Judith Roberts
Encyclopedia
Judith Anna Roberts, whose birthname is Judith Lebreque, is an American stage
, film
and television
actress best known for her role as the Beautiful Girl Across the Hall in the 1977 film Eraserhead
. She was married to Pernell Roberts
from 1962 to 1971 and appeared as a guest star with her ex-husband on his series Trapper John, M.D.
.
' Minnie and Moskowitz
, although it is believed that she had previously been in several low-budget movies. She later appeared in the film adaptation of The Late, Great Planet Earth
and also worked for Woody Allen
in Stardust Memories
.
In 2007 Roberts played a judge named Shaw in James Wan
's Death Sentence, which is a reference to the Mary Shaw character played by her in Dead Silence
.
Off Broadway
Regional
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
, film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
actress best known for her role as the Beautiful Girl Across the Hall in the 1977 film Eraserhead
Eraserhead
Eraserhead is a 1977 American surrealist film and the first feature film of David Lynch, who wrote, produced and directed. Lynch began working on the film at the AFI Conservatory, which gave him a $10,000 grant to make the film after he had begun working there following his 1971 move to Los Angeles...
. She was married to Pernell Roberts
Pernell Roberts
Pernell Elvin Roberts, Jr. was an American stage, movie and television actor, as well as a singer. In addition to guest starring in over 60 television series, he was widely known for his roles as Ben Cartwright's eldest son, Adam Cartwright, on the western series Bonanza, a role he played from...
from 1962 to 1971 and appeared as a guest star with her ex-husband on his series Trapper John, M.D.
Trapper John, M.D.
Trapper John, M.D. is an American television medical drama and spin-off of the film MASH, concerning a lovable surgeon who became a mentor and father figure in San Francisco, California. The show ran on CBS from September 23, 1979, to September 4, 1986....
.
Career
Roberts' appearance belied a fiery emotional core, one she used to devastating effect in her most recognized dramatic roles. She began her career in the theater, and her first film role was a small part in John CassavetesJohn Cassavetes
John Nicholas Cassavetes was an American actor, screenwriter and filmmaker. He acted in many Hollywood films, notably Rosemary's Baby and The Dirty Dozen...
' Minnie and Moskowitz
Minnie and Moskowitz
Minnie and Moskowitz is a film by John Cassavetes, starring his wife, Gena Rowlands, and actor Seymour Cassel in the title roles of Minnie and Moskowitz, respectively.-Plot:...
, although it is believed that she had previously been in several low-budget movies. She later appeared in the film adaptation of The Late, Great Planet Earth
The Late, Great Planet Earth
The Late, Great Planet Earth is the title of a best-selling 1970 book co-authored by Hal Lindsey and Carole C. Carlson, and first published by Zondervan. The book was adapted in 1979 into a movie narrated by Orson Welles and released by Pacific International Enterprises. It was originally...
and also worked for Woody Allen
Woody Allen
Woody Allen is an American screenwriter, director, actor, comedian, jazz musician, author, and playwright. Allen's films draw heavily on literature, sexuality, philosophy, psychology, Jewish identity, and the history of cinema...
in Stardust Memories
Stardust Memories
Stardust Memories is a 1980 film written and directed by Woody Allen, who considers this to be one of his best films in addition to The Purple Rose of Cairo and Match Point. The film is shot in black-and-white, particularly reminiscent of Federico Fellini's 8½ , which it parodies...
.
In 2007 Roberts played a judge named Shaw in James Wan
James Wan
James Wan is a Malaysian-born Australian producer, screenwriter, and film director of Chinese heritage. He is widely known for directing the horror film Saw and creating Billy the puppet. He also directed Dead Silence, Death Sentence and Insidious.-Life and career:Wan was born in Kuching, Sarawak,...
's Death Sentence, which is a reference to the Mary Shaw character played by her in Dead Silence
Dead Silence
Dead Silence is a 2007 horror film, directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell, the creators of Saw...
.
Selected filmography
- Minnie and MoskowitzMinnie and MoskowitzMinnie and Moskowitz is a film by John Cassavetes, starring his wife, Gena Rowlands, and actor Seymour Cassel in the title roles of Minnie and Moskowitz, respectively.-Plot:...
(1971), as Wife - Nashville Girl (1976), as Fran
- The Student Body (1976), as Mrs. Blalock
- EraserheadEraserheadEraserhead is a 1977 American surrealist film and the first feature film of David Lynch, who wrote, produced and directed. Lynch began working on the film at the AFI Conservatory, which gave him a $10,000 grant to make the film after he had begun working there following his 1971 move to Los Angeles...
(1977) as the Beautiful Girl Across the Hall - The Late, Great Planet EarthThe Late, Great Planet EarthThe Late, Great Planet Earth is the title of a best-selling 1970 book co-authored by Hal Lindsey and Carole C. Carlson, and first published by Zondervan. The book was adapted in 1979 into a movie narrated by Orson Welles and released by Pacific International Enterprises. It was originally...
(1979), as Whore of Babylon - Stardust MemoriesStardust MemoriesStardust Memories is a 1980 film written and directed by Woody Allen, who considers this to be one of his best films in addition to The Purple Rose of Cairo and Match Point. The film is shot in black-and-white, particularly reminiscent of Federico Fellini's 8½ , which it parodies...
(1980), as Singer of 'Three Little Words' - Happy End (1985)
- Mother's BoysMother's BoysMother's Boys is a 1994 thriller film starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Peter Gallagher, Joanne Whalley and Vanessa Redgrave.-Plot summary:Jude Madigan suddenly and inexplicably leaves her husband, Robert , and three sons. Three years later, when Robert finally files for divorce, Jude returns and tries...
(1994), Narrator - FacelessFacelessUK bonus tracks-Personnel:* Sully Erna - rhythm guitar, vocals, producer* Tony Rombola - lead guitar, back-up vocals* Robbie Merrill - bass, back-up vocals* Shannon Larkin - drums, percussion* Tommy Stewart - Drums on "I Stand Alone"...
(1996), as Marge Garacci - Fast Food Fast WomenFast Food Fast WomenFast Food Fast Women is a 2000 romantic comedy written and directed by Amos Kollek. The tag line for the film was "There are 18 million people in New York City, but only one like Bella." It was entered into the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:...
(2000), as Bella's Mother - Dead SilenceDead SilenceDead Silence is a 2007 horror film, directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell, the creators of Saw...
(2007), as Mary Shaw - Death Sentence (2007), as Judge Shaw
- The Nanny DiariesThe Nanny Diaries (film)The Nanny Diaries is a 2007 American comedy-drama film, based on the novel of the same name by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. Written and directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, it stars Scarlett Johansson, Alicia Keys, Paul Giamatti, and Laura Linney; and was produced by Richard N...
(2007), as Milicent
TV appearances
- Trapper John, M.D.Trapper John, M.D.Trapper John, M.D. is an American television medical drama and spin-off of the film MASH, concerning a lovable surgeon who became a mentor and father figure in San Francisco, California. The show ran on CBS from September 23, 1979, to September 4, 1986....
(1983) - Remington SteeleRemington SteeleRemington Steele is an American television series, co-created by Robert Butler and Michael Gleason. The series, starring Stephanie Zimbalist and Pierce Brosnan, was produced by MTM Enterprises and first broadcast on the NBC network from 1982 to 1987. The series blended the genres of romantic...
(1983) - Law & OrderLaw & OrderLaw & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
(two episodes, 1991–2000), as Harriet/Judge Schepps - Law & Order: Criminal IntentLaw & Order: Criminal IntentLaw & Order: Criminal Intent is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it was also primarily produced. Created and produced by Dick Wolf and René Balcer, the series premiered on September 30, 2001, as the second spin-off of Wolf's successful crime drama...
("Suite SorrowSuite Sorrow"Suite Sorrow" is a second season episode of the television series Law & Order: Criminal Intent.-Plot summary:In this episode, Detectives Goren and Eames investigate the death of a wealthy owner of a magnificent hotel, found naked and drowned - or it so appears - in her bathtub...
", 2003), as Wealthy woman - New AmsterdamNew Amsterdam (TV series)New Amsterdam is an American television drama, which premiered March 4, 2008 on Fox, and ended after its eighth episode.-Premise and plot:...
("Pilot") as Julia
Stage
Broadway- Present Laughter
Off Broadway
- The Voysey Inheritance
- CSC
- Richard III
- Zastrozzi
- Umbrellas of Cherbourgh
- EST
- Tesla's Letters
- MCC
- Trudy Blue
Regional
- Dybuk,Hartford Stage Company
- Milk Car Doesn't Stop Here Anymore,Hartford Stage Company