Best known for her decade long role of Mary Ellen on the hit family series “The Waltons,” Judy Norton has established a stellar reputation in the industry as an award winning director, producer, actress and writer.  Now, she has combined three of those credits as producer, writer and star of the upcoming suspense film, “INCLUSION CRITERIA.”

Tara (Judy Norton) doesn't know if she's going crazy, or being manipulated. Is she following down the same path that led to her mother's own battle with mental illness and death … Or is there something more sinister?

To view trailer click here.  

With a release date set for early April, Ms Norton is now available for interviews to discuss the successful transition from child star to industry maven.

SYNOPSIS:

Tara Malone is a successful painter - she is creative, insecure, a loner, with no living relatives and past tragedy that haunts her.

Early on we see that she is being “watched” - we don't know who is watching her, but when she observes a potential crime and finds a large bag of cash, her integrity demands she turn it over to the police. Detective John Wright and his partner arrive at Tara's home to question her. While John's partner, David Kelly doesn't trust Tara, John finds himself attracted to Tara and protective of her vulnerability and soon finds himself entering a personal relationship with Tara.

In the following weeks bizarre events threaten Tara's sanity. Her furniture moves around while she sleeps, items of personal clothing go missing only to reappear in unexpected places, a knife goes missing and Tara finds blood on her own clothes. Fearing she is going crazy, as her mother did - she confesses to John and has him run the blood on her clothes. When it comes back as hers, John encourages her to seek out a therapist. The therapist fears her mental state may be genetic and prescribes pills for Tara.

Shaken and insecure Tara is grateful that John says he believes her and insists he'll help her discover the truth behind these strange happenings… but as Tara's mental state is pushed to the breaking point, all the facts she uncovers point to an even more dangerous possibility and has her questioning everyone she thought she could trust.

Here is a link to the trailer.

OFFICIAL JUDY NORTON BIO can be found here.

A diverse performer, Judy's talents have taken her from stage to screen, from drama to comedy to musical theatre to the recording studio. She has worked in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes as a writer and director. As a singer, she has delighted audiences from North America to Europe, Iceland to Malaysia.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Judy began acting on stage and television from the age of 6. After early work on such TV shows as OZZIE & HARRIET, THE TAMMY GRIMES SHOW and FELONY SQUAD, in 1971, she landed the role of Mary Ellen in the TV movie THE HOMECOMING. This highly successful Christmas special served as the pilot for THE WALTONS TV series and launched Judy to international fame for her role as Mary Ellen. The Waltons, ran for 9 years, garnering numerous Emmy, Golden Globe and People's Choice awards.

ACTING

Her acting credits include the Walton TV movie reunions, A WALTON THANKSGIVING, A WALTON WEDDING and A WALTON EASTER, along with appearances on MILLENNIUM, THE INSPECTORS, SO WEIRD, YOU, ME & THE KIDS, STARGATE'S G1, MENTORS, COLD SQUAD, HIGHER GROUND, HOLLYWOOD OFFRAMP, ED, CHRISTY'S RETURN TO CUTTER GAP the feature films TWIST OF FAITH and HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH SLAYERS, and the mini-series LOST DAUGHTER. She also appeared in a recurring role on the series, BEGGARS & CHOOSERS, and the TV movie OFF SEASON and as part of the new TV series BLUFF and DISORGANIZED ZONE which are available on DVD and various streaming platforms.  Look for Judy in the feature films SPARROWS' NESTING and BROKEN and FINDING HARMONY, ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE and her most recent film INCLUSION CRITERIA'S a psychological thriller Judy stars in which is scheduled for release in 2017.

Judy is also a veteran of the stage. Having made her first appearance on the boards ¯at the age of 7; she has starred in numerous productions including: HELLO DOLLY, BLOOD BROTHERS, LOVE LETTERS, SOUND OF MUSIC, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, SOCIAL SECURITY, RANCHERS & RUSTLERS, WEEKEND COMEDY, PERFECT PITCH, SPRING AT MARINO and MOVE OVER MRS. MARKHAM.

DIRECTING / WRITING

In addition to her etensive work as a performer, Judy has added writing and directing to her resume.  Along with her recurring acting role as Sophia Wyndom in the TV series BLUFF, Judy came on board  as a Director and Head Writer for Season One. Producers are now working on moving ahead with Season Two. Along with Disorganized Zone creator Cyndi Seidler, Judy co-porudced as well as writing and directing multiple episodes.  Three of her film scripts have been produced and are currently in post production:  FINDING HARMONY, ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE and INCLUSION CRITERIA. For many years Judy has been a  member of the artistic team of Texas Family Musicals where she regularly guests as a writer, director and performer;  most recently  directing productions of A CHORUS LINE, ALL SHOOK UP  and  RED SKELTON'S AMERICAN WAY. In 2014 Judy wrote the original two character show MOMENTS REMEMBERED which premiered at the Palace Theatre starring Judy and Don Most (of Happy Days fame) Judy spent 8 years as the co-artistic director for 2 theatres in Canada CELEBRATIONS in Winnipeg and JUBILATIONS in Edmonton. During this time she collaborated as a writer / director on more than 40 shows. These shows have also been produced in various theatres across Western Canada. In 2009, Judy directed the highly successful Musical Theatre of LA/Canary Productions revival of the hit musical CABARET to rave reviews and a top ten on BroadwayWorld.com's favorite shows of the year. Other theatre writing/directing credits include: ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, HELLO DOLLY, SWINGING WITH THE STARS, MAJESTY OF THE SILVER SCREEN, GET ME JOHN DENVER, A TRIBUTE TO PATSY CLINE, CLOSING NIGHT, DARE TO DREAM, ATARIA and  THE SUNSHINE BOYS starring Johnny Crawford.  Additionally, she has directed the short films BLINK OF AN EYE, END OF SUMMER, TOM MIDNIGHT GARDEN, LOVE FARCE, THE SHAMAN, ORANGE and WE 3. Currently Judy is writing a sequel film for Once Upon A Dream Productions. The film is tentatively slated to start filming fall of 2017.

SINGING

Singing has been a passion of Judy's since she first stepped in front of an audience at the age of 6. Since then her musical career has expanded to include musical theatre, concert performances, USO tours and even the occasional foray into the recording studio. In 1999, Judy joined the rest of the Walton cast in recording A Walton Christmas ¯Together Again. This CD included the original song What Christmas Means To Me ¯¯which featured the Walton sisters and was nominated for Best Bluegrass Song at the DOVE awards. Jud followed up this CD with a  CD of her own REFLECTIONS featuring a collection of standards and Broadway songs. (see store for information on purchasing)

ATHLETICS

A talented athlete Judy's sporting activities range from earning  two skydiving world records to competitive horse jumping. She skis,  plays tennis, and has trained in flying trapeze, wing walking and roller derby. Competing three times on BATTLE OF THE NETWORK STARS. Judy's athletic ability caught the eye of legendary sportscaster Howard Cosell who dubbed her one the the best (female) celebrity athletes ¯¯the show had seen. This led to appearances on CELEBRITY CHALLENGE OF THE SEXES and two editions of CIRCUS OF THE STARS.

For interviews, press, high res photos and updated biography please send an email to harlan@bhbpr.com or call 626.296.3757