Judge Reinhold on Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F: ‘I’m proud to play a cop’
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Judge Reinhold is telling a funny story. He is sitting in a fancy studio far away from me and recalls the time before Beverly Hills Cop was released. Reinhold mentions that he had to bring two IDs to the bank that day.
He gazes in my direction.
I reflect on the situation, grateful for the opportunity. I have been attempting to guide him in a certain direction with my inquiries for the last 20 minutes, but he refuses to budge, like a stubborn dog who is reluctant to go for a bath at the end of a stroll.
"That's how incognito I was," he says, trying to assist me.
Well, well, well. I must admit, I did not play my part as an appreciative listener to a seasoned storyteller. The issue is that he has an abundance of anecdotes, creating a barrier between us and making it difficult to see the person beneath them.
It's been a while since Judge Reinhold was not well-known. We're here to discuss Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, the fourth movie in Eddie Murphy's series about a rebellious police officer from Detroit solving crimes in the wealthy Beverly Hills neighborhood. When the first action-comedy came out in 1984, Reinhold became briefly famous for his role as the clueless detective Billy Rosewood. Beverly Hills Cop was a huge hit at the box office and had a great soundtrack, leading to two more sequels in the next ten years. However, by the time Beverly Hills Cop III came out in 1994, the jokes were getting old and the series came to a silly conclusion.
When I think back to our conversation, I remember how Reinhold's slow blinks seemed to last forever as he tried to process what I was saying. This is a common trait of Reinhold's characters, who often find themselves in awkward or surprising situations that challenge their expectations. In my mind, I also picture him glancing off to the side with a look of amused disbelief, as if to say "Can you believe this guy?" This is typical of a Judge Reinhold character, who often tries to come across as intelligent and friendly. In reality, Reinhold was calm, focused, and hardly ever looked away from the camera.
The next day, so many people on the highway were stopping me to ask for my autograph," he continued, sharing with me how, as a young actor, it was everything he had hoped for, it was amazing, it was fantastic. It seems more like a whirlwind experience, I believe, and I am curious to learn more about what it was like to become a celebrity overnight. Was he prepared for it? Can a person's mind truly handle that kind of sudden fame? Did he have a support system in place? Could this be the reason he admits to behaving poorly and ruining his career for a period of time just by being difficult to be around?
Following the success of the first Beverly Hills Cop movie, Reinhold gained a reputation for being a challenging star. There were reports that he would yell at everyone on set, leading other actors to refuse to rehearse with him. Even now, rumors persist on the internet about his behavior, including being disliked as a host of SNL and continuing to have tantrums even after his major roles decreased. In a 1992 interview, Reinhold acknowledged this tough period, admitting, "It was very difficult for me to accept and take ownership of the harm I had caused."
However, Reinhold seems to understand my intentions and does not allow me to steer the conversation. In this controlled environment, he is not one for small talk; instead, he launches into a familiar narrative, leaving me struggling to interject and guide us back to the original topic.
Edward Ernest Reinhold Jr, who grew up in Delaware, is the son of a trial lawyer. When he was a baby, his parents nicknamed him "Judge" because he always had a serious look on his face. He became well-known for his role as Brad in the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and then gained more fame after appearing in Beverly Hills Cop. Although he starred in some unsuccessful movies afterwards, he later landed smaller roles in well-known films such as Gremlins and The Santa Clause. Recently, he gained more popularity for his funny appearance in Arrested Development, where he humorously declares, "My name is Judge" in his bio line on X/Twitter.
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Even though I researched his interviews, talk show appearances, SNL monologues, and production notes, he still seems like a friendly mystery to me. We only had a short video call with five other people present, but I had hoped we would really connect and dive into the interesting topics. It's like the Judge Reinhold effect - he's so good at portraying the average person that you expect him to be open and relaxed, with a constant hint of a smile on his face.
However, my original idea has fallen apart. Reinhold is here for a specific purpose (to promote a film) and he is determined to do it (repeating stories he has already shared multiple times during this promotional tour). He skillfully transitions from my questions to lengthy anecdotes about how Beverly Hills Cop was initially meant to be an action film starring Sylvester Stallone, and the surprise everyone felt when Reinhold, Eddie Murphy, and John Ashton reunited after 37 years - "When we stepped out of the van, people looked at us strangely, as if we had come straight from their past. It was a lot of fun." I am treated to exclusive details about how in Beverly Hills Cop, whenever Billy has his hands in his pockets, it's because Reinhold is gripping his thigh to prevent himself from laughing uncontrollably.
I have come across these stories many times during my research, they are well-known and I am looking for something fresh and unexpected. I inquire if he has ever tried an espresso with a hint of lemon (as famously mentioned in the movie Beverly Hills Cop II) - "No, that doesn't sound appealing. Is that even a thing?" - and about the Guns N' Roses T-shirt that Billy wears in Axel F, which apparently required multiple frantic calls to the band's manager for approval just hours before the shoot.
However, what I am truly seeking is a peek into the individual beyond the stories, the individual who has experienced moments of great success and challenges. I am eager to understand Judge Reinhold's true thoughts, beliefs, and emotions.
I see greed as a mental illness, similar to a gambling addiction or alcohol dependency. It's a problem that many people struggle with.
In the world of Beverly Hills Cop, Billy Rosewood started off as a straightforward detective, someone who played by the book to solve cases. However, when Axel Foley entered the picture, he encouraged Billy to bend the rules a bit, engage in some questionable activities like visiting a strip club during lunch break. This was the beginning of a new side to Billy Rosewood, a man who may seem naive but secretly desires to be like Rambo, armed to the teeth and ready to take on any challenge with phrases like "You can never have too much firepower" as he brandishes a shotgun.
I am curious if there is a person like "Axel" in Reinhold's life who has had a significant impact on him and changed the course of his life. As he pauses to consider, he humorously portrays himself as a thoughtful individual pondering the question.
"Yes," he replies. "My spouse."
I feel let down. He knows how I feel. "I apologize. I don't want to sound sappy, but I... it's my spouse. I don't know where I'd be without my spouse. I'd be confused. I'd truly be confused. I'd be walking on the highway somewhere." Reinhold first laid eyes on his second spouse, Amy, at a gathering in LA and immediately felt a connection. When she left without them meeting, he got anxious and followed her in his car before feeling foolish and arranging to meet through mutual friends. Six months later, they tied the knot. "Everything just clicked when I met her. We've been married for 25 years and it still feels like an adventure. So yes, that's my answer. Easily."
I didn't fully express my thoughts, but I understand now. I can think of three specific people who had a profound impact on my life, even though Judge Reinhold may keep his relationships private.
"Copaganda" refers to films and TV shows that portray the police as brave and without fault, promoting the idea that law enforcement and the justice system are flawless. In the movie Beverly Hills Cop, the main characters disrupt criminal activity by bending the rules, with traditional cops eventually coming to support their actions. Despite this idealized portrayal, there has been growing criticism and scrutiny of the police in recent years. The killing of George Floyd led to global protests against police violence and calls to defund and abolish the police force.
How does a popular movie about cops fit into a world that is constantly changing? Did the people working on the movie think about the tense relationship between law enforcement and many members of the public? Actor Reinhold mentioned, "[Axel] comes up against power, and corruption. And Billy is fighting it, too..." He seemed a bit overwhelmed by the seriousness of the topic. "I'm honored to portray a police officer who is standing up against these issues - I know that I am fortunate. Society has always looked out for me." After Reinhold was arrested in 2016 for causing a disturbance while refusing to go through security at Dallas Airport, he tweeted, "Best line of a bad night -Booking sergeant: "Hey Billy! Can't you book yourself?!"
He stops briefly and then leads us down a different road that catches me off guard for the first time. "The movie is all about corruption and heroism. It's about reclaiming what has been lost to greed. We're essentially battling against greed - I don't want to get too philosophical, but I believe that is the universal struggle we are facing. I see greed as a mental illness similar to gambling or alcohol addiction - it's a worldwide challenge that we must confront."
I dislike it when actors digress, but it is relevant to our discussion. Eddie encounters this insatiable greed, and that is the struggle. It is the major battle we must all face in our current era. We must confront the issue of prioritizing shareholder value over human value. This is the significant challenge we are addressing, albeit indirectly.
Even though we are far apart and communicating through technology, I can sense a deep sense of sorrow coming from Reinhold as he speaks. It is clear that he is passionate about getting his message across accurately.
When discussing the world and all its aspects, our main goal is to provide a light-hearted and comedic touch. We have already touched upon this subject. The movie [Beverly Hills Cop] holds a special place in people's hearts, and we aim to cater to that sentiment by bringing some joy and laughter during these difficult times. Don't you agree?
I am amazed by the sudden realization that he seems like a child pretending to be an adult, thinking about how he missed out on important lessons in life. His talk about greed and sadness regarding society, along with the sincere belief that watching Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F could provide some relief for people, even if just for a moment... is this a sign of hope?
Just as quickly as it appeared, the spark disappears. In a matter of moments, we're back on track with our conversation. By the time 30 minutes have passed, I feel like we've been engaged in a friendly battle of intelligence. Perhaps he feels the same. "Great questions," he repeats multiple times and in my eagerness to end the meeting, I simply respond with a repetitive "Thank you, thank you," like a fool accepting the wrong award.
The gap between my plans and reality is huge. I stand there, staring at it with wide eyes. Looking to the side, I think, "Can you believe this?" But we can't really know much about it except that his name is Judge.
The movie 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' is now available to watch on Netflix starting today, July 3rd.
