Ernest Anderson
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.
Known For
Credits
- 1978 · Last of the Good Guys as Uncle Stan
- 1970 · Tick... Tick... Tick... as Homer
- 1968 · The Legend of Lylah Clare as Hot Dog Man (uncredited)
- 1962 · What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? as Ernie
- 1959 · North by Northwest as Porter on Twentieth Century Ltd. (uncredited)
- 1952 · The Iron Mistress as Riverboat Cabin Boy
- 1952 · Four Star Playhouse as George
- 1952 · Three for Bedroom C as Fred Johnson
- 1951 · The Well as Ralph Crawford
- 1950 · No Way Out as School Teacher (uncredited)
- 1950 · Buccaneer's Girl as Footman
- 1950 · Backfire as James - Party Servant 9 (uncredited)
- 1949 · East Side, West Side as
- 1947 · Riff-Raff as Wong - Houseboy (uncredited)
- 1947 · Sport of Kings as Alf
- 1947 · The Peanut Man as Robert
- 1946 · Without Reservations as Dining Car Waiter (uncredited)
- 1945 · Lady on a Train as
- 1943 · Princess O'Rourke as Messenger (uncredited)
- 1942 · In This Our Life as Parry Clay
- 1911 · Lost in the Jungle as Hans