Jerry Judge – also known as Life Angel – has been a bodyguard for the likes of Johnny Depp, Paul McCartney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Antonio Banderas and Julia Roberts. His security company Noble confirmed the news of his death on Twitter, writing: “#JerryJudge mentored some of the best entertainment security operatives and teams, and put these guys in the top flight in this business. #JonnyDepp and all who knew Jerry lost a great pal #irreplacable.” Jerry’s cause of death is currently unknown.
Piers Morgan took to Twitter to react to the news in view of his 6.5 million Twitter followers today.
He commented: “Very sad news. Jerry was the best bodyguard in the business – totally professional & hard as nails, but charming, funny and helpful too.
“He understood the celebrity game was a two-way street, and always respected fans & the media so they long as they didn’t cross a line. RIP.”
As well as protecting Johnny, Jerry had cameos in several of his films including Sweeney Todd.
Between 1979 and 1984 he also appeared in several episodes of Dr Who.
Jerry’s work in the business inspired a Facebook page called Jerry Judge Johnny Depp’s Life Angel.
A tribute on the page read: “Its a sad news today Jerry has passed away Johnny’s bodyguard of 22 years or since 1997.
“He was more a family and brother to Johnny and he protected Johnny from harms way those 22 years and will protect him from above, rest in peace beautiful angel of a human being Mr Jerry Judge you will be missed by all of us.”
Other fans took to Twitter to pay a tribute to the late star.
One user wrote: “So sorry to hear this. #JerryJudge you were a master at security, always focusing on protecting Johnny but always kind & considerate of us fans too.
“I will always be grateful for how lovely you were on the night I first met Johnny, leaving us to have a chat. A gentleman. RIP sir.”
A second commented: “Lost for words, thank you for everything. You will be sorely missed within the depp family. Jerry Judge rest in peace.”
Elsewhere, Piers hit out at an Instagram user who claimed he is “fame hungry” earlier this week.
Piers shared the Instagram user’s post which included two pictures of him and a lengthy captioning describing him as “grey, exhausted, self-consumed man.”
They added: “He’s tunnel-visioned, attention seeking and fame hungry. Thank god I’m not like that.”
Piers shared the post writing: “Love these snivelling little twerps who sneak pix of me then post them on social media the next day with their Billy Big Balls diatribes.
“Next time, Twerpy, at least have the guts to say it to my face.”