Teal'c

Image pilfered from someone's site. Was it yours?

Christopher Judge

There's not a lot about this man on the Internet.  That's something I'm hoping to rectify soon.  Hopefully! 

According to the Internet Movie Database Chris was born on the 13th of October but failed to give the year.  Last time I heard what age he was it was around the same age as I was, so that puts it at either 1966 or 1967, at a guess.  There was no location given, but I get the impression he's lived in LA all his life.  Pretty informative,  aren't I?? LOL - sorry.

One interesting fact about this man is that he's listed as Christopher Judge, but  also as D. Christopher Judge and Douglas Judge and also Doug Judge (As credited in his MacGyver episode).  Therefore, and I'm just guessing here, but I'd say Christopher is his second name.  Pretty astute,  I am!!

For a guy who spends an hour each week scowling at everyone Christopher Judge has one LOVELY smile, and the most wicked laugh!!  WOW!! :))))  Image stolen from the interview with OnDemand. 

I think I'll like seeing Teal'c with hair too (Oppps, for those that don't know what I'm on about.. err.. pretend you didn't read it here.. okay? Now, move on!)  I agree, I think Teal'c would try to adapt more to earth but I dont know how growing hair would do that, considering there's a HEAP of bald and nearly bald people out there. (Um, perhaps a skip down to the next paragraph is in order for those *still* unaware of what I'm talking about.. that's it.. yeah, just go down to the next paragraph.. good)  And I actually always assumed that Teal'c was naturally bald, if you know what I mean??   I did read once that Chris went to the auditions with a full head of hair, but thinking he didn't get the job, he shaved it (or had it cut really short - my memory fails me here) and then he heard he had the gig and it was like.. "Ooops".    So I knew that Christopher Judge had hair, I just thought that Teal'c was naturally bald.

But it will be interesting to see him with hair, for the first 5 minutes, then I'll not notice it again. (Oh, sheeesh!   Um.. go even further down please.. thanks :))))  ) Anything but that RUG they had him in in that episode, "the GameKeeper".  God, I nearly spat my Coke (err.. DRINK guys!!  Sheesh!!) at the television screen when Jack yanked Teal'c's hat off.  You know I'd LOVE to see an episode without the Symbol.  I know, I know.... sacrilege but .. call me interested :) That's all :)))

For those that don't know.... and what fan of the show wouldn't, but there we go... the Gold Emblem on Teal'c's forehead symbolises his alignment with Apophis - the Serpent God.  If you look closely you can see it's a little worm emblem.   Once you receive your first symbiont you are apparently 'tattooed' this way.   They carve the skin and then pour molten gold into the wound.   Sound's great.. no really... I'd just LOVE to have molten gold poured onto a raw open wound.. wouldn't you??   LOL.  At least Chris' preparation for the symbol is less painful.  It used to be in three parts and they had to wait until each part dried before proceeding then they had to paint it gold.. *yawn*  sounds tedious and time consuming.  Why not make a latex form of it???  Apparently now it's one piece that they slap onto his head in next to no time and he's outta there!

I'm curious though, if this tattoo happens when you receive your first symbiont then why does Rya'k (sp?) not have one when we encounter him in Family?  Afterall, he had received his symbiont (by his own father's hands too!)  in Bloodlines.   Perhaps it's because he will never be a Serpent Guard? But then Bra'tek says to Teal'c that he now has one new warrior to train.. so.. anyhow..*shrugs* .. it's just a thought...

Christopher said that the Serpent's Guard Armour was cumbersome and HOT, especially as they filmed a lot of his first scenes in the Canadian summer and he was trapped inside this heavily knitted armour (now I think I read somewhere that the knitted armour came from England.  I could be wrong, as it's a sketchy memory!!) . He said that the Helmet was the most uncomfortable part of it because it was heavy, but that it does really retracts and looks good on the screen and, basically, that's what's important.

@ :-(    << that's my computer drawing of Teal'c .. pretty good huh? LOL!! I know *bows* I'm just sooooo  artistic!!! 

So, we know that Teal'c left Chu'lak to join Jack and friends in the fight against Apophis, leaving behind a beautiful wife, Drey'ak,  and adoring son, Rya'k.  But what of Christopher??

Well, believe it or not, I read a LONG time ago that the man was married with 3 children.  Now, I may have been vaguing out at the time (I hear that audible gasp from you!  Slida.. vaguing out!!??  I know.. weird as it may seem ;-D ) but in the OnDemand interview the guy came across as VERY single and when he was asked what made a successful relationship for him, he laughed and said he'd never been in a successful relationship, so wouldn't know, but that being with someone who can tolerate him would come close.  I'm sure there's plenty out there that would more than tolerate this guy! 

Hmmmm...  moving right along  ....

Christopher excelled at Football. Apparently he attended the University of Oregon on a full football scholarship and I believe he was studying Psych Major (basically he realised that he didn't have the head for the maths needed for his PreMed Major and at some stage studied for a Philosophy Major then he was a Psych Major for 2 years. Phew!)    In researching this info for this site I learnt he that eventually earned his degree in telecommunications and film????  So to be honest?  I have no idea what this guy studied at University LOL.. ( and I thought my Uni career was confusing!!) but he did do it on a Football Scholarship! You can trust me on that point!  Hahaha

As a Defensive Safety, Christopher was All-American (three times) who played in the Hula Bowl in his senior year.  According to him he was young and brash and cocky and football was his love!!!  It was a gift given to him.. and a means to an end.  He said he played in the Hula Bowl straight out of school  so when a Dallas Cowboy scout came up and told him that he'd have a shot at playing for the Dallas Cowboys, if only he'd lose the attitude, Chris promptly said.. "F*ck the Cowboys!"   Attitude?  What f*cking attitude, right?  LOL ;-D    But he says he's mellowed a bit now.. yeah, right! Hahaha.

Being a sports minded person of course, Chris would be into a healthy lifestyle, right?  Yeah, right!  You know, he never DID clearly answered the ummm herbal cigarette question, but GOD his laugh was great!! LOL!! 

He did admit though to being a smoker, for the sake of his weight apparently!  Um, yeah, again.. we believe you Chris.. truly we do ;-D    He likes cigars. Hmm, love the smell of a good cigar myself!!    Chris has been smoking for 2 years since the Pilot apparently because he has a weight problem so he counteracts it with smoking.  Novel approach, perhaps I should try it myself!   I still wonder about the herbal cigarette question though ;-D

So we know he didn't make it as a Football Star.. so what was Christopher's first gig?  Considering that he knew since Junior High that he wanted to be an actor, he participated in a competition in Oregon to host a morning television show. Apparently he showed a real flair for comedy and his witty 5 minute presentation won him the competition and he got to host his own morning show for half a year.  In his own words, and followed by another bout of deep laughter, he said...   He stunk!

He then went onto study at the Howard Fine Studio. 

His next gig was working on the movie, 'Bird on a Wire' with Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn in 1990.  He regards this as his first acting gig really and he tells how he actually went in for another part but it was cut from the movie so they offered him the part of the Police Officer instead!!  Way to go to make an impression!!!  :-) 

Chris then played a police officer chasing after Mel and Goldie, and on his first day on set and he had to work with Mel and Goldie  and he was feeling pretty darn nervous.   In his very first scene he had to stunt drive to his mark and he was assured by the Head Stunt guy that the 'extra's' were all stunt people and to not worry about them, that they'd get out of the way...

WELL!  Poor Chris.. cos one 'extra' froze apparently and Chris had to slam on his brakes and he just missed the guy by inches.    Too close..!!  Then, of course, he was totally nervous and he blew his line and Goldie started giggling and saved the day for him.  It was nice to hear that he was petrified to work with these two...   sorts of 'normalises' him a little - huh?   But Christopher said he felt like one of the family on that shoot and told how he met Kurt Russell on the set as well.  Talk about a 6 degrees of separation for Stargate !!

And another 6 Degrees of Separation for Stargate - speaking of coincidences - was the fact that  Christopher also appeared in an episode of MacGyver, playing (surprise!) a Football student that Mac helps get back on the rails again.  "MacGyver" (1985) playing "Deron"(as Doug Judge) in episode: "Live and Learn" (episode # 5.13) 1/15/1990. 

As an aside, there's a running joke happening on set about RDA attracting the "blue rinse brigade" (Hmm   strange.. cos there's not an ounce of blue in MY hair..!!!!! ) and in the OnDemand interview, Chris joked that they should try to get Selma and Patti (The Simpsons) to say... "Ahhhhhh  Stargate...." instead of their usual "Ahhh.. MacGyver!"

So, what else has Christopher Judge worked on?  In 1991 he made the movie, Cadence, and also in 1991 he made the movie, House Party 2.  He talks of working on a television show called Gabriel's Fire where he got to work with James Earl Jones (who he later worked with when JEJ did the voice of Thor in a Stargate episode- Thor's Hammer. (Yet another 6 Degrees of Separation of Stargate! LOL!)

At the time of the OnDemand interview, he was negotiating with Oliver Stone for a part in the movie "On any given Sunday".  AKA The League.  (Directed by Oliver Stone, Written by John Logan. When I ran my research it was currently in production (Jan 6th) so I guess he didn't get that gig   :-(

So this leads us up to Stargate SG-1.   Teal'c first premiered in the series pilot, The Children of the Gods, and the character was not included in the movie.  He is a Serpent Guard who sees in Jack, a saviour, of sorts.  He sees someone who can finally fulfil his promise of 'helping these people!' so Teal'c trusts him and turns on his own people, killing in order to help free Jack and the others captured by Apophis. 

Teal'c is a wonderful character;  we learn about other cultures and different races through him as he used to hold a key position as Apophis' First Prime.  There's a lot of information lurking beneath that stoic surface and it's great watching, week by week, how it just flows to the surface, and is gently offered to the Tau'ri by this warm and gentle alien.

Christopher enjoys playing Teal'c and likes the challenge of having to let everything reflect off Teal'c's face, and having to express his feelings non verbally and with other mannerisms etc.  There's no denying Teal'c's great admiration, respect and loyalty for Jack, and his deep friendship for Daniel and Sam.   That comes over so clearly.  As a writer, I enjoy writing for Teal'c.  I can *see* him so easily in my mind. He's a strong character, and Christopher has some really great 'habits' like the brow arch, the slow blink usually accompanied by the turn of the head, the tilt of the head and the clenching of the jaw...  He portrays so much in such simple gestures.  And that voice!!!  Oooohh Aaaahhh ;-D 

As far as working on the show goes, he is happy to be doing Stargate ( I believe it is guaranteed for the next 4 years now, I may be wrong. ) and when asked about whether production will move down to LA, he declined to comment, saying that he's not allowed to talk about the rumour that the show might move to LA.   *Shrugs*  Rumours!  Don't you hate them! I watched SLIDERS get ruined once it was moved to LA..... so I'm not eager to hear this news actually... but at least there'd be less trees LOL.

When asked who the biggest prankster on set was, Chris gave another throaty laugh and blamed RDA and RDA's stunt Double (Dan Shay??), saying that the three of them hold  (.. err... to the best of my knowledge I think this is what he was on about....)  WIND competitions :)))   

In their own interviews, Michael Shanks and Amanda Tapping both cite Judge as being the funniest on set, and one of the easiest people to work with. 

Because of his size, one would think that he'd be perfect to work his own stunts, but he is a lead actor and therefore, insurance wouldn't let him do many of the stunts we see Teal'c doing.  He says he has a very good stunt man and for insurance reasons he isn't allowed to do them (See.... told you!   :-P~~~)  but that he does do them to an extent. 

During 'Bird on a Wire' he had this stunt to do with Mel Gibson, when Mel had to lift him up and throw him onto a table.  Apparently they hadn't accounted for his weight (what? you weren't smoking back then, Chris?? ;-D ) and the table splinted, and a shard speared into the jugular of an extra and really damaged them.  Needless to say, Chris is a little shy to do stunts ever since!  I'm not surprised!!!   Ewwww!!! 

So, what's the future for this actor?  At present he is writing a story arc for Teal'c which will be interesting to see.  He has also written a Pilot, and just shot a whacky little 'short'  trying to get a feature deal out of it.  It's called Hacks and is about stand up comedians and their struggle to make it in LA.   I wish him success in that venture!!!!

And because he basically doesn't like actors (LOL!!), he figures he probably wont ever direct. He also doesn't like to be meticulous, which you need to be when you direct!   He thought he'd like to Produce though, so maybe he's the next Producer of Stargate SG-1.

So if he wasn't acting what would Christopher Judge be doing?  Playing golf!!!!  It's what he does when he's not working.    He has a real passion for the game and says that he'd be  POOR, broke and starving because he's bad at it and doesn't have the aptitude for it, but that he loves it!    "It's  a passion," he said.  When asked what his handicap was he quipped, "my clubs"  ;-D 

Michael Shanks also loves golf, so I wonder who influenced whom here???  But don't worry..... I wont make the same mistake I made over on Michael Shanks' page by saying that *I*  love golf and wouldn't mind playing a round with him (meaning Chris) ... .. no.. I wont do that mistake again ;-D    Apparently a small group (including Shanks, Don. S. Davis and writers etc) went on a four day golfing trip recently and reportedly did nothing but golf.  Sounds like fun!!

Skiing also.  Michael Shanks has influenced Chris here I should imagine.  Chris only learnt to ski last year, and he was looking forward to getting back with Mike to Vancouver to Ski, and mentioned something about   "Whistlers?" - whatever that means (yeah yeah, ignorant Aussie here ;-D). 

Others like RDA and MS are noted for their work with Charities, especially RDA. So would Christopher become involved in any Charity work?   Definitely!  He'd lend his name and more importantly his time, to a charity for children, because, as he says, "they're our future." Sweet!

One thing you may not know about this guy is this!!  He used to steal Cable!!!  (Yeee Gads!!!  the criminal!!!)   In his own words;  he got an "A" in slicing.  LOL!!!    He said that the guy upstairs used to pay for the cable and that he would make breakfast sometimes.. (breaky????  Hmmm... oh.. okay...  ;-D  Obviously an all night session of watching Cable..huh? )

So what does Chris want to be when he grows up??   Basically he wants to be a good guy.. not walk around and be a dick head.. but says he tends to fail quickly at that resolution! 

I dont know.....  From what I've seen, heard and read, he seems pretty cool to me :)

Please note: It took me MANY hours to correlate this information and then to put it all here from my notes.  As far as I know it's the most comprehensive site for information on Christopher Judge and I spent ages getting this information together.   I really have no problem with you taking some stuff from here, I'd just appreciate any use of stuff from this site to be acknowledged on your site please. This text as written is Copyrighted to Slida. 

All information from this site was correlated from:

Live Chat on line with Melanie at OnDemand

The Internet Movie Database Ltd

Entertainment asylum

Background research:

Online interviews with the actors of SG-1. These interviews are archived at various sites.

I read the SG-1's interview w/Chris Judge (Mirai's interview).

Various magazine articles that I couldn't afford to buy so read in the shop instead.  Hence, I rely on my memory a lot. Believe me.  It's a worry!  LOL   ;-D

(Oh, and that ond blasted magazine that I DO own but that I can't find anymore so cant quote or refer to it!! I believe the article was titled: "Child of the Gods.")