Judge Judy (1996–2021) In 1995, Hawkins-Byrd read a news article in a
Liz 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 television court show project to be filmed in Los Angeles. Judge Judy'' remained the number 1
Nielsen-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, and won 3 Daytime Emmy Awards for
Outstanding 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 the
docket 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, each
Judge 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. 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 the
Los Angeles Times as "the
guard dog to the
pit bull." In another running gag, Sheindlin relied on his
sophistication and academic knowledge, with Hawkins-Byrd interceding in areas with which she struggled:
mathematics,
new media,
social media, current
fads, etc. 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 by
Amy Poehler. A trademarked
pet 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." 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." His duties and involvement were significantly reduced during the show's 25th and final season due to the
COVID-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.
Other entertainment media appearances Hawkins-Byrd was also on the long running
UPN show
The Parkers. He portrayed a motorcycle Police Officer. Hawkins-Byrd has participated in several movies and TV shows, including
Tom Hennessy,
Soul Lake (a 2015 independent horror film),
Under the Palm Tree,
American Skin,
Sheen Talk,
Inspirit, and ''Reesie's Pieces
. By the same token, his other projects include Curb Your Enthusiasm
(through the show visiting the Judge Judy
program), A Deeper Love
, Playing Mona Lisa
, In the Eyes of a Killer
, Saviour of None.
He also played a judge role in the independent film End of the Law'', which was shot in
Sacramento, California, and premiered at the
Crest Theatre on October 3, 2003. In December 2019, he returned to disclose improvements in relation to diabetes and his overall health. On August 5, 2021 Hawkins-Byrd performed in his first post-
Judge Judy role as a guest on
The Bold and the Beautiful. In the episode, Hawkins-Byrd plays a
marriage officiant at the wedding of Steffy (played by
Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Finn (played by
Tanner Novlan). Amid Byrd's much publicized exclusion from Sheindlin's spin-off series
Judy Justice (which includes several former
Judge 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. 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 former
Hot Bench judges Tanya Acker and
Patricia DiMango, along with Sheindlin's son, former
district attorney Adam Levy. Hawkins-Byrd has starred in several motion pictures, including
Fear Pharm 2 (2021) and ''Amy's F*** It List'' (2023). In 2024, Hawkins-Byrd appeared in an acting role as American basketball executive
Alvin Gentry in the
FX on Hulu television sports drama miniseries
Clipped. ==Fan protests over perceived snubs==