Michael Judge

Michael Judge, an actor, playwright, screenwriter, folklorist and Congressional historian and guide, died May 20th. The cause was complications from cancer, which he courageously battled for several years. He was 62 years old.

Michael was a native of the District and later grew up in Potomac, Maryland with his family. He attended Georgetown Preparatory School and Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. After his school days were over, he embarked on a career in acting, much of it in the growing D.C. theatre scene of the 1980s. Part of a close group of actors, artists and writers who worked and socialized together, Michael and his friends appeared, both as extras and sometimes in small parts, in films that were shot in Washington.

The highlight of his theatre work in Washington was winning the Helen Hayes Award for Best Actor in 1988. He won this honor for his role in the play “How I Got That Story,” staged at the Source Theatre. He was also in an acclaimed production of “Julius Caesar.” Later he had small parts in films such as “Bonfire of the Vanities” and “1776.”

Michael also wrote several plays including “Doormen” and “Our Lady of the Gulf.” His best known work as an author was The Dance of Time: The Origins of the Calendar, published in 2004. The book explored three streams of history that created the Western calendar—first from the Sumerians, then from the Celtic and Germanic peoples in the North, and finally from Palestine with the rise of Christianity.

After residing briefly in New York and Los Angeles, Michael returned to Washington to begin a long career as a US Capitol Tour Guide and Congressional historian. Representatives and Senators often requested Michael’s services for special guests. He used his extensive knowledge of the Capitol to edit the Senate newsletter, The Inkwell. He retired in 2015 after 20 years of Federal service.

During his tenure at the Capitol, he met and married Nancy McWilliams in 2002. They were often seen in the Van Ness area of the city walking their dog, Oliver. After his retirement Michael spent time recommending books, movies and music to friends and family in funny and insightful on-line reviews. He loved to cook and was an accomplished artist, spending several hours a day drawing.

Michael is survived by his wife, Nancy, a sister Alyson Frederick of Crofton MD, a brother Mark Judge of Potomac MD, a brother Joseph Judge of Virginia Beach VA and a sister-in-law Marianne Judge of Virginia Beach VA. A celebration of Mike’s life will be held in October.