en:Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
{{short description|American actor and comedian (1905–1977)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2012}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
| image = Eddie anderson 1947.JPG
| caption = Anderson c. 1947
| birth_name = Edmund Lincoln Anderson
| birth_date = {{birth date|1905|9|18}}
| birth_place = Oakland, California, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1977|2|28|1905|9|18}}
| death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| resting_place = Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, California
| other_names = Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
Rochester
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|comedian}}
| years_active = 1919–1973
| known_for = Rochester Van Jones on The Jack Benny Program
| spouse = {{plainlist|
- {{marriage|Mamie Wiggins Nelson|1939|1954|end=died}}
- {{marriage|Eva Simon|1956|1973|end=divorced}}
}}
| children = 4
| signature = 225px
}}
Edmund Lincoln Anderson (September 18, 1905 – February 28, 1977) was an American actor and comedian. To a generation of early radio and television comedy audiences, he was known as "Rochester".
Anderson entered show business as a teenager on the vaudeville circuit. In the early 1930s, he transitioned into films and radio. In 1937, he began his role of Rochester van Jones, usually known simply as Rochester, the valet of Jack Benny on the NBC radio show The Jack Benny Program. Anderson became the first African American to have a regular role on a nationwide radio program. When the series moved to CBS television in 1950, Anderson continued in the role until the series ended in 1965.
After the series ended, Anderson remained active with guest-starring roles on television and voice work in animated series. He was also an avid horse-racing fan who owned several race horses and worked as a horse trainer at the Hollywood Park Racetrack. He was married twice and had four children. He died of heart disease in February 1977 at the age of 71.
Early life
Anderson was born in Oakland, California. His father, "Big Ed" Anderson, was a minstrel performer, while his mother Ella Mae had been a tightrope walker until her career was ended by a fall.{{cite news |date=March 1, 1977 |title=Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, 71, Dies |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bHE0AAAAIBAJ&pg=5993,15451&dq=eddie+anderson&hl=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185709/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bHE0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=IsoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5993%2C15451&dq=eddie+anderson&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=July 2, 2025 |work=Daytona Beach Morning Journal}}Peterson, p. 7. He described himself as a descendant of slaves who were able to leave the South during the Civil War through the Underground Railroad.{{cite news |date=March 1, 1977 |title='Rochester' of Jack Benny Show Dies Of Heart Attack |work=Ludington Daily News |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nMpOAAAAIBAJ&pg=3304,4249694&dq=eddie+anderson&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185622/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nMpOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KEoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3304%2C4249694&dq=eddie+anderson&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}} At the age of 10, Anderson and his family moved from Oakland to San Francisco. He left school when he was 14 to work as an errand boy to help his family.{{cite book |author=Brown, Earl |url=https://archive.org/stream/modernscreen2223unse#page/n1123/mode/2up |title=Yeah, Man Friday |date=November 1941 |publisher=Modern Screen |pages=38, 39, 82, 83 |access-date=June 7, 2014}}
Stagestruck at an early age, he spent much of his free time waiting at stage doors and playing on street corners with his friend and brother, Cornelius. Anderson briefly tried being a jockey, but had to abandon it when he became too heavy.Sampson, p. 1373. Anderson started in show business as part of an all-African-American revue at the age of 14; he had previously won an amateur contest at a vaudeville theater in San Francisco. Anderson joined the cast of Struttin' Along in 1923 and was part of Steppin' High both as a dancer and as one of the Three Black Aces with his brother Cornelius in 1924. He later worked in vaudeville with Cornelius. Anderson began adding comedy to his song-and-dance act in 1926. During one of his vaudeville tours to the East Coast, Anderson first met Jack Benny, but they only exchanged greetings and shook hands.
Anderson's vocal cords were ruptured when he was a youngster selling newspapers in San Francisco, a job that required loud shouting. The permanent damage left him with his trademark gravelly voice.{{cite news |date=March 1, 1977 |title=Eddie Anderson Dead at Age 71 |work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a_EcAAAAIBAJ&pg=2388,9399&dq=eddie+anderson&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a_EcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S2cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2388%2C9399&dq=eddie+anderson&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}} Anderson started in show business as a dancer, but it was his uniquely recognizable voice that brought him to stardom.Smith, p. 16.Gates, p. 7.
Career
=''The Jack Benny Program''=
File:Rochester & camel.jpg and Eddie Anderson disembark from a train in Los Angeles in 1943 with a camel.]]
Anderson's first appearance on The Jack Benny Program was on March 28, 1937.{{cite book |author=Baskette, Kirtley |url=https://archive.org/stream/radiotelevisionm00macf#page/n281/mode/2up |title=Rochester Van Jones Rides High |date=January 1940 |publisher=Radio and Television Mirror |pages=31, 49 |access-date=May 7, 2014}}{{cite web |title=Rochester's First Radio Appearance |url=http://www.kensterner.com/jackbenny/jack.19xx.xx.xx_Eddie_Anderson%27s_First_Appearance.mp3 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212213528/http://www.kensterner.com/jackbenny/jack.19xx.xx.xx_Eddie_Anderson%27s_First_Appearance.mp3 |archive-date=December 12, 2013 |access-date=September 17, 2010 |publisher=kensterner.com}} (Windows Media Player) He was originally hired to play the one-time role of a redcap for a storyline in which the show traveled from Chicago to California by train, which coincided with the show's actual return to NBC's Radio City West in Hollywood after a brief stint in New York. Anderson, who was working as a comedian in Los Angeles, won the role after an audition.
Five weeks after Anderson's first appearance on the Benny program, he was called for another role on the show, this time as a waiter in a restaurant serving the cast. Several weeks later, Anderson was called back once again for the part of a man who had a financial disagreement with Benny.Boskin, pp. 177–178.
After the show received a large amount of mail about Anderson's appearances, Benny invited him to join the cast as his butler and valet Rochester van Jones, making him the first African American with a regular role on a nationwide radio program.Smith, pp. 16–17. Anderson first appeared as Rochester on the program of June 20, 1937.Leff, Laura: 39 Forever – Second Edition. Volume 1: Radio May 1932 – May 1942 (International Jack Benny Fan Club, 2004), p. 284.File:Jack Benny group photo.jpg, Phil Harris, Mary Livingstone, Jack Benny, Don Wilson and Mel Blanc]]
Neither Benny nor Anderson could recall the origin of the name of Rochester for the character. Anderson always credited Benny, saying that the name was copyrighted and that Benny later sold the rights to him for a dollar.{{cite news |author=Humphrey, Hal |date=November 10, 1968 |title=Rochester Is Back |work=The Victoria Advocate |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7gVaAAAAIBAJ&pg=1325,1426677&dq=rochester+train+benny&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185611/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7gVaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SUsNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1325%2C1426677&dq=rochester+train+benny&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}} Several episodes offered origin stories for Rochester, including an Amos 'n' Andy backstory.{{cite web |date=March 11, 1945 |title=How Jack Found Rochester |url=http://www.otrsite.com/logs/logj1007.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330153945/http://otrsite.com/logs/logj1007.htm |archive-date=March 30, 2013 |access-date=September 6, 2013 |publisher=NBC Radio}} A later television show explained that Benny met Rochester on a railroad train, with Benny responsible for Rochester being fired and then hiring him as a valet.{{cite web |date=January 29, 1956 |title=How Jack Met Rochester |url=http://ctva.biz/US/Comedy/JB/JackBennyProgram_06_%281955-56%29.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003190534/http://ctva.biz/US/Comedy/JB/JackBennyProgram_06_(1955-56).htm |archive-date=October 3, 2013 |access-date=September 6, 2013 |publisher=CBS Television}}
Benny became frustrated with Anderson's habitual tardiness and fined him $50 each time that he arrived late at the studio.Bogle 2009, "Man About Town". Benny often asked cast members to check on Anderson, who frequently lost track of time, just before travel dates to ensure that he was ready, and occasionally the cast was forced to leave Anderson behind.{{cite news |date=February 25, 1945 |title=Rochester 'Windy' Guy |work=The Pittsburgh Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GiEbAAAAIBAJ&pg=5093,3352556&dq=rochester+train+benny&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185611/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GiEbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qEwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5093%2C3352556&dq=rochester+train+benny&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}} In one incident, Anderson sped to the Pasadena train station with an LAPD motorcycle squad escort in order to catch his train.
==Popularity==
The Rochester character became immensely popular. In 1940, a riot ensued when Anderson's arrival at a Harvard University event was delayed by a prank by students from the rival Massachusetts Institute of Technology.{{cite news |date=May 6, 1940 |title=Riot Over Rochester |work=Prescott Evening Journal |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FaENAAAAIBAJ&pg=6458,5649314&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185625/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FaENAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-U4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6458%2C5649314&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}}{{cite news |date=May 11, 1940 |title=Rochester 'Kidnapped' On Way to Harvard |work=The Afro American |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TOZfAAAAIBAJ&pg=3783,2536048&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185613/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TOZfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FQMGAAAAIBAJ&pg=3783%2C2536048&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}} Especially after World War II, Rochester was second only to Benny in popularity and frequently received the most enthusiastic applause.{{cite news |date=March 1, 1977 |title=Benny's 'Rochester' Dies at 71 |work=The Pittsburgh Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xVQdAAAAIBAJ&pg=5976,54402&dq=eddie+anderson&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185720/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xVQdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IVcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5976%2C54402&dq=eddie+anderson&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}} Although he was not normally involved in the opening minutes of the show, he began to surpass Mary Livingstone as Benny's main foil, especially as Livingstone's stage fright caused her to appear less frequently.
Benny's character and Rochester engaged in numerous running gags, often based on Rochester's attempts to evade work or to go to Central Avenue to drink or on Benny's business ventures or trademark frugality. In Rochester's early appearances, a running gag also involved his gambling habits, although this aspect of his character was considerably downplayed after World War II.
==Mayor of Central Avenue==
File:Central Avenue Mayor ticket 1940.jpg
Although Anderson was born and raised in the Oakland area, he came to the Los Angeles black community in the 1930s in search of film work. The people of the Central Avenue area would hold mock elections to name the "Mayor of Central Avenue," who had the right and the duty to advocate for the black community. In May 1940, Anderson launched a campaign for the post.Smith, pp. 18–19. From his headquarters at the Dunbar Hotel, Anderson conducted his campaign based mainly on real issues, such as advocacy for black military aviators. He took flying lessons and lectured with a Tuskegee Institute representative about the subject. Anderson won the election.
==Progress in race relations==
Anderson's role as a servant was common for black performers of that era, and the stereotyping of black characters had been standard practice in the entertainment business for many years, often in the form of minstrel shows in which white actors in blackface reinforced negative stereotypes. Benny had broadcast a radio minstrel show on November 1, 1936, with the cast performing in dialect but revisited the subject for a March 29, 1942, show that evinced a great deal of progress in race relations.Gates, p. 7.Boskin, pp. 175–187.{{cite web |year=1943 |title=Doc Benny's Minstrel Show |url=http://www.kensterner.com/jackbenny/jack.1942.03.29_Doc_Benny%27s_Minstrel_Show.mp3 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714200149/http://www.kensterner.com/jackbenny/jack.1942.03.29_Doc_Benny%27s_Minstrel_Show.mp3 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=September 17, 2010 |publisher=kensterner.com}} (Windows Media Player)
According to Benny's posthumous autobiography Sunday Nights at Seven, the amount of racial humor regarding Rochester lessened following World War II after the enormity of the Holocaust was revealed. Benny and his writers initiated a conscious effort to remove all stereotypical aspects from the Rochester character. When a rehashed 1940 script was used for a February 1950 show that included several black stereotypes, some listeners sent angry letters in protest.Fuller-Seeley, Kathryn H. (2017): Jack Benny and the Golden Age of American Radio Comedy. University of California Press. p. 179. {{ISBN|0520295056}}. Thereafter, Benny insisted that his writers guarantee that no racial jokes or references should be heard on his show. Benny often afforded key guest-star appearances to African American performers such as Louis Armstrong and the Ink Spots, and Benny made numerous personal appeals on his show asking listeners to reject racism in favor of fraternity and peaceful racial relations.{{cite web |year=1945 |title=Jack Benny |url=http://www.kensterner.com/jackbenny/JACK.1945.12.30_XXX.MP3 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713143523/http://www.kensterner.com/jackbenny/JACK.1945.12.30_XXX.MP3 |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |access-date=September 17, 2010 |publisher=kensterner.com}} (Windows Media Player)
The relationship between Rochester and Benny became more complex and familiar as the popularity of Rochester's character grew, with Rochester's role becoming less stereotypical and subservient. However, as a butler, the character remained subservient to the entire cast and was always called Rochester, but he addressed the other characters with formal titles.Boskin, pp. 175–187.Smith, p. 17. Although some of the humor remained stereotypical, the racial element of the jokes would emanate from Rochester only.Gates, p. 7.
During World War II, Benny toured with his show, but Anderson did not participate because discrimination in the armed forces would have required separate living quarters. However, during performances staged before military audiences at bases and military hospitals, Rochester routinely drew enthusiastic applause.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}} In 1943, when Benny brought his show to Canada to perform for Canadian forces, Anderson and his wife received a warm welcome.{{cite news |date=February 8, 1943 |title=Army Band to Hail Jack Benny; Forum Show for Services Only |work=The Montreal Gazette |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A4AtAAAAIBAJ&pg=5379,6406675&dq=rochester+benny&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185613/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A4AtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KZkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5379%2C6406675&dq=rochester+benny&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}}
Benny recounted an incident in his autobiography in which he rebuked an American soldier who had expressed bigotry toward Anderson. Benny was also reported to have threatened to move his entire company from a Saint Joseph, Missouri, hotel that denied lodging to Anderson. The hotel relented and allowed Anderson to remain as a guest.{{cite news |date=March 4, 1977 |title=He Broke the Racial Bar |work=St. Joseph News-Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=F_JbAAAAIBAJ&pg=806,561294&dq=eddie+anderson&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185649/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=F_JbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=01MNAAAAIBAJ&pg=806%2C561294&dq=eddie+anderson&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}} A similar incident occurred in New York, where a hotel manager attempted to relocate Anderson after a couple from the South complained about staying in the same hotel with him. Benny replied by removing his entire cast and crew of 44 from the hotel in a show of solidarity with Anderson.Gerald Nachman, "The Anticomedian".{{full citation needed|date=December 2022}}File:Eddie anderson john forsythe 1962.JPG how Benny pinches a penny on Bachelor Father, 1962.]]
Among the most highly paid performers of his time, Anderson invested wisely and became wealthy. Until the 1950s, Anderson was the highest paid African American actor, earning an annual salary of $100,000.Gates, p. 7. In 1962, Anderson reached Ebony magazine's list of the 100 wealthiest African Americans.{{cite magazine |date=May 1962 |title=The 100 Richest Negros |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b9cDAAAAMBAJ&q=eddie+anderson+intitle%3Aebony&pg=PA135 |url-status=live |magazine=Ebony |volume=17 |issue=7 |page=135 |issn=0012-9011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727215349/http://books.google.com/books?id=b9cDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA135&dq=eddie+anderson+intitle:ebony&hl=en&ei=x3UoTo2PEojMsQLUt6k7&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CD8Q6AEwBTgo#v=onepage&q=eddie%20anderson%20intitle%3Aebony&f=false |archive-date=July 27, 2014 |access-date=September 15, 2016}} Despite this success, he was so strongly identified with the Rochester role that many mistakenly believed that he was Benny's actual valet. Anderson's frequent visits to Benny's home may have helped perpetuate the myth, as Benny held the first rehearsal each week at his house in Beverly Hills. One listener, after hearing Rochester's jokes about his low salary, sent Benny a scolding letter and then sent another to Anderson urging him to sue Benny.
When Benny brought his show to television in 1950, Anderson remained part of the cast until the show left the air after the 1964–1965 season.{{cite magazine |date=November 8, 1951 |title=Rochester on New TV Show |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I0MDAAAAMBAJ&q=eddie+anderson+intitle%3Ajet&pg=PA60 |url-status=live |magazine=Jet |volume=1 |issue=2 |page=60 |issn=0021-5996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185633/https://books.google.com/books?id=I0MDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60&dq=eddie+anderson+intitle%3Ajet&hl=en&ei=-3QoTu3WA-ngsQL9kq07&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEMQ6AEwBjiCAQ#v=onepage&q=eddie%20anderson%20intitle%3Ajet&f=false |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=September 15, 2016}}{{cite news |date=November 12, 1968 |title='Rochester', Jack Benny Reunited |publisher=Washington Afro-American |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9ZolAAAAIBAJ&pg=3750,5093562&dq=rochester+benny&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185639/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9ZolAAAAIBAJ&sjid=s_QFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3750%2C5093562&dq=rochester+benny&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}} Anderson appeared as Rochester in a 1953 episode of The Milton Berle Show{{cite news |author=Rea, E. B. |date=March 24, 1953 |title=Encores and Echoes |publisher=Washington Afro-American |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gjsmAAAAIBAJ&pg=2137,5186537&dq=rochester+benny&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185644/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gjsmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rP4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2137%2C5186537&dq=rochester+benny&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}} and a 1962 episode of Bachelor Father.{{cite web |date=January 30, 1962 |title=Pinch That Penny |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0517786/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331185908/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0517786/ |archive-date=March 31, 2016 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |publisher=IMDb}}
During a February 1958 taping of a Shower of Stars special to celebrate Benny's "40th birthday," Anderson suffered a mild heart attack. A Life magazine photo after the incident showed Benny's concern for Anderson.{{cite magazine |date=February 24, 1958 |title=Sad event before a party and a lonely jokester |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MFYEAAAAMBAJ&q=eddie+anderson&pg=PA108 |url-status=live |magazine=Life |volume=44 |issue=8 |page=108 |issn=0024-3019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728114341/http://books.google.com/books?id=MFYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA108&dq=eddie+anderson&hl=en&ei=LNQnTtjqIe7MsQLHmKU7&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAzigAQ#v=onepage&q=eddie%20anderson&f=false |archive-date=July 28, 2014 |access-date=September 15, 2016}} After Benny's show left the airwaves, it was four years before the two men worked together again, but they remained in contact with each other. Anderson said, "We always exchange Christmas gifts and he's not as stingy as he pretends to be."
Anderson appeared as Rochester in Benny's 1968 special Jack Benny's Bag. The following year, he appeared in the special Jack Benny's New Look.
Upon Benny's death in 1974, Anderson tearfully spoke of Benny with admiration and respect.Pacheco, pp. 94–96.{{cite news |date=December 28, 1974 |title=Shock and Sadness Mark Benny's Death |work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=x_wjAAAAIBAJ&pg=1178,4829983&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185708/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=x_wjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=82YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1178%2C4829983&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}}
=Films=
Anderson's film career began with George Cukor's What Price Hollywood? (1932) as a butler, and he appeared in many Hollywood films through the 1930s and 1940s. Anderson appeared on screen with Benny for the first time in Man About Town (1939). They appeared in several other feature films, including Buck Benny Rides Again (1940).
In addition to his role with Benny, Anderson appeared in more than 60 films including The Green Pastures (1936) as Noah, Jezebel (1938) as Gros Bat, Capra's You Can't Take It with You (1938) as Donald and Gone with the Wind (1939) as Uncle Peter.Pacheco, pp. 94–96.{{cite web |title=Eddie Anderson Photo Still-Uncle Peter |url=http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/web/gwtw/wardrobe/makeup/mustills/eddieanderson.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926121347/http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/web/gwtw/wardrobe/makeup/mustills/eddieanderson.html |archive-date=September 26, 2012 |access-date=August 21, 2011 |publisher=Harry Ransom Center – University of Texas |df=mdy}} He reprised his Rochester role in Topper Returns (1941). He had a rare leading role in the all-star black Hollywood musical Cabin in the Sky (1943) as Joseph 'Little Joe' Jackson. He also starred in Brewster's Millions (1945), which was banned in some Southern areas. For example, censors in Memphis said that Anderson "has an important role and has too familiar a way about him" and lamented that the film "presents too much social equality and racial mixture."{{cite magazine |date=April 16, 1945 |title=Entertainment Proposition |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,775551,00.html |url-status=dead |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221221918/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,775551,00.html |archive-date=December 21, 2011 |access-date=July 23, 2011}} (subscription required).
Anderson, Benny and the remaining cast members of The Jack Benny Program (Mary Livingstone, Don Wilson, and Mel Blanc) also provided their voices to the Warner Bros. cartoon The Mouse that Jack Built (1959). Anderson's last significant feature-film performance was as a taxi driver in Stanley Kramer's comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), in which Benny made a cameo appearance (although the two did not appear together). Anderson was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1975.Peterson, p. 7.
=Other performances=
File:Eddie Anderson Rochester dressing room visitors 1952.JPGAnderson appeared as a mystery guest on the television game show What's My Line? in 1952. As the panel was blindfolded, Dorothy Kilgallen's question "Are you brunette?" brought a roar of laughter from the audience, and Anderson laughed so hard that he was not able to reply to the question.{{cite magazine |date=December 11, 1952 |title=Question of the Week |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f7sDAAAAMBAJ&q=eddie+anderson+intitle%3Ajet&pg=PA31 |url-status=live |magazine=Jet |volume=7 |issue=7 |page=31 |issn=0021-5996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185647/https://books.google.com/books?id=f7sDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA31&dq=eddie+anderson+intitle%3Ajet&hl=en&ei=-3QoTu3WA-ngsQL9kq07&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAjiCAQ#v=onepage&q=eddie%20anderson%20intitle%3Ajet&f=false |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=September 15, 2016}} In 1957, Hallmark Hall of Fame presented The Green Pastures, affording Anderson the chance to reprise his film role as Noah on television, and the program was nominated for an Emmy Award.{{cite magazine |date=April 3, 1958 |title=NBC's 'Green Pastures' Nominated for Emmy Award |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=crcDAAAAMBAJ&q=eddie+anderson+intitle%3Ajet&pg=PA60 |url-status=live |magazine=Jet |volume=13 |issue=22 |page=60 |issn=0021-5996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185648/https://books.google.com/books?id=crcDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60&dq=eddie+anderson+intitle%3Ajet&hl=en&ei=vGgoTujRC-mssQKpq6k7&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CC8Q6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=eddie%20anderson%20intitle%3Ajet&f=false |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=September 15, 2016}}
Anderson also appeared on episodes of The Dick Powell Show, It Takes a Thief and Love, American Style.{{cite web |title=Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0026655/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705181517/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0026655/ |archive-date=July 5, 2011 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |publisher=IMDb}} In the early 1970s, Anderson provided the voice for cartoon character Bobby Joe Mason in Harlem Globetrotters and The New Scooby-Doo Movies. By 1972, he attempted a comeback with a nightclub act in Houston that led to a role in the Broadway revival of Good News, but he was forced to resign because of his failing health.{{cite news |author=Wilson, Earl |date=October 18, 1973 |title=It Happened Last Night |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s5tRAAAAIBAJ&pg=4457,2550068&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185651/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s5tRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-2wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4457%2C2550068&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}}
Other business ventures
Anderson opened a nightclub in the Central Avenue section of Los Angeles, but it did not survive long because of his excessive generosity with friends who frequented the club.
During World War II, Anderson was the owner of the Pacific Parachute Company, an African-American owned-and-operated business that made parachutes for the Army and Navy.{{cite magazine |date=June 15, 1942 |title=Lots More Negroes Are Needed In War Plants |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PFAEAAAAMBAJ&q=jack+benny+intitle%3Alife&pg=PA88 |url-status=live |magazine=Life |volume=12 |issue=24 |page=88 |issn=0024-3019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185654/https://books.google.com/books?id=PFAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA88&dq=jack+benny+intitle%3Alife&hl=en&ei=Is0lTv3vFMaPsQLp443uCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CEgQ6AEwCDi-AQ#v=onepage&q=jack%20benny%20intitle%3Alife&f=false |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=September 15, 2016}}{{cite news |date=March 27, 1942 |title=Unity Severs Race Barriers |work=The Norwalk Hour |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WU0pAAAAIBAJ&pg=4776,5633152&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185703/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WU0pAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jW0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4776%2C5633152&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}}{{cite news |date=March 28, 1942 |title=Colored-Managed War Plant Employs Girls of All Races |work=The Windsor Daily Star |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7Cs_AAAAIBAJ&pg=2706,1102344&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185720/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7Cs_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=eFAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2706%2C1102344&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}} He also managed boxer Billy Metcalfe in the 1940s.{{cite news |date=November 21, 1940 |title=Hudson's Foe Wised Up to His Style |work=San Jose News |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sVUlAAAAIBAJ&pg=3435,2065665&dq=rochester+benny&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185706/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sVUlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XasFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3435%2C2065665&dq=rochester+benny&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}}
Anderson had an astute business sense, and in 1948, he saw the value and potential of Las Vegas as an entertainment center. However, his idea to build and operate a black-friendly hotel and casino there failed when he could not attract enough investors. When he appeared at the opening of the racially integrated Moulin Rouge Hotel in 1955, Anderson expressed regret about his failed venture.{{cite magazine |date=June 16, 1955 |title=Talking About |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3rEDAAAAMBAJ&q=eddie+anderson+intitle%3Ajet&pg=PA47 |url-status=live |magazine=Jet |volume=8 |issue=6 |page=47 |issn=0021-5996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185708/https://books.google.com/books?id=3rEDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA47&dq=eddie+anderson+intitle%3Ajet&hl=en&ei=mGwoTrJ4hqawAuLNwTs&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CEsQ6AEwCDhu#v=onepage&q=eddie%20anderson%20intitle%3Ajet&f=false |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=September 15, 2016}}
Personal life
=Marriages and children=
On May 2, 1939, Anderson married Mamie (née Wiggins) Nelson of Georgia.Gates, p. 7.{{cite web |title=California, County Marriages, 1850–1952 |url=https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-29946-10593-84?cc=1804002&wc=M9MJ-QGV:432269764 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091552/https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-29946-10593-84?cc=1804002&wc=M9MJ-QGV:432269764 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=October 12, 2013 |publisher=FamilySearch}}{{cite web |title=United States Census, 1920 |url=https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MJDQ-NC4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304122357/https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MJDQ-NC4 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=12 October 2013 |website=FamilySearch}} Mamie died on August 5, 1954, at the age of 43 following two years of suffering with cancer. Her son Billy from a previous marriage played professional football for the Chicago Bears{{cite web |title=California, Birth Index, 1905–1995 |url=https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VL5Z-LNT |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231621/https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VL5Z-LNT |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=October 12, 2013 |publisher=FamilySearch}} and adopted Anderson's surname when his mother remarried.{{cite news |date=August 10, 1954 |title=Rochester's Wife Dies |work=Baltimore Afro-American |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_cwlAAAAIBAJ&pg=4226,9149&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185705/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_cwlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kfUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4226%2C9149&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}}{{cite news |date=August 6, 1954 |title=Wife of Jack Benny's 'Rochester' Dies |work=Reading Eagle |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dQgrAAAAIBAJ&pg=5437,2247262&dq=rochester+benny&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801045119/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dQgrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ppkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5437,2247262&dq=rochester+benny&hl=en |archive-date=August 1, 2016}}
Following Mamie's death, Anderson married Evangela "Eva" Simon on February 8, 1956, in Kingman, Arizona. The couple had three children: daughters Stephanie and Evangela Jr. ("Eva") and son Edmund Jr.{{cite magazine |date=February 6, 1958 |title=Second Child for Rochester |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=frcDAAAAMBAJ&q=eddie+anderson+intitle%3Ajet&pg=PA59 |url-status=live |magazine=Jet |volume=13 |issue=14 |page=59 |issn=0021-5996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107191920/http://books.google.com/books?id=frcDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA59&dq=eddie+anderson+intitle:jet&hl=en&ei=mGwoTrJ4hqawAuLNwTs&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEMQ6AEwBjhu#v=onepage&q=eddie%20anderson%20intitle%3Ajet&f=false |archive-date=January 7, 2014 |access-date=September 15, 2016}} When the couple divorced in 1973, Anderson retained custody of his minor son and daughter.{{cite magazine |date=June 7, 1973 |title=Unhappy Marital Differences |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o68DAAAAMBAJ&q=eddie+anderson+intitle%3Ajet&pg=PA40 |url-status=live |magazine=Jet |volume=44 |issue=11 |page=40 |issn=0021-5996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107172356/http://books.google.com/books?id=o68DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40&dq=eddie+anderson+intitle:jet&hl=en&ei=vGgoTujRC-mssQKpq6k7&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEMQ6AEwBjgK#v=onepage&q=eddie%20anderson%20intitle%3Ajet&f=false |archive-date=January 7, 2014 |access-date=September 15, 2016}}
= Home =
File:Eddie anderson home postcard.JPG
Like many African Americans in the entertainment industry, Anderson lived in the West Adams district of Los Angeles. In previous times, the district had been home to doctors, lawyers and railroad barons, but in the Depression era, the area had deteriorated, with many residents needing to sell their homes or rent rooms in them. By the 1940s, the black entertainment community began purchasing homes in the district, nicknaming it Sugar Hill. Some property owners reacted to their new neighbors by adding restrictive covenants to their deeds that either prohibited blacks from purchasing property or inhabiting property that had been purchased. The practice was declared illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1948.{{cite web |title=West Adams History |url=http://www.westadamsheightssugarhill.com/HistoricWestAdams.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720135640/http://www.westadamsheightssugarhill.com/HistoricWestAdams.html |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |access-date=July 22, 2011 |publisher=westadamsheightssugarhill.com}}
Anderson wanted to build a home designed by Paul Williams but he was limited in his choice of site by these restrictive covenants. As a result, his large and luxurious home with a swimming pool stands in an area of smaller, bungalow-style homes. The street was renamed after the Rochester character.
=Hobbies=
Anderson built model airplanes and racing cars, but also designed a life-size sportscar for himself in 1951. Anderson combined a Cadillac engine under the hood with a sleek, low-slung exterior to create a car that he exhibited at sportscar shows throughout the country.{{cite news |date=March 8, 1977 |title=A tribute to Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson |work=Washington Afro-American |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=voclAAAAIBAJ&pg=6465,989667&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185728/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=voclAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MPUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6465%2C989667&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}}{{cite magazine |date=June 1951 |title=Rochester Designs Own Speedster |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ndgDAAAAMBAJ&q=eddie+anderson&pg=PA93 |magazine=Popular Mechanics |volume=95 |issue=6 |page=93 |issn=0032-4558}}{{cite magazine |date=March 12, 1953 |title=Fabulous Cars Of the Stars |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ibsDAAAAMBAJ&q=eddie+anderson+intitle%3Ajet&pg=PA60 |url-status=live |magazine=Jet |page=60 |issn=0021-5996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185705/https://books.google.com/books?id=ibsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60&dq=eddie+anderson+intitle%3Ajet&hl=en&ei=QGgoTpGdK6WFsgLkmKg7&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEgQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=eddie%20anderson%20intitle%3Ajet&f=false |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=September 15, 2016}}
Anderson, who was the skipper of his own cabin cruiser, was missing and feared lost at sea in February 1946. When the boat developed engine trouble, Anderson and his two friends signaled an SOS with mirrors, fires, lanterns and with the ship's flag turned upside-down to indicate distress. They spent the night adrift until a fishing boat finally spotted them and towed them into the Los Angeles harbor. Anderson did not realize that he had caused great concern until he heard a radio news story about the search for him.{{cite news |date=February 14, 1946 |title=Rochester Makes Port |work=St. Joseph News-Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uchWAAAAIBAJ&pg=2407,3972602&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185705/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uchWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DEINAAAAIBAJ&pg=2407%2C3972602&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}}
==Horse racing==
File:Burnt corkedited.jpg before his Kentucky Derby run in 1943]]
Anderson owned racehorses,{{cite news |date=July 27, 1943 |title=Colored Men Hold Paying Turf Jobs |work=Baltimore Afro-American |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y2BGAAAAIBAJ&pg=1113,3030294&dq=burnt+cork&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185708/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y2BGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=huUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1113%2C3030294&dq=burnt+cork&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}} including Burnt Cork, a Thoroughbred that ran in the 1943 Kentucky Derby, making Anderson the first African-American owner of a horse entered into the Derby.Bolus, pp. 197–198.{{cite news |date=April 24, 1943 |title=Burnt Cork Looked Upon as Threat in Kentucky Derby |page=5 |work=The Ogden Standard-Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8976033/burnt_cork_derby/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216215330/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8976033/burnt_cork_derby/ |archive-date=February 16, 2017 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} However, as racial segregation was practiced in Louisville, Kentucky, Anderson and his wife lodged with black politician Mae Street Kidd while in the city to watch the race.{{cite news |author=Hopper, Hedda |date=April 27, 1943 |title=Hedda Hopper in Hollywood |work=St. Petersburg Times |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=niBPAAAAIBAJ&pg=5933,5349772&dq=burnt+cork&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185710/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=niBPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cU0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5933%2C5349772&dq=burnt+cork&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}}{{cite web |year=1943 |title=Burnt Cork in Kentucky Derby |url=http://www.uky.edu/Libraries/nkaa/subject.php?sub_id=57 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014224427/http://www.uky.edu/Libraries/NKAA/subject.php?sub_id=57 |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |access-date=July 21, 2011 |publisher=University of Kentucky Library}}
Both before and after the race, Anderson was accused of entering his horse in the race strictly for publicity purposes, especially after Burnt Cork finished last. However, United Press International sports columnist Jack Cuddy noted that King George VI's horse Tipstaff finished last at Ascot without any of the type of comments that surrounded Anderson.{{cite news |author=Cuddy, Jack |date=May 19, 1943 |title=McKecknie Is Sure Reds Are on Way Up |work=The Victoria Advocate |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6_ssAAAAIBAJ&pg=4454,1612953&dq=burnt+cork&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914185708/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6_ssAAAAIBAJ&sjid=p1oEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4454%2C1612953&dq=burnt+cork&hl=en |archive-date=September 14, 2020}}
When Burnt Cork won an important race, Anderson arrived at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for work dressed as a Kentucky colonel; he also insisted on being called "Colonel Rochester."
After the Benny television show had left the air, Anderson returned to his love of horse racing, working as a trainer at the Hollywood Park Racetrack until shortly before his death.{{cite news |author=Scott, Vernon |date=November 15, 1968 |title=Benny, Rochester are Reunited for Saturday Video Special |work=Merced Sun-Star |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5DZcAAAAIBAJ&pg=4658,1660144&dq=eddie+anderson+rochester&hl=en |access-date=July 19, 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} When a horse named Up and Over became injured and was nearly euthanized, Anderson spent extensive periods of time at the Paramount Pictures studio library reading about equine anatomy. This led him to a veterinary surgeon who assisted in rehabilitating the horse.
Death
Anderson died of heart disease on February 28, 1977, at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Los Angeles.{{cite news |date=March 1, 1977 |title=Eddie Anderson, 71, Benny's Rochester. Gravel-Voiced Comedian Noted for 'What's That, Boss?' Line Played Valet for More Than 30 Years. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/01/archives/eddie-anderson-71-bennys-rochester-gravelvoiced-comedian-noted-for.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925040502/http://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/01/archives/eddie-anderson-71-bennys-rochester-gravelvoiced-comedian-noted-for.html |archive-date=September 25, 2017 |access-date=May 24, 2008 |work=The New York Times |quote=Eddie (Rochester) Anderson...died yesterday at the Motion Picture Country House and Hospital in Los Angeles. He was 71 years old and had been under treatment for a heart ailment since December.}}(subscription required){{cite news |date=March 14, 1977 |title=Died |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,947282,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604183719/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,947282,00.html |archive-date=June 4, 2008 |access-date=May 24, 2008 |magazine=Time}} He was buried at the historic Evergreen Cemetery, the oldest existing cemetery in Los Angeles.Keister, p. 93
Legacy
In a final philanthropic gesture, Anderson willed his sizable home for the benefit of victims of substance abuse.{{Cite web |date=February 17, 2016 |title=Spirit of Eddie Anderson Lives on in LA – Played Role of Jack Benny's Sidekick Rochester |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/spirit-of-eddie-anderson_b_9256500 |website=HuffPost}} The Rochester House continues to help troubled men transition into society and provide shelter for homeless drug abusers. It opened several neighboring properties in 1989.{{cite web |title=Eddie Rochester Anderson Foundation |url=http://www.teraf.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905194252/http://teraf.org/ |archive-date=September 5, 2011 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |publisher=Eddie Rochester Anderson Foundation}}
Anderson's son Eddie Jr. later established The Eddie "Rochester" Anderson Foundation.{{cite web |title=Eddie Anderson Jr. Profile |url=https://profiles.google.com/DiamondRestorationProject/about |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402150530/https://profiles.google.com/DiamondRestorationProject/about |archive-date=April 2, 2012 |access-date=July 26, 2011}}
For his contribution to the radio industry, Anderson has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6513 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood. In 2001, Anderson was posthumously inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.{{cite web |title=Hollywood Walk of Fame-Eddie Anderson |url=http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/eddie-rochester-anderson/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610102428/http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/eddie-rochester-anderson/ |archive-date=June 10, 2011 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |work=Los Angeles Times}}{{cite web |title=Eddie Anderson |url=http://www.radiohof.org/comedy/eddieanderson.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712010613/http://www.radiohof.org/comedy/eddieanderson.html |archive-date=July 12, 2011 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |publisher=Radio Hall of Fame |df=mdy}}
Filmography
File:Green Pastures lobby card.jpg depicting Anderson as Noah in The Green Pastures (1936)]]
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
| 1932
| James – Max's Butler | Uncredited |
| 1932
| Walter | Uncredited |
| 1932
| Chauffeur | Uncredited |
| 1933
| Railroad Steward | Uncredited |
| 1933
| Sam's Pal | Uncredited |
| 1933
| Terror Aboard | Seaman | Uncredited |
| 1933
| I Love That Man | Charlie, Porter | Uncredited |
| 1934
| Chauffeur | Uncredited |
| 1934
| Second Bootblack | Uncredited |
| 1935
| Noxious | |
| 1935
| Bellhop | Uncredited |
| 1936
| Lucifer | |
| 1936
| Young Black Man | Uncredited |
| 1936
| Noah | |
| 1936
| Maid's Boyfriend | Uncredited |
| 1936
| Swipe | Uncredited |
| 1936
| Moses, the Elevator Operator | |
| 1936
| Rainbow on the River | Doctor | Uncredited |
| 1936
| Mysterious Crossing | Hotel Porter | Uncredited |
| 1937
| Man Getting Marriage License | Uncredited |
| 1937
| Chauffeur | |
| 1937
| When Love Is Young | Taxi Driver | Uncredited |
| 1937
| Exodus Johnson | |
| 1937
| Man Carrying Coat | Uncredited |
| 1937
| Old Glory | Uncredited |
| 1937
| Elevator Operator | Uncredited |
| 1937
| Porter | Uncredited |
| 1937
| Henry Bangs | |
| 1937
| Henry Clay, Fentridge Handyman | |
| 1937
| William | |
| 1938
| Reckless Living | Dreamboat | |
| 1938
| Jezebel | Gros Bat | |
| 1938
| Doorman | |
| 1938
| Donald | |
| 1938
| Hotel Doorman | Uncredited |
| 1938
| Exposed | William | |
| 1938
| Janitor | |
| 1938
| William | |
| 1938
| While New York Sleeps | Janitor | Uncredited |
| 1938
| Kentucky | Groom | |
| 1938
| George – a Groom | |
| 1939
| Honolulu | Washington, Mason's Hollywood Servant | |
| 1939
| You Can't Cheat an Honest Man | Rochester | |
| 1939
| You Can't Get Away with Murder | Sam | Uncredited |
| 1939
| Rochester | |
| 1939
| Uncle Peter – Pittypat's Coachman | |
| 1940
| Rochester Van Jones | |
| 1940
| Rochester Van Jones | |
| 1941
| Chauffeur | |
| 1941
| George | |
| 1941
| Louey | Credited as Rochester |
| 1942
| Rev. Lazarus | |
| 1942
| Rochester in "Sharp as a Tack" Number | Credited as Rochester |
| 1943
| The Meanest Man in the World | Shufro | |
| 1943
| Little Joe Jackson | |
| 1943
| Buckwheat | Voice, Short film |
| 1943
| Rochester | |
| 1944
| Eddie | |
| 1945
| Jackson | |
| 1945
| Newton H. Newton | Credited as Rochester |
| 1945
| Harry | |
| 1946
| Eddie | |
| 1959
| Rochester | Voice, Credited as Rochester |
| 1963
| It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World | Cab Driver | |
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Television |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 1950–1965
| Rochester Van Jones | 176 episodes |
| 1952
| Himself / Rochester | Mystery Guest |
| 1957
| Rochester Van Jones | Episode: " Freddie Finds a Headlight" |
| 1957
| Noah | Episode: "The Green Pastures" |
| 1959
| The Green Pastures | Noah | Television film |
| 1962
| Rochester Van Jones | Segment: "Pinch That Penny" |
| 1963
| Eddie Anderson | Episode: "Last of the Private Eyes" |
| 1968
| Concierge | Episode: "A Thief Is a Thief" |
| 1969
| Willie | Segment: "Love and the Hustler" |
| 1970
| Bobby Joe Mason | Voice, 22 episodes |
| 1972–1973
| Bobby Joe Mason | Voice, 3 episodes |
Footnotes
{{Reflist|30em}}
=Works cited=
- {{cite book|title=Bright Boulevards, Bold Dreams: The Story of Black Hollywood|publisher=Random House|year=2009|first=Donald|last=Bogle|isbn=978-0-307-51493-6}}
- {{cite book|title=Kentucky Derby Stories|year=1998|first=Jim|last=Bolus|publisher=Pelican Publishing|isbn=978-1-56554-465-9}}
- {{cite book|title=Sambo: The Rise and Demise of an American Jester|first=Joseph|last=Boskin|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1988|isbn=978-0-195-36353-1}}
- {{cite book|title=Harlem Renaissance Lives|first=Henry Louis Jr.|last=Gates|year=2009|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-538795-7}}
- {{cite book|title= Forever L.A.: A Field Guide To Los Angeles Area Cemeteries & Their Residents|first=Douglas|last=Keister|year=2010|publisher=Gibbs Smith|isbn=978-1-42361-653-5}}
- {{cite book|title=Raised on Radio|first=Gerald|last=Nachman|author-link=Gerald Nachman (journalist)|publisher=Random House|year=2012|isbn=978-0-30782-894-1}}
- {{cite book|title=Forgotten Hollywood Forgotten History|first=Manny|last=Pacheco|year=2009|publisher=Book Publishers Network|isbn=978-1-93535-916-6}}
- {{cite book|title=Profiles of African American Stage Performers and Theatre People, 1816–1960|first=Bernard L.|last=Peterson|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2001|isbn=978-0-31329-534-8}}
- {{cite book|title=Blacks in Blackface: A Sourcebook on Early Black Musical Shows|first=Henry T.|last=Sampson|publisher=Scarecrow Publishing|year=2013|isbn=978-081088-351-2}}
- {{cite book|title=The Great Black Way: L.A. In the 1940s and The Lost African-American Renaissance|first=R. J.|last=Smith|year=2006|publisher=Public Affairs|isbn=978-158648-295-4|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/greatblackwayla00smit}}
External links
{{Commons category|Eddie "Rochester" Anderson}}
- {{IMDb name|id=0026655|name=Eddie Anderson}}
- {{Find a Grave|5242|Eddie Anderson}}
- {{YouTube|8LItvNnwOk4|Rochester Christmas – shops for his Boss}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Comedy|Film|Radio|Television}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Eddie}}
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