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 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, 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.

Mike Hodge
Born
Michael Hodge

February 24, 1947
DiedSeptember 9, 2017(2017-09-09) (aged 70)
EducationWest Virginia University (BA)
Occupation(s)Actor · labor union executive

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

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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.[2]

Career

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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.[2] He then moved to New York City.[2]

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 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.[1] 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

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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.[2]

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."[2]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1986 Forever, Lulu Police Commissioner
1987 Magic Sticks Lieutenant
1988 The Shaman Brad
1989 Blue Steel Police Commissioner
1990 The Bonfire of the Vanities Media Jackal
1992 Emma and Elvis Findley
1992 Malcolm X Follower at Temple #7
1993 Striking Distance Captain Penderman
1995 Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde Eagleton
1995 To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar Jimmy Joe
1996 The Mirror Has Two Faces Justice of the Peace
1996 Ransom Man at Party
1997 Addicted to Love Linda's Doorman
1997 Office Killer Mr. Landau
1998 Fiona Ernie
1998 American Cuisine Judge
1999 The Confession Security Guard
2000 Mambo Café Pawn Shop Clerk
2000 Follow Me Outside Fugly
2000 Our Lips Are Sealed Henchman 2
2000 Brooklyn Sonnet Detective McCarthy
2002 The Other Brother Mr. Simmons
2003 Head of State 2nd Fundraiser Issue Man
2003 Undermind Jules
2004 Abuse of Power Father Tom Morrow
2004 The Kings of Brooklyn Judge
2004 Till Proven Innocent Captain Sager
2005 Fat Cats Sgt. Blocker
2008 College Road Trip Harold
2008 Cadillac Records Bartender
2009 Adam Judge
2017 Humor Me Alan
2017 Brawl in Cell Block 99 Examiner
2018 Madeline's Madeline George's Stepdad
2019 Low Tide Don

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1984, 1985 Saturday Night Live Judge / Harry the Bank Loan Officer 2 episodes
1989 Perfect Witness Agent with Falcon Television film
1990 Working It Out Haggerty Episode: "First Date from Hell"
1991–1995 Loving Detective Graham / Tompkins 24 episodes
1991–2006 Law & Order Various roles 7 episodes
1992 Mathnet Mr. Singletary Episode: "The Case of the Smart Dummy"
1992–1993 Ghostwriter Lt. Isaiah McQuade 6 episodes
1993–1994 NYPD Blue ESU Commander / EMS Commander 2 episodes
1994 The Adventures of Pete & Pete 'Cowboy' Ed Episode: "The Call"
1994 New York Undercover Ed Chaney Episode: "Blondes Have More Fun"
1996 Due South Linus Prince Episode: "We Are the Eggmen"
1997 Cosby Agt. Wilson Episode: "Guess Whose President Is Coming to Dinner"
1998 All My Children Judge Episode #1.7446
1998 Spin City Lloyd Drum Episode: "Monkey Business"
1999–2010 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Various roles 3 episodes
2000 D.C. Minister 2 episodes
2000 Soul Food Walter Carter #1 Episode: "Claiming"
2000–2001 Ed Judge / Judge #2 7 episodes
2001 Boycott Daddy King Television film
2001 Third Watch Henry Carson Episode: "After Time"
2002 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Assistant Warden Munoz Episode: "Seizure"
2004 The Jury Mr. Ellsworth Episode: "Three Boys and a Gun"
2005–2006 As the World Turns Burt 5 episodes
2009 White Collar Judge Episode: "Free Fall"
2011 Ringer Robert the Doorman Episode: "Pilot"
2012 NYC 22 Jesse Himes Episode: "Turf War"
2015 Blue Bloods Elliot North Episode: "Hold Outs"
2016 Blindspot Judge Episode: "Erase Weary Youth"

References

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  1. ^ a b McNary, Dave (2017-09-10). "Mike Hodge, 'Law & Order' Actor and SAG-AFTRA New York Local President, Dies at 70". Variety. Retrieved 2017-10-07.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Robb, David (2017-09-10). "Mike Hodge Dies: President Of SAG-AFTRA's New York Local Was 70". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2017-10-07.
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