EA
Ernest Anderson
Actor
Born August 25, 1915Died March 5, 2011 (95 years)
Ernest Anderson was born in Lynn MA and earned his high school diploma in Washington D.C. at Dunbar High School, formerly named The Preparatory High School for Colored Youth. Founded in 1891, it was America's first public high school for black students. He earned his bachelor's degree at Northwestern University's School of Drama and Speech. He moved to Hollywood and was working in the service department when Bette Davis arranged for him to interview for the role of Perry Clay in the film "In This Our Life" (1942). Mr. Anderson persuaded the director, John Huston, to change the racist dialog of his character typical of Hollywood in that era, to one of dignified intelligence and emotion. After serving his country in WWII, he returned to Warner Brothers where he continued to humanize the roles of America's black performers. He remained active in film until the late 1960's. He died in DeLand, Florida, on March 5, 2011.
Filmography
| 1978 | Last of the Good Guys · as Uncle Stan |
| 1976 | Rich Man, Poor Man (TV Series) · as Porter |
| 1971 | Cannon (TV Series) · as Red Cap |
| 1970 | Tick, Tick, Tick · as Homer |
| 1968 | The Legend of Lylah Clare · as Hot Dog Man (uncredited) |
| 1967 | Ironside (TV Series) · as Butler |
| 1967 | Hotel · as Sol, Roomservice Waiter |
| 1965 | Days of our Lives (TV Series) · as Mr. Russell |
| 1965 | Laredo (TV Series) · as The Bartender |
| 1965 | Run for Your Life (TV Series) · as The Jury Foreman |
| 1963 | Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre (TV Series) · as Freddie Johnson |
| 1963 | The Bill Dana Show (TV Series) · as The Bailiff |
| 1962 | What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? · as Ernie |
| 1961 | Ben Casey (TV Series) · as Matty Phipps |
| 1960 | My Three Sons (TV Series) · as Sergeant Foley |
| 1959 | North by Northwest · as Porter On Twentieth Century Ltd. (uncredited) |
| 1955 | The Millionaire (TV Series) · as J. B. - League Club Manager |
| 1953 | The Band Wagon · as Train Porter |
| 1953 | The Mississippi Gambler · as Bellhop |
| 1953 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) · as Sergeant Cullen |
| 1952 | The Iron Mistress · as Riverboat Cabin Boy |
| 1952 | Four Star Playhouse (TV Series) · as George |
| 1952 | Three for Bedroom C · as Fred Johnson |
| 1951 | The Well · as Ralph Crawford |
| 1951 | I Was a Communist for the F.B.I. · as Black Man |
| 1950 | Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone · as Eddie |
| 1950 | No Way Out · as School Teacher (uncredited) |
| 1950 | Buccaneer's Girl · as Footman |
| 1950 | Backfire · as James - Party Servant 9 (uncredited) |
| 1949 | |
| 1947 | The Voice of the Turtle · as Second Elevator Operator |
| 1947 | Riffraff · as Wong - Houseboy (uncredited) |
| 1947 | Sport of Kings · as Alf |
| 1946 | Wake Up and Dream · as Black Man |
| 1946 | Without Reservations · as Dining Car Waiter (uncredited) |
| 1946 | The Hoodlum Saint · as Sam - Elevator Operator |
| 1945 | |
| 1943 | Princess O'Rourke · as Messenger (uncredited) |
| 1942 | The Palm Beach Story · as Club Car Steward |
| 1942 | Yankee Doodle Dandy · as George M. Cohan's Valet |
| 1942 | In This Our Life · as Parry Clay |