canadian military science fiction television series, began airing on July 9, 2004, on the Sci Fi channel. The eighth season concluded on February 22, 2005, after 20 episodes on British Sky One, which overtook the Sci Fi Channel in mid-season. This was the first season of the show to have 20 episodes instead of 22, as well as the first to air concurrently with Stargate SG-1 spinoff series Stargate Atlantis. The series was originally developed by Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner, while Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper served as executive producers. Season eight regular cast members include Richard Dean Anderson, Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge, and Michael Shanks

<i>Stargate SG-1</i> season 3 Season of television series

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<i>Stargate SG-1</i> season 5 Season of television series

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<i>Stargate SG-1</i> season 6 Season of television series

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<i>Stargate SG-1</i> season 7 Season of television series

The seventh season of Stargate SG-1, an American-Canadian television series, began airing on June 13, 2003 on Sci Fi. The seventh season concluded after 22 episodes on March 9, 2004 on British Sky One, which overtook the Sci-Fi Channel in mid-season. The series was developed by Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner. Season seven regular cast members include Richard Dean Anderson, Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge, Don S. Davis, and Michael Shanks.

God of War is an action-adventure game franchise created by David Jaffe and developed by Sony's Santa Monica Studio. It began in 2005 on the PlayStation 2 (PS2) video game console and has become a flagship series for PlayStation, consisting of nine installments across multiple platforms. Based on ancient mythologies, the series' plot follows Kratos, a Spartan warrior who becomes the God of War and comes into conflict with various mythological pantheons. The earlier games in the series are based on Greek mythology and see Kratos follow a path of vengeance against the Olympian gods; the later games are based on Norse mythology and see Kratos go on a path of redemption while also introducing his son Atreus as a secondary protagonist.

Characters of <i>God of War</i> List of fictional characters from the God of War video game franchise

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<i>God of War</i> (2018 video game) Action-adventure game

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunny Suljic</span> American actor and skateboarder (born 2005)

Sunny Suljic is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Bob in Yorgos Lanthimos's 2017 drama The Killing of a Sacred Deer and as the voice and motion capture actor for Atreus, the son of Kratos, in the 2018 video game God of War, for which he was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Performance in a Video Game and the D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character. He reprised the role in the game's 2022 sequel, God of War Ragnarök, for which he was nominated for Best Performance at The Game Awards 2022, the BAFTA Award for Performer in a Leading Role, and the D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character. In 2018, Suljic had his first lead role in Jonah Hill's film Mid90s, for which he received a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer nomination.

<i>God of War Ragnarök</i> 2022 video game

God of War Ragnarök is a 2022 action-adventure game developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was released worldwide on November 9, 2022, for both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, marking the first cross-gen release in the God of War series, and is set to be released for Windows on September 19, 2024. It is the ninth installment in the series, the ninth chronologically, and the sequel to 2018's God of War. Loosely based on Norse mythology, the game is set in ancient Scandinavia and features series protagonist, Kratos, and his now teenage son, Atreus. Concluding the Norse era of the series, the game covers Ragnarök, the eschatological event which is central to Norse mythology and was foretold to happen in the previous game after Kratos killed the Aesir god Baldur.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Child of the Gods (archived) Archived October 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. Ultimate TV Transcript (archived) Archived March 6, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  3. TV Guide Q&A with Christopher Judge (archived) Archived October 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  4. 1 2 Oregon Ducks Football History Archived 2012-02-08 at the Wayback Machine
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  11. Gilliam, Ryan (September 30, 2021). "Kratos actor says God of War Ragnarok was delayed due to his health". Polygon . Retrieved January 25, 2022.
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  13. "2017 CFL Canadian Amateur Draft". CFLdb Statistics - The Canadian Football Statistics Database. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  14. "2019 CFL Canadian Amateur Draft". CFLdb Statistics - The Canadian Football Statistics Database. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
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  22. Wilde, Tyler (December 8, 2023). "Christopher Judge delivers sick burn about CoD's campaign at The Game Awards". PC Gamer. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Christopher Judge (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)