Judith Hoag

With red hair and blue eyes, Judith Hoag has appeared in film and television for four decades. The American actress, known for her role as April O'Neil in the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film, also played Gwen Piper in the Halloweentown series. Her other credits include Michael Bay's 1998 film Armageddon, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and a deleted scene in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, as well as I Am Number Four and Hitchcock.

Born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, Hoag attended Walnut Hill School, as did Paige Turco, who later played April O'Neil in the sequel. She began acting on stage at age 13 and has studied acting with Diana Castle for several years. She is the daughter of Joan Esther (Todriff) and Charles Edward Hogg, and she has two children, a son and a daughter.

Hoag describes her work as never boring, comparing it to a game of dress-up and make-believe. She has shot eight television pilots and remains optimistic about landing one that will go to series. Of her role in Bad City Blues, she recalls robbing banks, jumping off balconies, and shooting guns while wearing leather. To aspiring actors, she advises: "Don't be lazy. Go after what you desire. Be willing to work hard and be patient. Be kind to yourself." She also defends commercials, noting that the audition process can be tedious but the actual work can be fun.