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Judith Hoag
Judith Hoag
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Judith Hoag (/hɡ/; born June 29, 1963[1][better source needed]) is an American actress. She is known for playing April O'Neil in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) and Gwen Cromwell Piper in the Disney Channel television film series Halloweentown, from 1998 to 2006.[2]

Key Information

Hoag is also known for her recurring roles as Cindy Dutton Price in the HBO drama series Big Love (2006–2011), Tandy Hampton in the ABC musical drama series Nashville (2012–2018), and Stephanie Quinn in the Syfy fantasy drama series The Magicians (2016–2020).

Early life

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Hoag was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts.[3] As a teen, Hoag attended Walnut Hill School in Natick, Massachusetts, where she concentrated on acting. She graduated in 1981.[4]

Career

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Judith Hoag and TMNT creator Kevin Eastman talk to a fan at a convention in Washington state on June 22, 2025.

Hoag has acted professionally since 1986. That year, she got one of her first roles as a series regular in the ABC daytime soap opera Loving; she played the role of Charlotte 'Lotty' Bates Alden.[citation needed] After leaving Loving in 1988, Hoag began her career in primetime television, and in next year won female lead role on CBS comedy series Wolf. The series was canceled after a single season. In 1990, she starred in films A Matter of Degrees and Cadillac Man.

Hoag is most well known for her role as April O'Neil in the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film.[5] The film turned out to be a huge success at the box office, eventually making over $135 million in North America, and over $66 million outside North America, for a worldwide total of over $200 million, making it the ninth highest-grossing film of 1990 worldwide.[6] After Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fame, Hoag starred in a number of pilots not picked up as a series, and appeared in several television films, including Fine Things by Danielle Steel, and Switched at Birth opposite Bonnie Bedelia.

Hoag received further recognition as Gwen Cromwell Piper in the Disney Channel Halloweentown franchise, appearing in Halloweentown (1998), Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge (2001), Halloweentown High (2004) and Return to Halloweentown (2006). In a 2020 Galaxy Con question-and-answer panel, Hoag revealed she had a meeting with the head of Walt Disney Television where she read for the part and got cast in the role after it was revealed that the head's son was a die-hard Ninja Turtle fan as Hoag had previously played April O'Neil in 1990's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.[7]

She also appeared in the films Armageddon (1998), Flying By (2009), I Am Number Four (2011) and Hitchcock (2012),[8] and has made over 60 guest appearances on television shows, including Quantum Leap, Melrose Place, Roseanne, The Nanny, Murder, She Wrote, Chicago Hope, The X-Files, Six Feet Under, Ghost Whisperer, NYPD Blue, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, CSI: NY, Criminal Minds, Sons of Anarchy, Castle, The Middle, Grimm and among other notable television series.[citation needed]

From 2006 to 2011, Hoag also appeared as Cindy Price on the HBO drama series Big Love.

Hoag at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2019.

In 2012, Hoag was cast in a recurring role in the ABC drama series Nashville created by Academy Award winner Callie Khouri.[9] She plays the poised and driven Tandy Hampton, daughter and protégé of Lamar Wyatt. She referees sister Rayna (Connie Britton) and Lamar's (Powers Boothe) contentious relationship, trying to calm the waters.[10] She appeared total in 40 episodes, include almost every episode during the first two seasons.

In 2015, Hoag filmed a cameo for the 2016 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows,[11] but the scene with her was cut from the final film.[12] Her scene later appeared in the film's home media release.[13]

From 2016 to 2020, Hoag appeared in a recurring role as Alice's (Olivia Taylor Dudley) mother in the Syfy fantasy series The Magicians, and played a supporting role in the 2018 romantic drama film Forever My Girl.[14]

Personal life

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In 1988, she married actor Vince Grant.[citation needed] They have two children, a son and a daughter. The couple divorced in 2016.[15] On February 13, 2021, she married Phillip Stone.[16]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1990 A Matter of Degrees Kate Blum
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles April O'Neil
Cadillac Man Molly
1997 Here Dies Another Day Charlotte
1998 Armageddon Denise Chappel
1999 Bad City Blues Callilou Carter
2006 Salt Rebecca
2009 Flying By Vicki
2010 A Nightmare On Elm Street Doctor Uncredited
2011 Wish Wizard Mrs. Casey
I Am Number Four Sarah's Mom
2012 Hitchcock Lillian
2013 Bad Words Petal Dubois
2014 Destroyer Debbie Short film
2016 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows Rita Cameo; Scenes deleted
2017 Fishbowl Macy
DC Noir Mary Sullivan
2018 Forever My Girl Dr. Whitman
2021 Finding You Jennifer Sinclair
2023 Roll with It Ruby

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1986 American Playhouse Kevin's Friend Episode: "The Little Sister"
1986–1987 Loving Charlotte 'Lotty' Bates Alden Unknown episodes
1988 Spenser: For Hire Eileen Kingsley Episode: "Skeletons in the Closet"
1989 CBS Summer Playhouse Episode: "Elysian Fields"
1989–1990 Wolf Melissa Shaw Elliott 11 episodes
1990 The Young Riders Ellen Episode: "The Littlest Cowboy"
The Knife and Gun Club Dr. Annie Falk Television film
Fine Things Molly Television film
1991 Switched at Birth Barbara Mays Television film
Murder in High Places Meg Faithorn Television film
Lenny Megan Episode: "My Boyfriend's Black and There Gonna Be Trouble"
1992 Quantum Leap Julie Miller Episode: "Nowhere to Run - August 10, 1968"
Roseanne Kerry Episode: "Looking for Loans in All the Wrong Places"
Melrose Place Sarah Goldstein 2 episodes
Murder, She Wrote Gretchen Price Episode: "Programmed for Murder"
1993 The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. Iphigenia Poole Episode: "Socrates' Sister"
Walker, Texas Ranger Lainie Flanders Episode: "Family Matters"
Acting on Impulse Gail Black Television film
1994 Dream On Pamela Episode: "Hey, Nanny Nanny"
The Nanny Katherine Porter / Kathy Marie O'Malley Episode: "Material Fran"
Murder, She Wrote Nancy Godfrey Episode: "To Kill a Legend"
Hardball Barbara Episode: "My Name Is Hard B."
Mad About You Doris Episode: "The Ride Home"
1995 Sweet Justice Cory Shaw Episode: "Baby Mine"
A Mother's Gift Sarah Lutz Television film
1997 The Burning Zone Dr. Meredith Schrager 2 episodes
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction Episode: "From the Agency"
Nash Bridges Dr. Gabrielle Episode: "One Flew Over the Cuda's Nest"
Nothing Sacred Judy 2 episodes
Breast Men Valerie Television film
1998 Pensacola: Wings of Gold Maureen Hunt Episode: "We Are Not Alone"
Soldier of Fortune, Inc. Claire Broderick Episode: "Payback"
Halloweentown Gwen Cromwell Piper Television film
1998–2000 The Pretender Captain Angela Wiley 2 episodes
1999 Strange World Regina Tyler Episode: "Down Came the Rain"
Providence Susan Marcus Episode: "Pig in Providence"
Chicago Hope Tina Hofmeister Episode: "Kiss of Death"
The X-Files Dr. Mindy Rinehart Episode: "Hungry"
2000 Touched by an Angel Janet Episode: "A House Divided"
2001 Judging Amy Bonnie Manning Episode: "Redheaded Stepchild"
Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge Gwen Cromwell Piper Television film
2002 Boston Public Beth Thomas Episode: "Chapter Thirty-Five"
Six Feet Under Dawn Episode: "Out, Out, Brief Candle"
ER Mrs. Brenner Episode: "Next of Kin"
2003 Without a Trace Carol Miller Episode: "Maple Street"
Crossing Jordan Alice Ross Episode: "Conspiracy"
Carnivàle Miss Jolene Episode: "Black Blizzard"
The Guardian Ria Lewicki Episode: "Hazel Park"
2004 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Merill Maguire Episode: "Getting Off"
Century City Episode: "Love and Games"
7th Heaven Mrs. Johnson Episode: "High and Dry"
NYPD Blue Paige Matheson Episode: "I Love My Wives, But Oh You Kid"
Halloweentown High Gwen Cromwell Piper Television film
2005 JAG Mildred Evans Episode: "Fair Winds and Following Seas"
Close to Home Terry the Madam Episode: "Suburban Prostitution"
2006 Commander in Chief Syndi Saltzman Episode: "Wind Beneath My Wing"
Bones Helen Granger Episode: "The Superhero in the Alley"
Still Standing Melanie Goldman Episode: "Still Graduating"
Ghost Whisperer Angela Morrison Episode: "Drowned Lives"
Return to Halloweentown Gwen Cromwell Piper Television film
2006–2011 Big Love Cindy Dutton Price 13 episodes
2007 Grey's Anatomy Rhada Douglas 2 episodes
Notes from the Underbelly Mrs. Cole Episode: "Keeping Up Appearances"
Final Approach Marie Gilford Television film
Women's Murder Club Dr. Raine Van Aiken Episode: "Welcome to the Club"
2008 Girlfriends Alison Episode: "Adapt to Adopt"
Swingtown Rita Pierce Episode: "Friends with Benefits"
Sons of Anarchy Karen Oswald Episode: "Fun Town"
The Mentalist Sandra Boatwright Episode: "Red Hair and Silver Tape"
2009 The Forgotten Charlotte Dent Episode: "Diamond Jane"
2010 CSI: NY Mrs. Reynolds Episode: "Criminal Justice"
Private Practice Angie McConnell 3 episodes
Weeds Dana Episode: "Fran Tarkenton"
2011 The Defenders Courtney Noland Episode: "Noland v. Galloway Pharmaceuticals"
Off the Map Margie Packard Episode: "There's a Lot to Miss About the Jungle"
In Plain Sight Sharon Harris Episode: "Meet the Shannons"
Castle Mrs. Hamilton Episode: "Head Case"
Grimm Mrs. Jessup Episode: "Danse Macabre"
The Craigslist Killer Patricia Banks Television film
2012 Criminal Minds Diana Mitchell Episode: "Unknown Subject"
The Middle Mrs. Jennings Episode: "Get Your Business Done"
Happily Divorced Donna Episode: "Swimmers and Losers"
Sexting in Suburbia Patricia Reid Television film
2012–2018 Nashville Tandy Hampton 41 episodes
2016–2020 The Magicians Stephanie Quinn 5 episodes

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Judith Hoag is an American and born on June 29, 1963, in , best known for originating the role of the intrepid reporter in the 1990 live-action film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Inspired by her mother to pursue acting, Hoag began performing in local theater productions in Newburyport at age 13, often skipping school to participate, and later attended in , focusing on drama. Her professional acting career began in 1986 with a series regular role in the ABC Loving, followed by her film debut in A Matter of Degrees (1990) alongside , and she nearly declined the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles role due to a scheduling conflict with but accepted after producers adjusted the filming schedule, viewing it as a breakthrough opportunity. Hoag's filmography includes supporting roles in major productions such as Cadillac Man (1990) with Robin Williams, Michael Bay's Armageddon (1998) as Bruce Willis's wife, Hitchcock (2012), and I Am Number Four (2011), while her television credits feature a recurring role as Cindy Price on HBO's Big Love (2006–2011), appearances on Nashville (2013), Grimm (2011–2017), and The Magicians (2015–2020). She also starred as skeptical mother Gwen Cromwell Piper in the Disney Channel's Halloweentown film series (1998–2006), earning praise for her warm, relatable performances alongside Debbie Reynolds. In addition to acting, Hoag has taught acting classes, emphasizing generosity and support for emerging performers, and continues to be recognized for her versatile career spanning over three decades in film, television, and theater, with recent film roles including Finding You (2021) and Roll with It (2023).

Early life

Childhood and family

Judith Hoag was born Judith Woodward Hogg on June 29, 1963, in , the daughter of Charles Edward Hogg and Joan Esther Todriff. Her family background in the coastal provided a relatively modest upbringing, though specific details about her parents' professions or extended family remain limited in public records. Hoag displayed an early affinity for performance during her childhood in Newburyport, where her fourth-grade music teacher observed that she was "given to histrionics," highlighting her dramatic tendencies even as a young child. Her mother played a pivotal role in nurturing this interest, affectionately nicknaming her "Sarah Heartburn" and encouraging her to push past initial fears of performing by asking, "You might be afraid to go, but aren't you more afraid to stay?" This familial support fostered her passion for from an early age. By age 13, Hoag had immersed herself in local theater in Newburyport, frequently skipping school to spend time at a small community playhouse, which marked the beginning of her serious engagement with acting. No siblings are documented in available biographical accounts, suggesting she grew up as an only child.

Education and early interests

Judith Hoag developed an early interest in acting through imaginative pretend play, beginning as young as age four. This passion for storytelling and character development drew her to performance, where she found joy in creating complex personas and collaborating with others. At age 13, while living in , Hoag began skipping school to participate in local theater activities at a small community venue, marking her initial foray into stage performance. Her enthusiasm for was so strong that her parents enrolled her in a school to channel her interests productively. Hoag attended the for the Arts in , a focused on , where she concentrated her studies on and theater. This formal training provided a structured environment to hone her skills, building on her self-driven beginnings and preparing her for a professional career in the field.

Career

Early career and television debut

Judith Hoag began her professional acting career in television with a guest role in the anthology series in 1986, portraying Kevin's friend in the episode (also known as "Forbidden" or "The Tender Age"). This marked her screen debut, following early involvement in local theater in her hometown of , where she had started a small theater company. That same year, Hoag secured her first recurring role as a series regular on the Loving, playing Charlotte "Lotty" Bates Alden from 1986 to 1987. In this role, she depicted a young woman navigating family dynamics and relationships in the fictional town of , contributing to the show's focus on interconnected storylines among its . Her experience on the provided intensive , involving rapid script memorization and multiple scenes per day, which she later described as a "very strange world" contrasting her prior theater work. Transitioning to primetime, Hoag made guest appearances in the late 1980s, including as Eileen Kingsley in the episode "Skeletons in the Closet" of Spenser: For Hire in 1988. She also appeared in an episode of CBS Summer Playhouse in 1989. Her early primetime breakthrough came with the lead role of Melissa Shaw Elliott in the CBS crime drama Wolf (1989–1990), where she co-starred alongside Jack Scalia as the sister of a framed police officer turned private detective; the series ran for one season before cancellation. These roles established Hoag in episodic television, showcasing her versatility in supporting characters amid procedural and dramatic narratives.

Breakthrough in film

Judith Hoag's breakthrough in film came with her portrayal of in the 1990 live-action adaptation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, directed by and produced by Golden Harvest and . As the plucky television reporter who allies with the titular mutant turtles, Hoag's performance provided a human anchor to the film's fantastical elements, earning her top billing alongside co-stars and the voice talents of , , and . This marked her first major role, following a series of smaller television appearances, and catapulted her into widespread recognition at age 26. The film, released on March 30, 1990, exceeded expectations despite initial skepticism from critics who doubted its commercial viability based on the source material's cartoon origins. Produced on a modest budget of $13.5 million, it grossed $135.4 million domestically and $202.1 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing of its time and a cultural phenomenon that revitalized the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. Hoag's O'Neil was integral to the narrative, serving as the audience's entry point into the turtles' underground world while showcasing her character's resourcefulness and wit in high-stakes action sequences. Reflecting on the role's impact, Hoag has described the shooting process as demanding, involving extensive night shoots in locations that tested her as a newcomer to feature films. In a 2014 interview, she recalled the initial bashfulness about the project, noting that even acquaintances like expressed excitement upon learning of her involvement, highlighting the role's unexpected prestige. The success propelled her career forward, leading to subsequent film opportunities such as Cadence (1990) and The Object of Beauty (1991), though she later reflected that the as O'Neil influenced her path, prompting her to forgo the sequel due to concerns over the character's direction.

Established roles in television and film

Following her breakthrough performance as in the 1990 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Judith Hoag solidified her presence in both television and film through a series of recurring roles and supporting parts that showcased her versatility in drama, fantasy, and ensemble casts. In television, she gained recognition for her recurring role as Cindy Dutton Price, the sister of Barb Henrickson (played by ), in the series from 2006 to 2011, appearing in multiple episodes that explored themes of family dynamics within a polygamous community. This role highlighted her ability to portray complex familial relationships, contributing to the show's critical acclaim for its portrayal of . Hoag also took on the recurring part of Tandy Hampton, the confidante and sister to country music star Rayna James (), in the ABC drama Nashville from 2012 to 2014, where she appeared across several seasons, adding depth to the series' narrative on the music industry and personal ambitions. Hoag further established herself in genre television with her portrayal of Stephanie Quinn, the mother of key character Alice Quinn, in the Syfy series The Magicians from 2016 to 2020, featuring in four episodes that delved into magical academia and family tensions. Additionally, she starred as the lead in the Disney Channel's Halloweentown franchise, playing widowed mother and witch Gwen Cromwell Piper in the original 1998 TV film and its sequels—Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge (2001), (2004), and (2006)—roles that emphasized her warm, protective maternal presence in fantasy adventures. In film, Hoag continued to build her resume with supporting roles in high-profile productions. She appeared as Denise, the wife of a engineer, in Michael Bay's 1998 disaster blockbuster , contributing to the amid global catastrophe scenarios. Later, in 2011, she played Sarah's mother in the , supporting the story of alien teenagers evading pursuers. Her film work extended to Hitchcock (2012), where she portrayed Lillian, the wife of a studio head, in this biographical drama about Alfred Hitchcock's production of Psycho. These roles, spanning action, sci-fi, and , underscored Hoag's range beyond her initial breakout success.

Later career and teaching

In the 2000s and 2010s, Hoag continued to build a diverse portfolio of television and film roles, often portraying supportive maternal or authoritative figures. She gained recognition for her recurring role as Cindy Dutton Price, the sister of the central character played by , in the HBO series from 2006 to 2011, contributing to the show's exploration of polygamist family dynamics. Her television work extended to guest and recurring appearances in popular series such as (2005), where she played Diana Mitchell; Bones (2005) as Helen Granger; and Weeds (2005) as Dana, showcasing her versatility in procedural and dramedy formats. Hoag's film career during this period included notable supporting parts in major productions. She appeared as Sarah's mother (Annie Hart) in the 2011 sci-fi thriller , directed by , and as Lillian, the studio head's wife, in the 2012 biopic Hitchcock, opposite and . Later films highlighted her in emotional family dramas, such as Margo in (2018), a musician's estranged mother; and Kathryn in Finding You (2021), a set in Ireland. More recently, she starred in Roll With It (2023), a comedy-drama about personal growth. In addition to , Hoag has pursued and producing in the entertainment industry. She is recognized as an acting teacher and , offering guidance to emerging performers, particularly younger actors, drawing from her extensive experience across genres. Her emphasizes practical scene work and , complementing her ongoing production efforts through her company, where she develops scripts and supports new talent. This multifaceted approach has allowed her to mentor the next generation while maintaining an active presence in front of the camera.

Personal life

First marriage and family

Judith Hoag married Vince Grant on July 30, 1988. Hoag and Grant have two children from their marriage: a son and a daughter. Details about the children's names and birth dates remain private, reflecting the family's preference for maintaining a low public profile regarding personal matters.

Divorce and remarriage

Their marriage ended in divorce in August 2016 after 28 years. Details regarding the reasons for the divorce were not publicly disclosed. Following her divorce, Hoag remarried on February 13, 2021, to Phillip Stone. Stone has two sons from a previous relationship, Philip and Logan, whom Hoag became a stepmother to. The couple has shared glimpses of their life together on social media, highlighting shared hobbies and family moments.

Filmography

Film

Judith Hoag has appeared in numerous feature films throughout her career, often in supporting roles. Her breakthrough came with the role of April O'Neil in the 1990 live-action adaptation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. She later gained recognition for her performance as Denise in Michael Bay's Armageddon (1998). The following table lists her selected feature film credits chronologically:
YearTitleRole
1990Molly
1990A Matter of DegreesAnnie
1990Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
1992Hannah
1995Liz Danforth
1998Denise
2011Sarah's Mom
2012HitchcockLillian
2013Bad WordsAllison
2018FishbowlMacy
2018Dr. Whitman
2021Finding YouJennifer Sinclair
2023Roll with ItRuby
Note: This table focuses on feature films and excludes television movies and shorts. Roles are verified from official cast lists.

Television

Judith Hoag has appeared in numerous television productions, including soap operas, TV movies, and guest and recurring roles in primetime series. Her television work spans from daytime drama to originals and series, often portraying strong, maternal, or professional women.
Year(s)TitleRoleNotes
1986–1988LovingCharlotte "Lotty" Bates AldenSeries regular, daytime soap opera
1989WolfAngela HunterSeries regular, short-lived CBS comedy
1990Fine ThingsMollyTV movie
1991Switched at BirthBarbara MaysTV movie
1993Walker, Texas RangerLainie FlandersEpisode: "Family Matters"
1993–1994The NannyKatherine Porter / Kathy Marie O'Malley2 episodes
1995A Mother's GiftSarah LutzTV movie
1998HalloweentownGwen Cromwell PiperTV movie, Disney Channel Original
1999The X-FilesDr. Mindy RinehartEpisode: "Hungry"
2001Halloweentown II: Kalabar's RevengeGwen Cromwell PiperTV movie, Disney Channel Original
2002ERMrs. BrennerEpisode: "Start All Over Again"
2004Halloweentown HighGwen Cromwell PiperTV movie, Disney Channel Original
2004The 4400Jean WeaverRecurring role, 3 episodes
2004–2005NYPD BlueMeg NeillRecurring role, 4 episodes
2006Ghost WhispererLydiaEpisode: "Giving Up the Ghost"
2006Return to HalloweentownGwen Cromwell PiperTV movie, Disney Channel Original
2006–2011Big LoveCindy PriceRecurring role, 13 episodes
2012–2017NashvilleTandy HamptonRecurring role, 23 episodes
2013Criminal MindsSheryl TimmonsEpisode: "The Return"
2015–2018The MagiciansStephanie QuinnRecurring role, 7 episodes
2016Grey's AnatomyDiane Pierce3 episodes
Hoag has also made guest appearances in many other series, including Quantum Leap (1992 as Julie Miller), (1989), (1995), (2002), Six Feet Under (2002), The O.C. (2006), (2011), (2015), and iZombie (2016), among others.

References

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