Judith Sheindlin

Judith Sheindlin, also known as Judge Judy (born October 21, 1942) is an American family court clerk, author, and television personality. After retiring as the supervising Family Court judge in Manhattan, NY, in 1996, she became famous by hosting her own syndicated court show, Judge Judy.

Biography

Sheindlin, who was born Judith Blum in Brooklyn to a Jewish-American family, attended James Madison High School, and then American University in Washington, D.C., graduating in 1963 and then went on to New York Law School, receiving her law degree in 1965, and practiced family law for many years in New York.

In September 1996, her own television program, Judge Judy, debuted. The popularity of Judge Judy has become part of America's popular culture, and she has been nominated eight times for a Daytime Emmy award.

She has been parodied on and actually appeared on Saturday Night Live (with Cheri Oteri acting in the Judge Judy role). She's been mentioned on network TV shows such as Will & Grace and on the Academy Awards.

She has also been parodied on Nickelodeon's program The Amanda Show, in a sketch that has Amanda Bynes playing "Judge Trudy," who hears "cases" of children being treated "unfairly" by their parents. This sketch is also known for dancing lobsters. It had also been spoofed on the Disney Channel show That's So Raven with Judge Foody. She also was parodied in The Simpsons by the character Judge Constance Harm.

She was selected to serve as a judge for the 1999 Miss America Pageant. On May 8, 2007, Sheindlin appeared briefly on American Idol -- introduced as Judge Judy.

In February 2006, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Judge Judy is well-known for her usually less than courteous courtroom manner and humorous quotes, including "Don't pee on my leg, and tell me it's raining!", which provided the title of her first book. She also often makes references to Dr. Phil and Oprah Winfrey, usually when she is trying to emphasize that she's not interested in hearing about a litigant's personal problems, such as:

"You want a therapist, go on Dr. Phil." "This is not Oprah." Also, when someone attempts to change a point that has already been established she ignores them and shouts "Baloney"

Once she also referenced Glenda Hatchett, in response to a request by a defendant (who lost his case) to be sent to anger management counseling, referring to Judge Hatchett, who does issue such orders. Judge Judy responded by stating:

"Judge Hatchett is a terrific gal--great friend of mine--she likes to help people--I don't."