Being an entertainer, a storyteller, coupled with the difficult childhood I endured, somehow provided me with the courage to do what I love.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
As difficult as it is to admit, I came from nothing.. My parents were very poor, and divorced when I was 7 years old. I found myself abandoned soon after that. It is a solid miracle that I am here today. This could be why I feel it's important to remain grateful and humble no matter what.
Despite my meager beginnings, I found myself in fortuitous situations once or twice, and lacking any sort of family bond that may have held me back, seized them.
I realize that sounds awful to everyone out there who grew up with a loving family.. but I simply plead with them to understand.. I never had that. Perhaps that lack of close family ties, is what created this "live in the moment" person, you see before you today.
It wasn't all pastries and cream, though. Quite the opposite. That lack of family didn't provide me with any sort of guidance, or wisdom, and I made dozens of embarrassing mistakes, BUT, and here is the important part.. I learned from each and every mistake I made, and did my best not to repeat them.
Short answer? My journey seems to have been a product of 2 consistent things.. My ceaseless drive to succeed, and a visceral need to learn something new every day.
2. What inspired you to become a voice over artist?
As a child, I was utterly fascinated by the characters that people like Mel Blanc, and June Foray created for Academy Award winning Animation Director Chuck Jones, of Warner Brothers.
I used to emulate them as a kid. I was fortunate enough to have found Competitive Speech and Drama in high school, and through that I was chosen to work on a local radio/television station.
While there, I found I had a natural inclination to working with a microphone and and began using the International accents, and voices, that I had been exposed to through my travels, turning them into characters.
I then began working as a Musician/Singer/DJ, honing my vocal skills.
Eventually I found myself working as an Entertainment Coordinator and DJ, in popular Clubs and Venues, throughout Southern California.
Including military clubs.. This is where I was first exposed to audiences who were genuinely grateful to be entertained. Men and women going through basic training were nothing like the 13 year old having a bar mitzvah, or the father of the bride paying for the DJ at a wedding reception.
Kids going through basic training, separated from their families for the first time in their lives, loved my enthusiasm for the music, the poetry within that music, and seemed to recognize my strong desire to please them with what I was spinning. I took that knowledge and never let it go.
Each time I find myself in a situation where I know an audience will be exposed to what I am, I reflect on the people I met early in my Artistic career, who are eagerly anticipating what I am about to bring to them. I feel highly inspired by them.
Met more Creative people at my gigs, got cast in some podcasts, and through those experiences began meeting talented, driven Directors who were hiring Voice Actors. Some of them took me under their wing, and taught me how to be professional.
3. Do you often have to keep upskilling yourself?
Oh yes. Unquestionably.
I am fortunate in that I've always had a very strong drive to learn new things. I have a fear, that if I stopped learning, I might die.
Found some quality Voice Acting Coaches who help me find challenging roles. Among other things, the challenges brought by difficult new roles inspire me to up-skill.
4. Did you ever think or dream of being an actor?
I did, but found that I was just one of many young, white guys, in Hollywood vying to be an Actor. The market was positively saturated with my type. It wasn't until I was older that there was a sudden interest in my look, for acting in front of the camera. It took me rather by surprise.
5. How can one approach their career and have the confidence and belief to become an actor?
First, and foremost.. a good support system. Whether that's a family that believes in one's talent, or an Acting Troupe that brings one into the fold.. It could be a supportive Agent, or a supportive Manager.
It boils down to this, I love entertaining. Always have. The feeling of those Stage lights hitting me in the kisser, those pre-performance jitters. I love to make people laugh and, I positively adore making viewers think.
While working in the corporate world I found very few opportunities to work on those interests of mine.
Knowing the importance of self-care, I never forgot to feed my Creative side. Keeping my dreams and wishes alive by going to a lot of Theatre, Art openings, Opera, Ballet, Underground shows, Movies, Independent Films, Live Concerts.
I found myself enjoying the performances as a member of the audience, while simply lusting over the idea of being the person on stage, rather than the person sitting in the audience.
Perhaps my love of being an entertainer, a storyteller, coupled with the difficult childhood I endured, somehow provided me with the courage to do what I love.
6. What is your mantra of success?
I have one mantra.. and it's very, very personal.
I believe firmly that giving back is vital. I have been involved in International philanthropy since I was in the 6th grade. Volunteer work, and such, sure kept me grounded.
Any success I have achieved, and everything that ever came my way, was an extremely difficult struggle to obtain. People with power dismissed me, because I wasn't wealthy, didn't have a fancy car, or the most stylish clothes.
My own peers would often block my path to success, by lacking the vision to see where my love of entertaining might lead, but I am still here.. following my bliss. When I'm doing something I love, I can't wait to wake up in the morning and get to it. Is that a good answer?
7. Which is your favourite book and why?
Someone I was deeply in love with, took me to a book signing with Author Marilyn Williamson. Ms. Williamson signed a copy of her book 'A Return To Love', for me. I brought it home, put it on my private bookshelf, with my other cherished books, and forgot about it.
One afternoon, while deep in despair over a love that was never to be.. I opened it and began reading. One paragraph sticks with me to this day. In the book, she writes;
"It takes courage...to endure the sharp pains of self discovery rather than choose to take the dull pain of unconsciousness that would last the rest of our lives."
I don't know if it's my favourite book, but judging by the well worn corners, it is safe to say I turned to it frequently.
Judd Angel, a Renaissance Man, was a contestant on the gameshow 'Quiz Kids Challenge' & his team took the win.. competitive from the start. As an Exchange Student he learned early the thrill of travel and to admire cultural diversity.
Utilizing a unifying language of vision within the Artistic world Judd continues to bring his insight to many successful projects across a variety of mediums. His lifetime love affair, with not just words, but how to say them perfectly, as a Voice Artist, places his current Books on Tape total to 9.
All currently available through the National Library of Congress in Washington, DC, recorded at the studios inside the Braille Institute of Los Angeles. He has also brought several characters to life, within the Podcast Universe, & Commercial Production.
Judd Angel's strength as an Art Consultant is known across several Continents, for his affinity to Sculpture, as well as Paintings from Artists such as Alma Woodsey Thomas and Kehinde Wiley. His fine and discerning eye as a connoisseur with deep understanding of Artistry and quality, when selecting Artworks for clients personal collections, has gained him the respect of many other Artists and Collectors.
Art has been the framework for his entire world. There are few aspects of Film Production that Judd is not fascinated by, & has tried his hand at. Established, or Independent may utilize his experienced skill level, and expect timely delivery of brilliant, high-end finished product in Film, Video Game Projects, Music Production or Character Development. .
Award winner
Quoted in Wall Street Journal
NAMM Attendee
- Interviewed By Anamika Ajith
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