Petri Hawkins-Byrd | |
|---|---|
| Born | Petri Adonis Byrd (1957-11-29)November 29, 1957 (age 67) |
| Education | John Jay College of Criminal Justice (BS) Hostos Community College |
| Occupations |
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| Years active |
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| Known for | Judge Judy (1996–2021) Tribunal Justice (2023–present) |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[1] |
| Spouse | Makita Bond (m. 2019) |
Petri Hawkins-Byrd (bornPetri Adonis Byrd;[2] November 29, 1957),[3][4] also known asBailiff Byrd or simplyByrd, is an Americancourt showbailiff,television personality,social media personality, actor,voice actor, writer, and formerNew York State Court Officer.
Hawkins-Byrd is best known for hissidekick role as Bailiff Byrd for the entire series run – totaling 25 seasons – ofNielsen top-ratedcourtroom television programJudge Judy. From his stint onJudge Judy, he is television's longest court showbailiff in history.[5] Since October 2018, Hawkins-Byrd along with his wife, Makita Bond, have hosted their Facebook/YouTubetalk show-like series entitled "Bonding with Byrd", with a new installment released every Tuesday.[6]
It was announced in April 2022 that Hawkins-Byrd would return to the court show genre, resuming his televised bailiff duties in the then upcoming panel-based spin-off courtroom seriesTribunal Justice. The series is created byJudy Sheindlin and her personal production team and features a three-judge panel.[7]
Petri Adonis Byrd was born on November 29, 1957, in theCrown Heights neighborhood ofBrooklyn,New York. Taking to comedy and impressions from an early age, Hawkins-Byrd's father thought he was so entertaining and amusing as a child that he and his friends frequently called him up from prison just so they could hear him imitate celebrities. Growing up, he admired and imitated such celebrities asFlip Wilson,Dean Martin,Sammy Davis Jr.,Ed Sullivan,Bill Cosby and others. Meanwhile, his stay-at-home mother held their family together. Hawkins-Byrd has described his mother as a strict disciplinarian who was insistent about her children achieving their education and treating people with respect.[8] Of his childhood, Hawkins-Byrd has stated, "My escapes were going to school, reading, television and movies—anything that would take me out of the world I was in and put me in a world that could be."[8]
After graduating fromEastern District High School in Brooklyn, he attendedHostos Community College inThe Bronx.[2] Although drawn to the idea ofacting, he had also taken an interest inlaw while growing up.[8] His interest in law emanated from his awareness of activeJim Crow laws and thecivil rights movement during his youth, desiring torevolutionize racially discriminatory practices.[8] With that, he started work as acourt officer for the Brooklyn circuit of theNew York City court system in the early 1980s.[8] In 1986 he was transferred to thefamily court division inManhattan while also attendingJohn Jay College of Criminal Justice. It was in this capacity that he metJudge Judy Sheindlin, who was the Supervising Family Court Judge for Manhattan. From 1986 through 1989, he worked in the Manhattan family court system as a courtroom officer on a rotating basis for varying judges, Sheindlin among many others.[9] Recounting the times he was assigned to function as Sheindlin's bailiff in the Manhattan family court system, he commented, "I was never bored in her courtroom. Her get-to-the-point style didn't always sit well with the litigants, and there were times she was definitely glad to have me around."[9]
In 1989, Hawkins-Byrd obtained aBachelor of Science degree inCriminal Justice fromJohn Jay College of Criminal Justice.[10] That same year, his personal life changed radically: he and his wife, Felicia, separated and she moved with the couple's children to California. The couple tried to get their marriage back on track by participating in cross-countryrelationship counseling for five months.[8] A year later in 1990, he moved toSan Mateo, California, to reunite with his family and reconcile with his wife. There, he accepted a job as aSpecial Deputy U.S. Marshall.[2][9] In 1992, he made another career transition, becoming astudent counselor atMonta Vista High School inCupertino, California, remaining in this profession until 1996.[9] As a side job during this time, Hawkins-Byrd also delivered pizzas.[8]
In 1995, Hawkins-Byrd read a news article in aLiz Smith column about Sheindlin's new book,Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining, as well as her then upcoming televisioncourt show project to be filmed inLos Angeles.[9] He subsequently wrote Sheindlin a congratulatory letter, stating: "If you ever need a bailiff, my uniform still fits." After Sheindlin was feeling lack of chemistry between her and the test actor who performed as bailiff inher pilot episode, she phoned Hawkins-Byrd to offer him the role as bailiff in her courtroom series, which he accepted.[11][12]
Byrd added "Hawkins" to his name when he joined theJudge Judy program as a salute to his late mother; Hawkins was her maiden name.[8] In the program, Sheindlin referred to him simply as "Byrd," or less frequently "Officer Byrd."[12] Hawkins-Byrd ended up performing asJudge Judy program bailiff for its entire series run of 25 seasons (1996–2021), making him the longest-serving television court show bailiff in history.[5]Judge Judy remained the number 1Nielsen-rated court show for its entire series run. In addition, the court show scored highest in daytime and syndication ratings for much of its first run,[13][14] and won 3 Daytime Emmy Awards forOutstanding Legal/Courtroom Program.
In the series, Hawkins-Byrd took the role of Sheindlin's typically apathetic and lightly surly courtroom bailiff, as one who did not hesitate to assume a menacing presence with litigants when Sheindlin needed extra reinforcement. His main role in the series constituted introducing the cases (calling the parties forward,swearing the litigants, directing the courtroom audience when to rise and be seated, delivering thedocket number and handing Sheindlin the case files), delivering materials between the judge and the litigants, dismissing the parties, and escorting them out once the case was complete. Opening and closing out the proceedings, eachJudge Judy case began with Hawkins-Byrd making the statement of "Order! All Rise!" and ended with him stating, "Parties are excused. You may step out." (this was later changed in the final season to "This case has concluded, parties are excused").
Limited in his speaking role, Hawkins-Byrd typically only commented when addressed by Sheindlin, supplying her with always curtly expressed nonchalance and lighthearted comments.[15][8] He typically answered Sheindlin with simple, unadornednonverbal expressions orexclamations.[15] On numerous occasions over the course of the show's 25-year run, Byrd played a key role in the proceedings: he was frequently sought by Sheindlin to look up vehicle estimates from theKelley Blue Book so that she could award the accurate judgment amount. He also contacted litigants' parole officers and performeddrug tests.[12] Hawkins-Byrd's menacingly stern interjections for brasher litigants typically allowed Sheindlin reinforcement—her extra measure of coercion for litigants whose behavior she had trouble controlling on her own.[16] He was also tasked with controlling emotions that ran high among the parties and preventing potential altercations between the show's guests, typically by standing in-between them and the litigant podiums during the proceedings. Sheindlin frequently directed Hawkins-Byrd to expel litigants from the courtroom who acted in ways that she found inappropriate. He had been described by theLos Angeles Times as "theguard dog to thepit bull."[17]
The court show was full ofrunning gags involving Hawkins-Byrd. One of them involved his preoccupation with doingcrossword puzzles during the proceedings.[12] On occasion, he nonchalantly disagreed with Sheindlin when she bounced a question off of him for his agreement, often in relation to dressing down the parties.[18] In another running gag, Sheindlin relied on hissophistication and academic knowledge, with Hawkins-Byrd interceding in areas with which she struggled:mathematics,new media,social media, currentfads, etc.[12] He also routinely delivered evidence to Sheindlin while having his head and eye contact directed away from her off to his sides, a trait observed publicly byAmy Poehler.[19] A trademarkedpet peeve of Hawkins-Byrd's was frequently having to block litigants from attempting to deliver evidence to Sheindlin themselves directly when they were unaware of the show's practice of handing evidence over to the bailiff. On the rare occasion, Sheindlin requested litigants to approach the bench, for example, to present evidence of bodily injuries or document clarifications.
Sheindlin often comically incorporated Hawkins-Byrd in the midst of her critiques and reprimands of the litigants, by sharing with the audience Officer Hawkins-Byrd's disapproving thoughts of the litigants without any communication of this from Hawkins-Byrd himself.
Of their on-screen relationship, Sheindlin had quipped, "We're like two old married people who have reached an accord. I can rely on him to be my protector. We don't have to exchange words—he knows what I'm thinking. People who watch us sense we have a history, and that is very important."[17] Hawkins-Byrd described Sheindlin as "Blunt, witty, and sharp as a tack." Though when asked if he'd like to appear as a litigant on the program, he answered candidly (laughing), "Hell no. And I don't advise any of my friends to do so. Not if they want to maintain their love of the judicial system."[20]
His duties and involvement were significantly reduced during the show's 25th and final season due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. While he still introduced and closed out the cases, he no longer delivered evidence back and forth between Sheindlin and the parties and rarely communicated back and forth with Sheindlin. This was due to Sheindlin adjudicating the proceedings remotely from New York, while Hawkins-Byrd and the litigants still reported to the Los Angeles studio set.[21]
Hawkins-Byrd was also on the long runningUPN showThe Parkers. He portrayed a motorcycle Police Officer.[citation needed]
Hawkins-Byrd has participated in several movies and TV shows, includingTom Hennessy,Soul Lake (a 2015 independent horror film),Under the Palm Tree,American Skin,Sheen Talk,Inspirit, andReesie's Pieces. By the same token, his other projects includeCurb Your Enthusiasm (through the show visiting theJudge Judy program),A Deeper Love,Playing Mona Lisa,In the Eyes of a Killer,Saviour of None.[citation needed] He also played a judge role in the independent filmEnd of the Law, which was shot inSacramento, California, and premiered at theCrest Theatre on October 3, 2003.[8]
In August 2018, Hawkins-Byrd appeared in an episode of medical advice talk showThe Doctors, as a guest in the program to address concerns with his health as it relates to a spike in hisglycated hemoglobin levels.[22] In December 2019, he returned to disclose improvements in relation to diabetes and his overall health.[23]
On August 5, 2021 Hawkins-Byrd performed in his first post-Judge Judy role as a guest onThe Bold and the Beautiful. In the episode, Hawkins-Byrd plays amarriage officiant at the wedding of Steffy (played byJacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Finn (played byTanner Novlan).[24]
Amid Byrd's much publicized exclusion from Sheindlin's spin-off seriesJudy Justice (which includes several formerJudge Judy crew members) and the strong fan response received, he was reportedly approached by producers to present a program of his own that would see him as the mediator in some form. Hawkins-Byrd communicated an interest in the idea of acting as a television mediator.[25][26]
Hawkins-Byrd landed a guestvoice acting role in theDisney+ seriesThe Proud Family: Louder and Prouder which premiered in 2022.[27]
On April 28, 2022, it was announced that Hawkins-Byrd would hold the role of bailiff for a new court show produced by Sheindlin's team. The show,Tribunal Justice, premiered in 2023 and is presided over by formerHot Bench judges Tanya Acker andPatricia DiMango, along with Sheindlin's son, formerdistrict attorney Adam Levy.[28]
Hawkins-Byrd has starred in several motion pictures, includingFear Pharm 2 (2021)[29] andAmy's F*** It List (2023).[30]
In 2024, Hawkins-Byrd appeared in an acting role as American basketball executiveAlvin Gentry in theFX on Hulu television sports drama miniseriesClipped.[31]
A streaming court spin-off ofJudge Judy, entitledJudy Justice (also hosted by Judy Sheindlin), premiered onIMDb TV fromAmazon Studios on November 1, 2021. In December 2020, during 25th season production ofJudge Judy, Hawkins-Byrd noted publicly that he would be "honored" if invited back for the spin-off series in an interview with theAssociated Press.[32] However, Hawkins-Byrd was absent in the firsttrailer for the court show, released in September 2021, and a different bailiff was presented. Sheindlin additionally remarked that she was solo as far as a cast for the past 25 years and advertisedJudy Justice as conversely having a cast. This was met with widespread outrage and criticism fromJudge Judy fans.[33][34][35]
Addressing fan complaints over his absence in an October 8, 2021, interview withEntertainment Weekly, Hawkins-Byrd stated that he was not asked to participate inJudy Justice. He added that he was not offered an audition nor communicated with at all in regards to the spin-off since Sheindlin first disclosed news of the court show in a March 2020Ellen DeGeneres Show appearance—news that came as a surprise to him. It was not until July 2021 after theJudge Judy program ended and production ofJudy Justice began was there a discussion, resulting from Hawkins-Byrd himself phoning Sheindlin at the behest of his wife Makita (formerJudge Judy producer who was requested to return for the spin-off series but could not due to suffering from acancerous brain tumor). According to Hawkins-Byrd, when he asked Sheindlin if he would have a role in the streaming series, Sheindlin explained that he was not invited to take part in the program because his salary would have been too high. He described feeling perplexed by Sheindlin's statements, stating he never had the opportunity to discuss salary or lower salaries with anyone. He has described feeling "confused and dismayed" by Sheindlin's treatment. He added, however, that he was humbled by the show of support from fans.[21][36][37] In her own statements to the press, Sheindlin remarked, "Byrd is terrific, and we had a great 25 year run. This is a whole new program with a whole new cast and an exciting energy."[38]
In following appearances onThe Real,Entertainment Tonight Canada andThe Black News Channel, Hawkins-Byrd quipped that Sheindlin's treatment of him was akin toBatman abandoningRobin. When questioned on the nature of his relationship with Sheindlin, he answered that he and Sheindlin never treated each other like friends throughout the court show's entire 25 season run, nor while working within the family court system prior to that. Rather, he described himself as only having a professional relationship with Sheindlin limited to behaving cordially around each other; using the analogy of what a relationship might be between a low-ranking mail clerk employed forBill Gates at one of his companies. Elaborating, he pointed out that Sheindlin never once invited him to a lunch or celebratory get-together in all of the show's 25 seasons.[39][26]
Hawkins-Byrd has stated that he welcomes a phone call from Sheindlin if she takes exception to any of his media appearances or opposes any of his public claims.[40] He has added ultimately that he holds no grudges, is grateful to Sheindlin and wished her all the best withJudy Justice.[25][41][27]
On April 28, 2022, it was announced that Hawkins-Byrd would be serving as bailiff for another court show produced and created by Sheindlin's team, also to be streamed onAmazon Freevee, entitledTribunal Justice. The show is presided over by now formerHot Bench judges, Tanya Acker andPatricia DiMango, along with Sheindlin's son, formerdistrict attorney Adam Levy, with Byrd as the bailiff.[28]
In early November 2021, Hawkins-Byrd additionally shared that he felt snubbed when he was not allowed to present Sheindlin'sLifetime Achievement Award to her at theDaytime Emmy ceremony. He added that he was seated 15 to 20 rows back while Sheindlin sat withJudge Judy Executive Producer Randy Douthit in the front rows. Questioned about the matter, Sheindlin shared that it wasAmy Poehler who called up theTelevision Academy and requested to present her with the award because she was a big fan. According to Hawkins-Byrd, however, Poehler later shared with him that she was equally perplexed over his exclusion from the ceremony.[19]
Hawkins-Byrd works part time as an eventMC, guest speaker, charity supporter, andcommunity activist.[2] He is a popular master of ceremonies and inspirational speaker and spends a lot of time motivating and building the lives of troubled youth.[8] He is the national chairman of the O.K. Program, which addresses social issues confronting black youth and young black men. He is also on the board of the faith-based youth program Teen Center USA.[2]
Hawkins-Byrd also operates a nonprofit mentoring program, entitled "Teach Them to Fish", focusing on physical, mental, social and spiritual growth.[8] He indulges his creative side by writing poetry and screenplays, and has been known to read his poetry at bars and restaurants near his home.[8]
Since October 2018, Hawkins-Byrd and his current wife, Makita Bond, have co-hosted aweb series with a title that plays off their last names, "Bonding with Byrd". The couple posts new episodes on Tuesdays from Byrd's "Petri Hawkins-Byrd"Facebook page, and their joint "Bonding with Byrd" YouTube channel.[6][42]Judge Lynn Toler, former court showarbitrator and longest reigning arbitrator of the courtroom seriesDivorce Court (formerly taped from the same studios asJudge Judy and thus a longtime friend of Byrd's), made an appearance onBonding with Byrd on October 19, 2021. In the interview, Toler provided details on her various dissatisfactions leading to herresignation fromDivorce Court and her current hosting role onMarriage Boot Camp.[43]
In addition, Hawkins-Byrd and his wife founded a jointly owned production company that they named "Bonding with Byrd". He has shared that their production company is geared towards launching broadcast entertainment projects forstreaming as well as developing and presentingstage plays.[26]
In 2000, Hawkins-Byrd and his family moved from theSan Francisco Bay Area toElk Grove, California. The move was said to have resulted from Hawkins-Byrd and his family taking a liking to Elk Grove's affordable housing community and family-oriented atmosphere. Asked if he'd ever move toLos Angeles, California, where he reported to the set ofJudge Judy for 25 years, he answered with an emphatic "No." He said he greatly disliked all the extravagance and glitz ofHollywood and preferred a simple, reflective life. He is a churchgoingChristian.[8]
In 1980, Hawkins-Byrd married Felicia Hawkins, the mother of his children. The two later separated in 1989, and Felicia moved to the West Coast with the couple's children. After marriage counselling Hawkins-Byrd and Hawkins reconciled, though not permanently.[44] Altogether, he has four children, all adults and all from his first marriage to Felicia Hawkins.[8]
Hawkins-Byrd married former fellowJudge Judy crew member Makita Bond Byrd on May 4, 2019. Prior to Bond becoming a producer for the court show, the two first met on theSunset Bronson Studios lot (where theJudge Judy program was filmed for its entire run) back in 2012. After going on a date to acomedy show at around that time, the two lost contact.[45][44] In 2015, the two briefly reconnected through Hawkins-Byrd greeting Makita in text message, her replying but no further communications at that time.
In 2016, Bond landed a producer role onJudge Judy. She set up a surprise appearance as new producer on the set of the court show for Hawkins-Byrd, thinking he would remember who she was because of a Facebook request he sent her once she landed the position. He later admitted, however, only pretending to remember her when they reunited, privately questioning a fellowJudge Judy crew member who she was. If not for a photo that Bond still had of the two of them on the Sunset Bronson Studio lot back in 2012, he has stated he would not have remembered who she was.[45][44] The two married in 2019.
For much of the 25th and final season ofJudge Judy, Hawkins-Byrd's personal life revolved around attending to Bond as she had suffered acancerous brain tumor in the midst of theCOVID-19 pandemic. During that season, she was heavily involved inchemotherapy. By April 2021 after Bond'ssurgery, 95 percent of the tumor was successfully removed. As reported onBonding with Byrd in late October 2021, she is continuing with chemotherapy.[46]