Know Your Judge Show Bailiffs
What you are witnessing is real. The participants are not actors. They are actual bailiffs with litigants to protect in a civil court. All bailiffs have agreed to dismiss their real badges and have their characteristics discussed here, in our forum: YuppiePunk dot org.
Show: “The People’s Court”
Bailiffs: Rusty Burrell (1981-1993); Josephine Ann Longobardi (1997-2001); Davy Jones (2001); Douglas MacIntosh (2001-Present)
Fun fact: Rusty Burell, who served under Judge Wapner, was the bailiff for the infamous Manson trial in the 1960’s; Current bailiff Douglas MacIntosh has parlayed his success into recurring roles on the daytime soaps “One Life to Live” and “All My Children.”
Verdict: All hail Rusty Burrell, king of the judge show bailiffs (Sorry Douglas!).
Show: “Judge Joe Brown”
Bailiffs: “Miss Holly” Evans (1998-2006); “Miss Sonia” Montejano (2006-present)
Fun fact: Montejano enforced security for Courtney Love and Winona Ryder’s court cases during her time as a bailiff in Beverly Hills, California. She also endorses a Studio City reality firm.
Verdict: Miss carriage of justice.
Show: “Eye For an Eye”
Bailiff: Former boxer Big Sugar Ray Phillips
Fun fact: The series was once hosted by OJ houseboy Kato Kaelin.
Verdict: Adding “Big” in front of anyone’s name ups the intimidation factor threefold.
Show: “Judge Judy”
Bailiff: Petri Hawkins-Byrd
Fun fact: Hawkins-Byrd and Judge Judy worked together during their pre-TV years, and when the bailiff found out his previous boss had landed her own TV show, he wrote her a note saying, “If you ever need a bailiff, I still look good in uniform.” The judge agreed, and gave him the gig.
Verdict: Richest. Bailiff. Ever.
Show: “Judge Maria Lopez”
Bailiff: Pete Rodriguez
Fun fact: Producers cast one-time firefighter Rodriguez after spotting him working behind the scenes on several NYC-area TV shows including “Ricki Lake.”
Verdict: Usted es un excelente agente judicial.
Show: “Judge Mathis”
Bailiff: Brendan Anthony Moran (1999 – 2002); Doyle Devereux (2002 – present)
Fun fact: The show’s original bailiff, Brendan Anthony Moran, died after falling from a balcony; Replacement bailiff Doyle Devereux appeared in the 1991 John Candy dud “Only the Lonely” as a tuxedo salesman.
Verdict: Bailiffs and balconies don’t mix. Same with bad movies.
Show: “Divorce Court”
Bailiff: Joseph “Joe” Catalano
Fun Fact: Catalano, a 28-year veteran of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in California, has served under two judges on the show, both Mablean Ephraim and Lynn Toler.
Verdict: Kickass mustache.
Show: “Judge Hatchett”
Bailiff: Tom O’Riordan
Fun fact: O’Riordan received the Medal of Commendation for rescuing a fellow officer who was taking a beating.
Verdict: O’right!
Show: “Judge David Young”
Bailiff: Tawnya Young
Fun fact: Worked as a lieutenant at a Brooklyn small claims Court. “She’s my Costello, and I’m her Elvis,” says the judge. “I’m Jackie, and she’s Norton.”
Verdict: Everbody loves that famous comedy duo Elvis and Costello.
Show: “Christina’s Court”
Bailiff: Renard Spivey
Fun fact: Looks a lot like muscle-bound actor Michael Clarke Duncan.
Verdict: Definitely not related to Gary Spivey.
MIA: Victor Scott, “Judge Alex”; Russel Brown, “Moral Court”
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