43 Facts About Bailiff Byrd

From his stint on Judge Judy, Byrd is television's longest court show bailiff in history.

Petri Adonis Bailiff Byrd was born on November 29,1957, in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.

Bailiff Byrd has described his mother as a strict disciplinarian who was insistent about her children achieving their education and treating people with respect.

From 1986 through 1989, Bailiff Byrd worked in the Manhattan family court system as a courtroom officer on a rotating basis for varying judges, Sheindlin among many others.

In 1989, Bailiff Byrd obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College.

In 1992, Bailiff Byrd made another career transition, becoming a student counselor at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, California, remaining in this profession until 1996.

In 1995, Bailiff Byrd read a news article in a Liz Smith column about Sheindlin's new book, Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining, as well as her then upcoming television court show project to be filmed in Los Angeles.

Bailiff Byrd added "Hawkins" to his name when he joined the Judge Judy program as a salute to his late mother; Hawkins was her maiden name.

Bailiff Byrd typically answered Sheindlin with simple, unadorned nonverbal expressions or exclamations.

On numerous occasions over the course of the show's 25-year run, Bailiff Byrd played a key role in the proceedings: he was frequently sought by Sheindlin to look up vehicle estimates from the Kelley Blue Book so that she could award the accurate judgment amount.

Bailiff Byrd contacted litigants' parole officers and performed drug tests.

Bailiff Byrd was tasked with controlling emotions that ran high among the parties and preventing potential altercations between the show's guests, typically by standing in-between them and the litigant podiums during the proceedings.

Sheindlin frequently directed Bailiff Byrd to expel litigants from the courtroom who acted in ways that she found inappropriate.

On occasion, Bailiff Byrd nonchalantly disagreed with Sheindlin when she bounced a question off of him for his agreement, often in relation to dressing down the parties.

Bailiff Byrd routinely delivered evidence to Sheindlin while having his head and eye contact directed away from her off to his sides, a trait observed publicly by Amy Poehler.

Bailiff Byrd was on the long running UPN show "The Parkers".

Bailiff Byrd has participated in several movies and TV shows, including Tom Hennessy, Soul Lake, Under The Palm Tree, American Skin, Sheen Talk, Inspirit, and Reesie's Pieces.

Bailiff Byrd played a judge role in the independent film End of the Law, which was shot in Sacramento, California and premiered at the Crest Theatre on October 3,2003.

In December 2019, Bailiff Byrd returned to disclose improvements in relation to diabetes and his overall health.

Amid Bailiff Byrd's much publicized exclusion from Sheindlin's spin-off series Judy Justice and the strong fan response received, he was reportedly approached by producers to present a program of his own that would see him as the mediator in some form.

Bailiff Byrd communicated an interest in the idea of acting as a television mediator.

Bailiff Byrd landed a guest voice acting role in the upcoming Disney+ revival of The Proud Family, set to premiere in 2022.

In December 2020, during 25th season production of Judge Judy, Bailiff Byrd noted publicly that he would be "honored" if invited back for the spin-off series in an interview with the Associated Press.

Bailiff Byrd described feeling perplexed by Sheindlin's statements, stating he never had the opportunity to discuss salary or lower salaries with anyone.

Bailiff Byrd added that he was humbled by the show of support from fans.

In following appearances on The Real, Entertainment Tonight Canada and The Black News Channel, Bailiff Byrd quipped that Sheindlin's treatment of him was akin to Batman abandoning Robin.

When questioned on the nature of his relationship with Sheindlin, Bailiff Byrd answered that he and Sheindlin never treated each other like friends throughout the court show's entire 25 season run, nor while working within the family court system prior to that.

Rather, Bailiff Byrd described himself as only having a professional relationship with Sheindlin limited to behaving cordially around each other, Bailiff Byrd using the analogy of what a relationship might be between a low-ranking mail clerk employed for Bill Gates at one of his companies.

Elaborating, Bailiff Byrd pointed out that Sheindlin never once invited him to a lunch or celebratory get-together in all of the show's 25 seasons.

Bailiff Byrd has stated that he welcomes a phone call from Sheindlin if she takes exception to any of his media appearances or opposes any of his public claims.

Bailiff Byrd has added ultimately that he holds no grudges, is grateful to Sheindlin and wished her all the best with Judy Justice.

In early November 2021, Bailiff Byrd additionally shared that he felt snubbed when he was not allowed to present Sheindlin's Lifetime Achievement Award to her at the Daytime Emmy ceremony.

Bailiff Byrd added that he was seated 15 to 20 rows back while Sheindlin sat with Judge Judy Executive Producer Randy Douthit in the front rows.

Bailiff Byrd is a popular master of ceremonies and inspirational speaker and spends a lot of time motivating and building the lives of troubled youth.

Bailiff Byrd is on the board of the faith-based youth program Teen Center USA.

Bailiff Byrd operates a nonprofit mentoring program, entitled "Teach Them to Fish", focusing on physical, mental, social and spiritual growth.

Bailiff Byrd has shared that their production company is geared towards launching broadcast entertainment projects for streaming as well as developing and presenting stage plays.

In 1980, Bailiff Byrd married Felicia Hawkins, the mother of his children.

Altogether Bailiff Byrd has four children, all adults and all from his first marriage to Hawkins.

Bailiff Byrd married former fellow Judge Judy crew member Makita Bond Bailiff Byrd on May 4,2019.

In 2015, the two briefly reconnected through Bailiff Byrd greeting Makita in text message, her replying but no further communications at that time.

Bailiff Byrd set up a surprise appearance as new producer on the set of the court show for Byrd, thinking he would remember who she was because of a Facebook request he sent her once she landed the position.

Bailiff Byrd later admitted only pretending to remember her when they reunited, privately questioning a fellow Judge Judy crew member who she was.