Today we’d like to introduce you to King Judah.
Hi King, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am more than just an Actor. I am an Artist and my life is my biggest canvas to which I am still rendering. Art is therapeutic. It resonates with all souls in one way or another. For me, it served as an outlet which eventually turned into one of my biggest passions. Born and raised in Newark, NJ, I took to the Arts at an early age. I was surrounded by it.
Coming from a household where both of my parents and my older brother all took part in the Visual Arts made the connection inevitable for me. As a child, I was certain that my future occupation would take place within the scope of the Visual Arts but life had something else in store for me. During my adolescent years, my father passed away. It was a sensitive moment for me. I suppressed a lot of my feelings and emotions but did not have a form of release. Thanks to my older brother, I grew a love for sports (specifically football, basketball, and baseball), movies, and music. Naturally, I enjoyed watching movies for entertainment but I began to pay closer attention to the actor’s mannerisms within the dialogue. Intrigued by the range of artists like Sidney Poitier and Lou Gossett Jr, the smoothness of Denzel Washington and Gregory Hines, the comedic timing of actors like Will Smith and Eddie Murphy, the ruggedness of Tupac Shakur, and the vocal presence of Keith David, It was only a matter of time before I also developed a love for the Performing Arts. I would find myself trying to memorize movie monologues or think of scenes to act out while at different sports practices.
In a sense, it was a “home away from home” when sports demanded so much from me mentally. As much as I enjoyed taking part in plays and studying various monologues, sports would become my biggest focus throughout my high school and collegiate years. Following those years, I would venture into other careers. I dabbled into law enforcement and public safety for several years before relocating to Atlanta, GA and eventually rekindling my flame with the Performing Arts in 2021. I found my fulfillment on the day I decided to audit an acting class after having one of the worst shifts I’ve ever had as a Police Officer. It was something surreal about being in the atmosphere of unapologetic creative minds putting it all on display. I completely forgot about how bad of a day I had prior to that moment. It sparked a burning desire within my heart that I haven’t felt since a child. It was like I made a deeper connection with that inner child who I tried my best to ignore for the sake of “Adulting”. I found my happy medium. Something that would cater to both entities within myself. That is when I decided to pursue an acting career on a full-time basis.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road less traveled is usually not a smooth one. Like most actors/artists, I’ve endured my shares of ups and downs. For me, my biggest obstacle was getting started all over again from the bottom without any guidance. I was fairly new to Georgia (less than a year of being a resident) and hadn’t come across too many people who indulged in the industry. I found plenty of “industry mixers” that seemed legit but of course, all that glitters isn’t always gold. Eventually, I was networked and linked with some quality people who put me in contact with a few casting agencies where I worked a few gigs as an extra/background actor. From there, it didn’t get any easier. Working as an extra can be both an exciting and draining experience. You come to realize that there’s more to film acting than a just camera and a script. There’s so many working components to achieve the overall picture like the many gears of a clock working just for that one tick. Life as a working actor is very similar to that analogy. From searching for a go-to acting teacher/school, finding a quality headshot photographer, learning about the self-tape process, buying self-tape equipment, etc. The training and growth never ends. So much work to put in to achieve one goal. On top of that, you’re going to receive more “No’s” than “Yes” working in the film industry. An actor is bound to run into issues during moments of self-reflection so learning the power of humility and possessing the willingness to accept rejection without being overly critical of myself was another struggle to which I’ve had to endure.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I identify as an Actor but I like to say that I am an Artist painting various portraits in front of a camera for the world to see. So far, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to work on several film and television projects such as OnTen The Series (Produced by Mann Robinson), Snapped (Oxygen Network), Kingdom Business (starring Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin), Tom Swift (starring Tian Richards, Ashleigh Murray, Marquise Vilson), ATL Homicide (TV One Network), Fatal Attraction (TV One Network), Payback (TV One Network), and the soon to be released feature film “Creed 3” (starring Michael B Jordan, Jonathan Majors). I am most proud of the leap of faith I’ve taken to becoming an Actor/Artist after traveling on a completely different career path for nearly an entire decade. I’ve always enjoyed the Performing Arts but to actually dive into it despite my own reservations and how many people disagreed with my decision took a vast amount of courage. I stepped completely out of my comfort zone and I feel that this is where I will become the best version of myself. What sets me apart from others is the fact that I have a multitude of personal experiences I can pour into my artistry. An experience that most people probably wouldn’t wish to endure. I’ve seen things that most people would run from. I’ve faced issues that would’ve defeated most people. All in all, I am resilient enough to stand up after every time I am knocked down because I am driven by my purpose.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
If I had to pinpoint it down to a single memory, my overall favorite would have to be winning my first championship in little league baseball and being named to the all-star team that same year. On top of those accolades, I also was the recipient of the Most Improved Player award and the Donna T. Darrien award for scholar-athletes. I wasn’t the best baseball player starting out but with practice, patience, and resilience, I was able to make leaps and bounds in progress within a short amount of time. It was at this moment that I began to understand the importance of hard work and how it truly pays off.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/kingjudah
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingjudahofficial/
- Other: https://www.backstage.com/tal/kingjudah/
Image Credits:
Marquise Vilson Nyisha Bell Jean-Marc Mavinga/Mavinga Productions Jupiter Entertainment/TV One Network
