Former judge pursues movie stardom in retirement
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Former Queens Supreme Court Civil Term Administrative Judge Jeremy Weinstein appeared as an extra in the film “Marry Me,” starring Jennifer Lopez. Photo courtesy of Weinstein
By Jacob Kaye
Former Queens Supreme Court Civil Term Administrative Judge Jeremy Weinstein has already had a storied career – he’s been a deputy assistant attorney general, a state senator, an attorney and a judge.
Now, he’s added one more profession to his impressive resume: movie star.
Weinstein served as an extra in the new romantic comedy “Marry Me,” starring New York native Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson, released earlier this month in time for Valentines Day.
“There's a lot of Oscar buzz for best supporting actor in a non-speaking role that lasts five seconds or less,” Weinstein told the Eagle. “I think that's the category I qualify for.”
The former administrative judge bagged the gig through connections he made on the bench – the film’s producer, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, is the daughter of former Queens Judge Charles Thomas.
Weinstein had previously told Goldsmith-Thomas, who has worked on a number of films with Lopez, that should the need for an extra arise, she should give him a call.
That’s how Weinstein found himself sitting on an airplane, surrounded by cameras, next to the “Jenny from the Block” singer.
The scene is quick – Lopez’s character, an international pop star, is on her way to Peoria, Illinois. Having experienced a very public breakup with her also famous fiance, she’s now shedding the trappings of fame to be with a math teacher, played by Wilson, slumming it in coach next to Weinstein.
“It's as brief as can be – I'm on screen for five seconds. But I'm on screen,” Weinstein said. “It’s strange seeing yourself up there.”
Weinstein, who works as a neutral with National Arbitration and Mediation and as an attorney for a financial services firm, didn’t always dream of acting in a film, but did note some of the similarities between the drama of the movies and the drama of the courtroom.
“There is a little bit of acting involved in the courtroom, as well as previously being an elected official,” he said. “But I'm not giving up my day job anytime soon.”
As far as the acting was concerned, Weinstein said he didn’t have to dig too deep.
“What I thought about was not trying to do anything but think about sitting on a plane going out to Peoria and there’s a little bit of turbulence on the plane,” the former judge said.
Though the film was only just released, it’s been in the works for a while. Weinstein shot the plane scene in the fall of 2019. Since then, he’s only thought of scoring his next big role, he joked.
“I'm speaking to my agent right now to see if he can get me 10 seconds of time,” Weinstein said.
