"Jud Taylor's dedication and service to the Guild and its members has spanned three decades, resulting in immeasurable rewards that our membership continues to reap to this day," said Coolidge. "The Robert B. Aldrich Award is the highest award given by the DGA for service to the Guild and our members – and Jud is most certainly a deserving recipient."
Taylor started his career in the entertainment industry as an actor playing a small part in the 1956 feature film, Attack, directed by Robert Aldrich. His acting career eventually gave way to a growing desire to work behind the camera and in 1964 he joined the Guild. Taylor attended DGA Directors Councils as well as DGA National Board meetings, where he began serving as an alternate member and was subsequently elected National Board Member.
In 1973, Taylor took part in his first negotiations as a member of the Creative Rights Committee, and in 1981 served as chairman of the Negotiating Committee. The 1981 contract provided significant gains for Guild members, including improved economic and creative rights as well as affirmative action provisions for women and ethnic minorities.
Taylor was DGA Vice President from 1977 to 1981, and under Robert Aldrich's presidency spearheaded a committee to analyze the DGA pension and health plans. That six-month study led to recommendations resulting in significant improvements in the Guild's pension and health plans. Taylor was elected DGA President and served from 1981-1983. He continues to serve as an ex-officio member of the Western Directors Council.
The veteran of more than 40 made-for-TV movies, Taylor won the Directors Guild of America Outstanding Directorial Achievement Award for his direction of Foxfire (1987), and an Emmy Award nomination for his direction of Tail Gunner Joe (1977). Taylor's other made-for-television movies include Clover (1997), The Old Man and the Sea (1990), Out of the Darkness (1985), A Question of Honor (1982), Flesh & Blood (1979) and The Last Tenant (1978). He also directed numerous television series including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Love, American Style, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Fugitive, and several episodes of Star Trek.
The Robert B. Aldrich Award was established in 1984 to recognize extraordinary service to the Directors Guild of America and to its membership. Robert Aldrich served as DGA President from 1975-1979. Past recipients include Robert E. Wise, Elliot Silverstein, George Sidney, Sheldon Leonard, Gilbert Cates, George L. Schaefer, Larry Auerbach, Milt Felsen, Jack Shea, Gene Reynolds, John Rich, Burt Bluestein, Max A. Schindler, Daniel Petrie, Delbert Mann, Martha Coolidge, Arthur Hiller, Tom Donovan and Edwin Sherin.
