General Fermon Judd Jr. was the first African American to join the cast of the Blue Man Group, a wildly popular theatrical team; in fact, he remains the only person of color in the troupe since he became a tour member in 1998. Judd attributes his motivation to his heroes: Sidney Poitier, James Cameron and Robert Duvall. He especially thanks his family for loving and supporting him. –tammie reed
You are the first African American to be hired in the Blue Man Group. Tell us how you landed the job.
I was living in Wilmington, North Carolina at the time and I went to visit a friend in Baltimore who had gone to see the Blue Man Group in New York and explained to me how amazing the show had been. She suggested that I send them my head shot and resume and I did. Almost a year later, I had moved to New York and saw that the show was holding auditions. I went to the casting call and the directors recognized me from my head shot and I got a call back that evening.
Where did your passion to be an actor come from and what other projects have you worked on?
As a small child, family members and strangers would comment on how I looked like Sidney Poitier. So, as a youth who played music and sports I watched his movies whenever they were on. I liked what he did, so I decided that I wanted to be an actor also. Although I was really shy, in high school, I got up the nerve to audition for the play West Side Story because I had watched the movie. This was all during baseball season and I landed the role of Bernardo. My coach was really upset that I chose the play instead of baseball.
I started my film career as a set dresser in the art department. My first film was The Abyss with James Cameron. It was an amazing learning tool. Afterwards, I worked on films such as Teenage Mutant Turtles, Betsy’s Wedding and many other TV productions. My first acting role was with Robert Duvall in Rambling Rose. Also, I shot a movie with Haley Joel Osment named Home of the Giants.
In the Blue Man Group, what’s your favorite part of the show?
The connection between the Blue Men and the audience is really powerful for me. Looking into the eyes of complete strangers who are as curious about you as you are about them is really powerful. I also really like playing the music and banging those drums!
For readers who want to break into acting, what are your suggestions?
First, always be yourself. Do any and all theatre; even make your own. Get head shots; agents need to see you. Always be nice to everyone, no matter what their job is (one day that PA could be your director).
While being on tour for a full year and being married with kids, how does this affect your family? How do you deal with being away from them for long periods of time?
It’s really hard, but with technology today, we chat and Skype to stay connected. My family comes to visit whenever they can but they’re as busy as I am. But we do miss being together.
What do you find most rewarding while doing the show?
Being surrounded by super-talented people onstage, above the stage and backstage … and I feel really fortunate to be in such a cool show.
For more information, visit www.blueman.com.
