Judy Gold — who goes by @jewdygold on Twitter — is one of those comedic actors you’ve seen a million times, in everything, but can’t always name when she pops up somewhere.
And pop up she does: This year Judy has appeared or will appear on Two Broke Girls, Inside Amy Schumer, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Louie, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Difficult People and Search Party.
In addition, she’s written and starred in two critically acclaimed off-Broadway shows; had stand-up specials on HBO, Comedy Central and LOGO; and appears often on The Steve Harvey Show and as a commentator on CNN an MSNBC.
She also hosts a no-holds-barred podcast called Kill Me Now, on which she features a wide range of fascinating Jewish guests.
The indefatigable Gold, who brings her standup to the Rrazz Room at the Prince Theater in Center City on Jan. 14, is on tour right now, so she answered our questions via email, talking frankly about the Philly accent, parenthood and what it’s like to be a 6-foot-2-inch tall Jewish lesbian.
So let’s start at the beginning. You’re from New Jersey. I’ve read you’re from Newark and I’ve read you’re from Clark. Can you clarify your Garden State bona fides?
“I was born at a hospital in Newark, although we lived in Elizabeth. We moved to Clark when I was 5 years old. I went to Rutgers College in New Brunswick and moved to NYC when I graduated. I live two blocks from where my mother grew up.”
Did you grow up in an observant Jewish home?
“Yes. My mother was very religious. She was born in 1922 and when she was a child, girls did not attend Hebrew school. My mother voluntarily sat in the boys’ Hebrew school class every day after school. Yes, I said voluntarily!
“We had a kosher home, and my mother would scream bloody murder when we used the wrong utensils for meat or dairy.”
You’re a very tall woman. I’m a very short woman, and I don’t know many tall Jews; my family is comprised entirely of midgets. So I feel I must ask: What was it like growing up as a tall Jew?
“I’ve never been asked that before. My entire family was tall. Let’s just say we had unobstructed views of the bima.”
You’ve said you were never really in the closet — you were just quiet about being gay. Did you get any opposition from the Jewish community regarding coming out? (I feel like there’d be more opposition [jealousy] about being tall, but I could be wrong.)
“Wow! You really are short!! I have had absolutely no opposition from the Jewish community regarding my sexuality. My off-Broadway show 25 Questions For a Jewish Mother, addresses that issue. Many people would bring their parents to the show as a coming-out prep to let them know that you can be a member of the LGBTQ community and practicing Jew.”
I love the story you told about your son boldly and clearly confronting another kid who called him “faggot.” Do you like the men your boys are turning out to be?
“I do! They impress me a lot except when they are at home playing video games and making a complete mess. I like who they are out in the world. I like their values. And I love when other parents and friends bump into them and tell me how polite and friendly they are.”
You and your former partner seem to be great post-breakup co-parents. What’s the secret to that success?
“It’s all about the kids. That’s all. It’s simple. Our disagreements will never trump (uch, I hate that word now) the well-being of our children. They will always come first.”
Have you ever been to Philadelphia? Do you have any impressions of it?
“I love Philly! I love the history and I love the people. There is an abundance of performing arts venues, museums, and theaters … and those beautiful cobblestone streets get me every time. But the accent? That’s something I’ll never get used to!”
You’re so incredibly busy but you still make time for standup. What need does that fulfill?
“Stand-up is what really keeps me sane. I love the art form. I’ve been doing stand-up more than half of my life. When I am hanging at a comedy club, it feels like home. There is nothing in life that compares to getting a laugh onstage.”
To see Judy Gold get those laughs onstage on Jan. 14 at 8 p.m., go to princetheater.org or call 267-239-2941 for ticket info.
Contact: lspikol@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0747
