Judge Reinhold, the American actor born as Edward Ernest Reinhold Jr., is widely recognized for his portrayal of Lieutenant William “Billy” Rosewood in the “Beverly Hills Cop” film series. His character, Billy Rosewood, is a conscientious and rule-following cop who starts off at odds with Eddie Murphy’s character, Axel Foley, before eventually becoming a loyal ally.
In the upcoming Netflix installment, “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” Reinhold reprises his role as Billy Rosewood, alongside Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley and John Ashton as Sgt. John Taggart. This continuation of the franchise reunites the trio, hinting at their camaraderie and the potential surprises or challenges they might face together.
As for the moniker “Judge” Reinhold, it originated from an amusing anecdote related to his infancy. Reinhold’s father, a lawyer, observed that his son had a serious and stern expression at just two weeks old, which reminded him of a stern judge he frequently interacted with. He humorously remarked that his baby resembled Winston Churchill more than most infants, leading to the nickname “Judge” that stuck with him as he grew up.
Interestingly, this nickname extended beyond Reinhold himself. He’s been associated with the name “Judge Reinhold” not only as his stage name but also in various roles he’s portrayed on-screen. For instance, he voiced a character named Judge in an episode of “Clerks: The Animated Series” aired in 2000 and even played a character named “Judge Reinhold” in the film “Fanboys.” This humorous twist has become an integral part of Reinhold’s personal and professional identity over the years.
