Product Code Database
Lynn Candace Toler (born October 25, 1959) is an American lawyer, judge, television adjudicator, and television presenter, best-known for her role as arbitrator on Divorce Court. With her 14 seasons on the show, between 2006 and 2020, Toler is the longest-reigning arbitrator on the series.
Toler is also known for her co-hosting role (together with Dr. Ish Major) as a marriage mentor for the series Marriage Boot Camp, specifically Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars - Hip Hop Edition. To date, Toler has presented Marriage Boot Camp for three seasons since the show's 16th season, which began on February 6, 2020. Season 18 of Marriage Boot Camp premiered on October 17, 2021, and Toler was contracted to host the show for an additional 19th season as well, with the series concluding in 2022.
Between 2001 and 2006, Toler was an adjunct professor at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio, where she taught courses on Civil Rights Law and Women's Rights.
Toler experienced much greater success within the court-show genre when she became arbitrating judge over Divorce Court, the longest-running program in the court television genre, and one of the longest-syndicated programs of all time. Toler took over the bench beginning on September 11, 2006, with the premiere of the court show's 24th season, replacing Mablean Ephriam[1] (of whom Toler has said she is fond and with whom Toler has had pleasant interactions). Toler would eventually become Divorce Courts longest-reigning judge (the series also features four other judges who have each had their tenures), presiding over the broadcast for 14 seasons. As the level-headed arbiter of Divorce Court, Toler was frequently seen providing counsel, words of wisdom, and trying to talk sense into the show's often outrageous couples. She used her vehement expression, emphasis, and strident vocal timbre to deliver her points.
In 2007, while hosting Divorce Court, she expanded her television presence by hosting the prime time television show and MyNetworkTV's Decision House, a couples therapy program. Judge Lynn Toler to Host MyNetworkTV's "Decision House", Broadcasting & Cable, July 13, 2007 In 2008 and 2009, Toler was a regular contributor on News and Notes, a weekly news show on NPR (NPR).
Toler departed Divorce Court after 14 years, announced publicly in March 2020. During an October 19, 2021, interview on Bailiff Byrd's Bonding with Byrd web series, Toler elaborated on details of her Divorce Court resignation, citing a list of dissatisfactions she had with production. Among them, Toler recounted efforts made by production to move the program into a more farce, comedy direction following the popularity of her "Rolling Ray" Divorce Court case. Toler has also cited various other objections she had during her final season, such as the show's relocation from Los Angeles to Atlanta and a vastly altered, simulated "courtroom" set design that led to her having physical discomfort while ruling on cases. During the Bonding with Byrd interview, Toler also cited regular altercations with the Divorce Court crew, thus fueling her decision to resign from the program. Still, she has expressed grace for the opportunity to preside over the court show, which has since been presided over by Faith Jenkins (2020–2022) and Star Jones (2022–).
During her interview with Byrd, Toler added that while she didn't miss the show, as she had chosen to leave, she did miss the show in the form it was presented in prior to her final season.
In May 2023, streaming service Allblk announced a deal with Toler where she would write and executive produce the drama Judge Me Not. The show was loosely based on her life, focusing on a Black female judge who joins an Atlanta municipal court after being elected by six votes.
In 2009, her second book, Put it In Writing (co-authored with Deborah Hutchison), was published. This book contains agreements for use in common but uncomfortable situations between family and friends, such as lending money, and grown children returning home.
Judge Toler is also author of Making Marriage Work and Dear Sonali, Letters to the Daughter I Never had.
Though identifying as a political Independent since 2017, and having once served as an Ohio judge as a Republican, Toler has donated exclusively to candidates aligned with the Democratic Party including Jaime Harrison, Amy McGrath, and President Joe Biden.
|
|
