Cristan “Cris” Leenon Judd is a talented American actor and choreographer known for his appearances in popular television series and films. He has worked as a choreographer for Steve Martin’s dance scenes in the film ‘Bringing Down the House’ and has also choreographed music videos for renowned artists like Usher and Julio Iglesias. Judd’s dance skills have even caught the attention of celebrities like Nicole Kidman, whom he coached for specific dance sequences in films. Starting his career as a dancer with Disney, Judd quickly gained national and international recognition for his smooth moves. He later ventured into choreography and acting, making a name for himself in both fields. Additionally, Judd’s personal life has made headlines due to his short-lived marriage to singing superstar Jennifer Lopez.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Cristan Lee Judd
- Age: 54 Years, 54 Year Old Males
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Jennifer Lopez (m. 2001; div. 2003) Kelly A. Wolfe
- Father: Larry Judd
- Children: Vivienne Judd
- Occupation: Actors
- Nationality: American
- Height: 5’10” (178 cm), 5’10” Males
- Ancestry: Filipino American
- U.S. State: Texas
Childhood & Early Life
Cris Judd was born on 15 August 1969, in Abilene, Texas, USA. He is the son of a military man and his wife. Judd is of mixed descent, with his father being Portuguese and his mother Filipina. During his early years, he lived on Air Force bases in Angeles City in the Philippines and Hawaii. The family later moved to Florida, where he attended Niceville High School. As a teenager, Judd had a keen interest in sports and spent a lot of time surfing and golfing. He even considered becoming a pro golfer before ultimately deciding against it. After high school, he enrolled at Okaloosa-Walton Community College in Niceville, Florida.
Career
While still in college, Judd took up a job with Disney World. It was during this time that he discovered his natural talent for dance and decided to pursue a career as a professional dancer. He quit his previous job and started dancing professionally with Disney. Judd quickly gained fame and became popular on a national level. He received a big break when he got the opportunity to dance with Michael Jackson for the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards. Impressed by his performance, Jackson selected Judd to perform with him again on his HIStory Tour. This brought Judd into the international spotlight and propelled his career forward.
Judd furthered his career by venturing into choreography and collaborated with renowned choreographer Eddie Garcia to choreograph the 2000 Tour for Jordan Knight. He went on to choreograph music videos for artists like Usher, Julio Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez, and Angie Martinez. Judd also began directing videos and, along with Garcia, produced an interactive dance DVD released in 2005. In addition to his work in dance and choreography, Judd started making appearances on television and in films. He participated in the first season of the American series “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” and won the competition. Judd has also appeared in episodes of popular television series and choreographed dance performances in reality TV shows.
Awards & Achievements
Cris Judd has won the 17th Annual Reflections Award for “Excellence in Entertainment” for his work in acting, dance, and choreography. He has also been recognized for his good looks, earning a place in People Magazine’s “25 Hottest Bachelors” and InTouch Magazine’s “20 Hottest Hunks.”
Marriages & Love Life
In 2000, Judd was hired to direct singer Jennifer Lopez’s music video for “Love Don’t Cost a Thing.” The two quickly fell in love and got married on September 29, 2001. However, their marriage was short-lived, and they soon separated. Judd’s divorce from Lopez was finalized in 2003. He later married Kelly A. Wolfe in 2009, and the couple now has a young daughter.