Harry Anderson
{{Short description|American actor, comedian, and magician (1952–2018)}}
{{Other people}}
{{Use American English|date = October 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Harry Anderson
| image = Harry Anderson.jpg
| caption = Anderson at the 1988 Emmy Awards
| birthname = Harry Laverne Anderson
| birth_date = {{birth date|1952|10|14}}
| birth_place = Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2018|04|16|1952|10|14}}
| death_place = Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.
| alma_mater = Fullerton College
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Actor
- comedian
- magician}}
| yearsactive = 1978–2014
| spouse = {{Unbulleted list|{{marriage|Leslie Pollack|1977|1999|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Elizabeth Morgan|2000}}}}
| children = 2
}}
Harry Laverne Anderson (October 14, 1952 – April 16, 2018) was an American actor, comedian and magician. He is best known for his role as Judge Harry Stone on the NBC sitcom Night Court (1984–1992). He later played Dave Barry on the CBS sitcom Dave's World (1993–1997).
In addition to eight appearances on Saturday Night Live between 1981 and 1985, Anderson had a recurring guest role as con man Harry "The Hat" Gittes on Cheers (1982–1993). He toured extensively as a magician, and did several magic/comedy shows for broadcast, including Harry Anderson's Sideshow (1987). He played Richie Tozier in the 1990 miniseries It, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name.
Early life
Anderson was born October 14, 1952, in Newport, Rhode Island.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/tv/harry-anderson-magician-star-night-court-dies-65-n866526|title=Harry Anderson, magician and star of 'Night Court,' dies at 65|publisher=NBC News|date=April 16, 2018|access-date=April 16, 2018}} He spent much of his youth performing magic on the streets of Chicago, New York, St. Louis and New Orleans before landing in California at the age of 16.{{cite news |last=Salam |first=Maya |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/16/obituaries/harry-anderson-dead-night-court.html |title=Harry Anderson, 65, 'Night Court' Actor Who Bottled Magic Onscreen and Off, Dies |work=The New York Times |date=2018-04-16 |access-date=2018-05-24 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/04/16/night-court-star-john-larroquette-heartsick-stars-tribute-harry-anderson/523019002/|title='Night Court' star John Larroquette is 'heartsick' over Harry Anderson; stars pay tribute|work=USA Today|date=April 16, 2018|access-date=April 16, 2018}} After moving to Los Angeles, he joined the Dante Magic Club and worked as a street magician in San Francisco when he was 17.Shanely, Patric (April 16, 2018). [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/harry-anderson-dead-night-court-actor-was-65-1103243 "'Night Court' Actor Harry Anderson Dies at 65"]. The Hollywood Reporter. He attended Buena Park High School before graduating from North Hollywood High School in 1970 as class valedictorian.[https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/3778%7C0/Harry-Anderson#biography "Harry Anderson: Biography"]. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved April 16, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2016/02/26/arts-snapshot-buena-park-high-school/|title=Arts snapshot: Buena Park High School|work=The Orange County Register|date=February 26, 2016|access-date= February 26, 2016}} After high school, he attended Fullerton College.{{Cite web|title=Fullerton College Centennial Celebration {{!}} Did You Know?|url=http://fullertoncollegecentennial.com/history/did-you-know.html|access-date=2020-11-06|website=fullertoncollegecentennial.com}}{{Cite web|date=1991-10-27|title=Orange Country Community Colleges|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-10-27-me-1103-story.html|access-date=2020-11-06|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}} From 1971 to 1976, he lived in Ashland, Oregon, performing magic and working with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.{{cite web|url=http://www.mailtribune.com/news/20180418/ashland-magician-harry-anderson-went-on-to-tv-success|access-date=2008-04-21|title=Ashland magician Harry Anderson went on to TV success|author=John Darling|work=Mail Tribune|date=April 18, 2018|archive-date=April 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419062604/http://www.mailtribune.com/news/20180418/ashland-magician-harry-anderson-went-on-to-tv-success|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last1=Hill|first1=David|title=Remembering Harry the Hat: A Magician Hiding in Plain Sight|url=https://www.theringer.com/tv/2018/4/17/17248358/harry-anderson-obituary-night-court-magic|website=The Ringer|date=April 17, 2018 |access-date=2018-04-22}}
Career
Anderson's many appearances on Saturday Night Live during the show's seventh, eighth, and ninth seasons, as well as hosting an episode on the show's tenth season, led to his role as Harry "The Hat" Gittes on several seasons of the television sitcom Cheers, and eventually as Judge Harry Stone on the sitcom Night Court. He went on to appear in other television specials and shows, including 12 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
As a magician, Anderson toured extensively and performed in comedy/magic shows for clubs and broadcast, including Harry Anderson's Sideshow in 1987. In 1990, he starred in the television adaptation of Stephen King's It as the adult Richie Tozier.{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/tv/news/back-to-derry-an-oral-history-of-stephen-kings-153351801.html|publisher=Yahoo!|title=Back to Derry: An Oral History of 'Stephen King's It'|first=Ethan|last=Alter|date=November 17, 2015|access-date=December 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330041051/https://www.yahoo.com/tv/news/back-to-derry-an-oral-history-of-stephen-kings-153351801.html|archive-date=March 30, 2017}} From 1993 to 1997, he starred in the television sitcom Dave's World, based loosely on the life and columns of humorist Dave Barry.{{Cite web |last=Meltzer |first=Matt |url=http://www.miamibeach411.com/news/index.php?/news/comments/davebarry-tv/ |title=Dave's World: Miami Herald Columnist Dave Barry Goes TV |publisher=MiamiBeach411.com |date=July 29, 2007}}
File:Harry Anderson and guest.jpg, September 1987]]
Together with longtime friend Turk Pipkin, Anderson wrote a book called Games You Can't Lose: A Guide for Suckers, a collection of gags, cons, tricks and scams. First published in 1989 ({{ISBN|978-1-58080-086-0}}, 2001 reprint), it also contains a survey of "Games You Can't Win" told from an insider's perspective.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/harry-anderson-dead-night-court_us_5ad55dc8e4b016a07e9fc0b8|title=Harry Anderson, Magician-Turned-Actor Who Starred In 'Night Court,' Dead At 65|work=HuffPost|date=April 16, 2018|access-date=April 16, 2018}} He appeared with Criss Angel in a TV special called The Science of Magic, later released on DVD.[https://www.amazon.com/Science-Magic-Harry-Anderson/dp/B00004REEL The Science of Magic]. Amazon.com
In 2000, Anderson hosted the pilot for a potential revival of the panel game show What's My Line? for CBS primetime.
He moved from Pasadena, California, to New Orleans in 2002. In 2002, he and his second wife, Elizabeth, whom he met in New Orleans while she was bartending,{{cite journal| title= Hocus Focus: Sayonara, Sitcoms. Harry Anderson, a Magician at Heart, Happily Hawks Mumbo Jumbo in the Land of Gumbo| volume= 58 | number= 17 | url= http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20138298,00.html |journal= People| date= October 21, 2002| access-date= August 23, 2016}} opened a small shop in the French Quarter named "Spade & Archer Curiosities by Appointment" (later named "Sideshow"),{{cite web| url=http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/8228|title=New Orleans, Louisiana: Feejee Mermaid, Animal Freaks (Closed)| website= RoadsideAmerica.com |date=January 24, 2007|access-date=February 2, 2010}} selling various "magic, curiosities, and apocrypha".
In 2005, Anderson opened a nightclub in the French Quarter, Oswald's Speakeasy, at 1331 Decatur Street at the corner of Esplanade Avenue.{{cite web|url=http://frenchquarter.com/nightlife/HarryAnderson.php|title=Harry Anderson's Oswald's Speakeasy and Sideshow|website=FrenchQuarter.com|access-date=February 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316141633/http://frenchquarter.com/nightlife/HarryAnderson.php|archive-date=March 16, 2010|url-status=live}} He performed a one-man show there called Wise Guy.{{cite web|url=http://www.offbeat.com/2005/09/01/harry-anderson-in-wise-guy-oswalds-speakeasy| title= Harry Anderson in Wise Guy, Oswald's Speakeasy, August 3, 2005| website=offBeat.com |date=September 1, 2005|access-date=February 2, 2010}}
Anderson appeared in Hexing a Hurricane, a documentary about the first six months in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He and his wife sold Oswald's Speakeasy in October 2006. He continued to present his evening show Wise Guy, originally developed for his theater in New Orleans.
In November 2008, Anderson played himself on an episode of 30 Rock, along with fellow former Night Court cast members Markie Post and Charles Robinson.{{cite news|first=Robert|last=Canning|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/930/930199p1.html|title=30 Rock: "The One With the Cast of Night Court" Review|access-date=March 18, 2010|date=November 14, 2008|publisher=IGN TV}}
In his final years, Anderson appeared in television comedy series such as Comedy Bang! Bang! (2013) and Gotham Comedy Live (2014). His final film portrayal was as Professor Kaman in the 2014 Christian drama film A Matter of Faith.
Personal life
Anderson was a longtime fan of singer Mel Tormé, and his character Judge Stone on Night Court was also a Tormé fan; the singer appeared on the sitcom six times.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/harry-anderson-night-court-dead-at-65-1202754949/|title=Harry Anderson, 'Night Court' Star, Dies at 65|work=Variety|date=April 16, 2018|access-date=April 16, 2018}} Night Court creator Reinhold Weege said that Anderson and his character both being Tormé fans was completely coincidental.{{cite interview |first= Reinhold |last= Weege| title= DVD Extras| work= Night Court: The Complete First Season| publisher=Warner Bros. Home Video}} Anderson was among those who delivered eulogies at the singer's funeral in 1999.{{cite news| url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jun-08-mn-45301-story.html| work= Los Angeles Times| title= Services Today for Mel Torme| date= June 8, 1999| access-date= August 23, 2016}}
Anderson was married twice.{{Cite book|title=Vaudeville, old & new : an encyclopedia of variety performers in America|url=https://archive.org/details/vaudevilleoldnew00cull|url-access=limited|last=Cullen|first=Frank|publisher=Routledge|others=Hackman, Florence, McNeilly, Donald|year=2007|isbn=978-0415938532|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/vaudevilleoldnew00cull/page/n71 25]|oclc=62430748}} In 1977, he married Leslie Pollack (b. 1953); they had two children, a daughter, Eva Fay Anderson, and a son, Dashiell Anderson, before divorcing in 1999.{{Cite web|last=Balogun|first=Oyin|date=2019-11-24|title=Meet 'Night Court' Star Harry Anderson's Two Beautiful Grownup Kids|url=https://news.amomama.com/180741-late-night-court-star-harry-andersons-tw.html|access-date=2021-09-10|website=news.amomama.com|language=en}} In 2000, he married Elizabeth Morgan (b. 1973). In 2006, Anderson and his wife moved from New Orleans to Asheville, North Carolina.{{cite news| url= https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/30/arts/television/30harr.html |title= For Harry Anderson, the New Orleans Magic Is Gone|first= John| last= Schwartz |work= The New York Times| date= August 30, 2006| access-date= August 23, 2016}}
Death
In late January 2018, Anderson had a bout of influenza and subsequently suffered several strokes. On April 16, 2018, at age 65, he died in his sleep of a stroke due to influenza and heart disease at his home in Asheville, North Carolina.{{cite web|url=http://tmz.vo.llnwd.net/o28/newsdesk/tmz_documents/harry-anderson-death-certificate_Redacted.pdf|title=Harry Anderson's Death Certificate|publisher=TMZ|date=April 24, 2018|access-date=April 24, 2018|archive-date=April 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425115539/http://tmz.vo.llnwd.net/o28/newsdesk/tmz_documents/harry-anderson-death-certificate_Redacted.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/night-court-star-harry-anderson-65-found-dead-in-home/2018/04/16/b035f816-41da-11e8-b2dc-b0a403e4720a_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417042821/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/night-court-star-harry-anderson-65-found-dead-in-home/2018/04/16/b035f816-41da-11e8-b2dc-b0a403e4720a_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 17, 2018|title='Night Court' Star, Harry Anderson, Dead at 65|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 16, 2018|access-date=April 16, 2018}}
His body was cremated.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}
Filmography
=Film=
=Television=
=Video games=
| class = "wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Nightmare Ned | Graveyard Shadow Creature / Grampa Ted Needlemeyer | Voice |
| class="wikitable"
|+Books, magazines, and publications !Year !Title !Info !ISBN !Source |
| 1982
|Wenii: The Intentional Confusers' Magazine |A spoof on the magic magazine | | |
| 1989
|Harry Anderson's Games You Can't Lose: A Guide for Suckers | |{{ISBN|978-0671647278}} | |
| 1993
|Harry Anderson: Wise Guy from the Street to the Screen | |{{ISBN|978-0915181254}} | |
| 2001
|Games You Can't Lose: A Guide for Suckers | |{{ISBN|978-1580800860}} | |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|id=0026789}}
{{Academy of Magical Arts Magician of the Year |state=autocollapse}}
{{Academy of Magical Arts Lecturer of the Year}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Harry}}
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:American street performers
Category:American male comedians
Category:American male television actors
Category:Male actors from New Orleans
Category:Male actors from Rhode Island
Category:Entertainers from Newport, Rhode Island
Category:20th-century American comedians
Category:North Hollywood High School alumni
Category:Deaths from influenza in the United States
Category:Infectious disease deaths in North Carolina
Category:Academy of Magical Arts Lecturer of the Year winners
Category:Academy of Magical Arts Magician of the Year winners