Does Judge Judy Have a SAG Screen Actors Guild Card?

Yes, Judge Judy, whose real name is Judith Sheindlin, has a SAG Screen Actors Guild card. As a former family court judge and a television personality, her presence on TV shows has required her to have such a card, even if she is not an actor in the traditional sense.

The Requirements for SAG Membership

Admitting that Judge Judy has a SAG card is a strong possibility based on the requirements for appearing on television. According to industry standards, anyone who appears on TV for a significant amount of time must be a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

Examples like the founder of Wendy's fast food restaurant, Dave Thomas, highlight this requirement. Though Thomas was not a trained actor, his numerous commercials required him to join SAG, the same guild that Judge Judy likely needed to do. This suggests that the requirement is not based on the individual being an actor but rather the amount of screen time they have.

Why Judge Judy Needs a SAG Card

Although Judge Judy is a renowned judge and does not act in the classical sense, the amount of time she spends in public appearances and courtroom shows necessitates her to hold a SAG card. This aligns with the rule that anyone on television for more than a brief cameo must belong to the guild.

Additionally, the information from SAG's membership process indicates that it was mandatory to make a personal payment in the form of cash or cashier's check. This is a reflection of the stringent vetting process SAG implements to ensure their members are legitimate television personalities. It's noteworthy that her show, which has been consistently rated 1st in daytime TV viewer ratings for a decade and a half, might have warranted a SAG card for her given her prolonged screen time.

A Potential Union for Judge Judy

It's also possible that Judge Judy belongs to a union like AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), especially considering the merger between SAG and AFTRA. AFTRA's awards, known as the AMEE Awards, could provide a more fitting category for her contributions to TV, although no substantial evidence of her nominations or awards is available publically.

While Judge Judy might not have been nominated for an AMEE or SAG award, her continuous high ratings and significant screen time suggest she should have the necessary SAG card to comply with the industry standards.

Conclusion

In summary, based on the common industry practices and the substantial screen time requirement, it is highly likely that Judge Judy holds a SAG Screen Actors Guild card. Her contributions to legal television shows and her consistent high ratings in the daytime TV category support this conclusion.