Jury Dutyis a hilarious and innovative series created by Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg, both of whom worked on theU.S. version ofThe Office. It’s a mockumentary-style show that follows a jury trial, starring James Marsden, Mekki Leeper, Alan Barinholtz, and, importantly,Ronald Gladden. Despite being shown on a lesser-used streaming service, Freevee, the series became a hit with audiences and critics alike, earning a score of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and four Emmy nominations.It was semi-improvisedand shot in near-real time over 17 days, which comes across in the realism portrayed with the mockumentary style.
What could have been just another workplace sitcom in a sea of other similar shows stands out for a couple of key reasons. Writing forRoger Ebert, Rendy Jones describes the show as “a resonant story of community, delightfully unpacking how it’s not just about serving in this world but who you’re serving with.” This life affirming layer of the show is just one of the components setting it apart from the others. The other, perhaps more significant, reasons thatJury Dutyis so groundbreaking is Ronald Gladden, who is at the center of the action. To find out who Gladden is and why he is so important, keep reading.
Is Ronald Gladden Actually an Actor?
Despite the fact that he is the star ofJury Duty, Ronald Gladden is not an actor, which is what makes the show so interesting. Everyone else that is featured in the show is an actor with more or less of a script to follow, but Gladden had no idea. He was under the impression that he was a real juror and that the case he was observing was being filmed for a documentary on the United States legal sytem. Even though the relatively famous James Marsden was a fellow juror (playing himself), Gladden was never tipped off.
Gladden is a solar contractor who was just trying to do his civic duty and has now been catapulted into fame, which he seems to be enjoying, though it must have taken some adjusting. Speaking to theNew York Post, Gladden conveys the paranoia he experienced after learning that he had been deceived in that way. He says he had to send a message to co-star Marsden the weekend after asking, “Are there still cameras following me?” So, while the end result is a hugely funny TV show, and Gladden seems to have adjusted to his new life, this style of filmmaking does raise ethical questions around deception and mental health.
How Did Ronald Gladden Get Picked?
Related:Jury Duty Review: James Marsden and Other Actors Dupe a Real Juror in Freevee’s Clever Outing
According to producer Nicholas Hatton, there were over 4,000 applicants, so the show could have gone in number of different directions depending on who was chosen to take part in it. They landed on Gladden because they were looking for someone who would lead the action well and that the audience would want to root for. He was evidently the right choice because he has become so beloved by the show’s viewers.
Where Is Ronald Gladden Now?
For his troubles, Gladden was given $100,000, which is not insubstantial, but also doesn’t provide overnight wealth. The show did, however, provide overnight fame, as he suddenly found himself at the center of heavy interest and discussion. Since the show aired, he was invited to the premiere ofStupnitsky’sNo Hard Feelings, where he met Jennifer Lawrence and more. He was also invited by Kendall Jenner to an event for her tequila brand. The closest Gladden has been to more acting work sinceJury Dutyis starring in a Mint Mobile commercial with Ryan Reynolds, but he has, thus far, remained relatively low-key.
Related:Please Rise, James Marsden: Nameless Nice Guy Turned Jury Duty’s Resident Jerk
In May 2023, Gladden announced that he had signed with the talent management agency, Artists First. TheDeadlinerelease of this news shares that a representative for the agency said, “We were drawn to Ronald due to his good guy’ brand and think everyone needs a little more of that in their lives.” As for Gladden himself, he says “I’m very excited and happy to announce that I’ll be partnering with Artists First, a company that understands me and shares the same vision.” So, it seems that more work in the industry is imminent, whether he simply rides this wave doing partnerships and commercials, or if he advances this career and starts taking on more acting roles in movies or TV.
