Believe it or not, Judd Hirsch almost passed on the iconic role that made him a household name in the late '70s and early '80s. The legendary actor, now 83, sat down exclusively with Closer Weekly to share some never-before-heard details about his life and career. You know, when Judd first read the script for Taxi, he wasn’t exactly sold on the idea of television. “I didn’t think TV was my scene,” he admitted. But fate had other plans. While performing on Broadway in Neil Simon's Chapter Two, an unexpected laugh track changed everything.
“That play was supposed to be serious. Neil had just lost his wife, so the tone was supposed to be heavy,” Judd recalled. “On opening night, there was this guy in the front row, just losing it with laughter. I thought he hated me and was trying to ruin the moment!” As it turns out, that guy wasn’t laughing at Judd—he was laughing with him. It was Taxi co-creator James L. Brooks, who loved the performance so much he offered Judd the role of Alex Reiger right after the show.
Fast forward a few years, and Judd's decision to take the role paid off big time. Taxi became a cultural phenomenon, earning him two Emmys and launching him into the stratosphere of Hollywood stardom. From there, he went on to star in Oscar-nominated films like Ordinary People, win a Tony for his role in I’m Not Rappaport, and even land a guest spot on Law & Order: SVU. And despite being twice-divorced, Judd still lights up when talking about his kids and the role laughter plays in his life. “I don’t think of myself as an octogenarian,” he quipped. “I’m all about the future!”
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What's Next for Judd on SVU?
Judd recently wrapped up a memorable arc on Law & Order: SVU, and he gave us a sneak peek into what viewers can expect. “I spent a lot of time in a hospital bed, and, spoiler alert, I die at the end,” he joked. “But hey, isn’t that the best way to go out? With a bang!”
Is Comedy in Judd's DNA?
When asked if he naturally gravitates toward comedy, Judd’s response was as quick as it was witty. “Yeah, I like seeing the world through a funny lens. Even when I played Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, I found humor in it. Life’s too short not to laugh, you know?”
Taxi: A Look Back
For Judd, the memories of Taxi remain as vivid as ever. “The laughter was real, no canned jokes. Our writers were geniuses, and each episode was unexpected and fresh. That show became a classic for a reason.”
