Mike Hodge Explained

Mike Hodge
Birth Name:Michael Hodge
Birth Date:February 24, 1947
Birth Place:McComas, West Virginia
Death Place:New York City, New York, U.S.
Education:West Virginia University (BA)
Occupation:Actorlabor union executive

Michael Hodge (February 24, 1947 – September 9, 2017) was an American actor and labor union executive known for his recurring roles on Law & Order and , where he often portrayed judges and detectives. Hodge was a longtime union activist and board member for the former Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and its successor, SAG-AFTRA, for more than sixteen years.

In 2001, Hodge was elected to the national board of directors of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). He was first elected President of SAG's New York City chapter in 2010 (SAG merged with AFTRA in 2012 to form the present union, SAG-AFTRA). Hodge was re-elected as the President of SAG-AFTRA New York local in August 2017, and served until his death a month later.[1] [2]

Early life and education

Hodge was born in McComas, West Virginia, on February 24, 1947. He received his Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia University, where he also minored in theater.

Career

Hodge worked for The Washington Post and then continued his theater studies at the DC Black Repertory Theater. He earned his memberships in the Actors' Equity Association, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) while working in Washington D.C. He then moved to New York City.

Once in New York, Hodge's theater credits included four Broadway productions, including Fences and A Few Good Men. He became known for his work on the New York City-based show, Law & Order, where he held a recurring role as Judge Delano Burns throughout the 1990s and 2000s. His other television roles included Ed, Fringe and . His work included Striking Distance (1993), To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)

In addition to acting, Hodge also narrated audiobooks, including works by Mitch Albom and Steve Harvey. He narration also included documentaries such as Aftershock: Beyond the Civil War (2006).

Union leadership

Hodge first became active in the actors' labor union movement following the joint SAG and AFTRA commercial actors' strike in 2000. In 2001, he was elected to SAG's national board of directors. He was later elected president of SAG's New York City chapter in 2010. Hodge then served on SAG's G1 committee, which created the agreement to merge SAG and AFTRA in 2012.

Hodge also served as a member of the New York State AFL–CIO Executive Council and the City Labor Council, as well as a trustee of the Industry Advancement Cooperative Fund.

In August 2017, just one month before his death, Hodge won re-election as the President of SAG-AFTRA New York local. He had also recently finished filming Humor Me, an upcoming film by director Sam Hoffman.

Mike Hodge died unexpectedly on September 9, 2017, at the age of 70. He was survived by his mother, Roberta Hodge Johnson, and three siblings: Joseph Hodge, Karen Hodge Thomas, and Vicki Hodge Lynch. Following his death, SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris paid tribute to Hodge, writing "Mike was an incredible advocate for SAG-AFTRA members since he first joined SAG’s New York board back in 2001. Through nearly 16 years of service, we came to know his wit, his generous nature and his insight. Mike had a deep love for the work we do as performers and enjoyed every character he brought to life on stage, television or film. We all relied on his kindness and his vibrant spirit to help guide us as we focused on the union and its members."

Filmography

Film

!Year!Title!Role!Notes
1986Forever, LuluPolice Commissioner
1987Magic SticksLieutenant
1988The ShamanBrad
1989Blue SteelPolice Commissioner
1990The Bonfire of the VanitiesMedia Jackal
1992Emma and ElvisFindley
1992Malcolm XFollower at Temple #7
1993Striking DistanceCaptain Penderman
1995Dr. Jekyll and Ms. HydeEagleton
1995To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie NewmarJimmy Joe
1996The Mirror Has Two FacesJustice of the Peace
1996RansomMan at Party
1997Addicted to LoveLinda's Doorman
1997Office KillerMr. Landau
1998FionaErnie
1998American CuisineJudge
1999The ConfessionSecurity Guard
2000Mambo CaféPawn Shop Clerk
2000Follow Me OutsideFugly
2000Our Lips Are SealedHenchman 2
2000Brooklyn SonnetDetective McCarthy
2002The Other BrotherMr. Simmons
2003Head of State2nd Fundraiser Issue Man
2003UndermindJules
2004Abuse of PowerFather Tom Morrow
2004The Kings of BrooklynJudge
2004Till Proven InnocentCaptain Sager
2005Fat CatsSgt. Blocker
2008College Road TripHarold
2008Cadillac RecordsBartender
2009AdamJudge
2017Humor MeAlan
2017Brawl in Cell Block 99Examiner
2018Madeline's MadelineGeorge's Stepdad
2019Low TideDon

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1984, 1985Saturday Night LiveJudge / Harry the Bank Loan Officer2 episodes
1989Perfect WitnessAgent with FalconTelevision film
1990Working It OutHaggertyEpisode: "First Date from Hell"
1991–1995LovingDetective Graham / Tompkins24 episodes
1991–2006Law & OrderVarious roles7 episodes
1992MathnetMr. SingletaryEpisode: "The Case of the Smart Dummy"
1992–1993GhostwriterLt. Isaiah McQuade6 episodes
1993–1994NYPD BlueESU Commander / EMS Commander2 episodes
1994The Adventures of Pete & Pete'Cowboy' EdEpisode: "The Call"
1994New York UndercoverEd ChaneyEpisode: "Blondes Have More Fun"
1996Due SouthLinus PrinceEpisode: "We Are the Eggmen"
1997CosbyAgt. WilsonEpisode: "Guess Whose President Is Coming to Dinner"
1998All My ChildrenJudgeEpisode #1.7446
1998Spin CityLloyd DrumEpisode: "Monkey Business"
1999–2010Various roles3 episodes
2000D.C.Minister2 episodes
2000Soul FoodWalter Carter #1Episode: "Claiming"
2000–2001EdJudge / Judge #27 episodes
2001BoycottDaddy KingTelevision film
2001Third WatchHenry CarsonEpisode: "After Time"
2002Assistant Warden MunozEpisode: "Seizure"
2004The JuryMr. EllsworthEpisode: "Three Boys and a Gun"
2005–2006As the World TurnsBurt5 episodes
2009White CollarJudgeEpisode: "Free Fall"
2011RingerRobert the DoormanEpisode: "Pilot"
2012NYC 22Jesse HimesEpisode: "Turf War"
2015Blue BloodsElliot NorthEpisode: "Hold Outs"
2016BlindspotJudgeEpisode: "Erase Weary Youth"

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Dave . McNary . Mike Hodge, 'Law & Order' Actor and SAG-AFTRA New York Local President, Dies at 70 . . 2017-09-10 . 2017-10-07.
  2. News: David . Robb . Mike Hodge Dies: President Of SAG-AFTRA's New York Local Was 70 . . 2017-09-10 . 2017-10-07.