# Anthony Anderson

Anthony Anderson (born August 15, 1970) is an American actor, comedian, and television host. He is known for his leading roles in television shows such as Andre "Dre" Johnson on the comedy series Black-ish (2014–2022), Marlin Boulet on the drama series K-Ville (2007), and NYPD Detective Kevin Bernard on the NBC crime drama Law & Order (2008–2010, 2022). He has also had major roles in feature films such as Me, Myself & Irene (2000), Kangaroo Jack (2003), Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (2004), Hustle & Flow (2005), The Departed (2006), Transformers (2007), and Scream 4 (2011).
Anderson is currently the host of the Fox game show We Are Family. He has appeared as a regular judge on Food Network's Iron Chef America and had roles on other television programs such as All About the Andersons, The Bernie Mac Show, Guys with Kids, and The Shield. From 2016 to 2022, Anderson served as host of the ABC version of the game show To Tell the Truth and was a guest panelist on various game shows. In 2024, he hosted the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards.

## Early life

Anderson was born in Compton, California. His mother, Doris Bowman (née Hancox), was a telephone operator and actress. His stepfather, Sterling Bowman, was a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, who moved to Los Angeles to work in the steel mill industry before opening a chain of three clothing stores. Sterling died in 2022. Anderson has a younger half-brother, Derrick Bowman, who works as an ICU nurse. Growing up, Anderson's nickname was "Tugga" because he could not pronounce sugar. According to a DNA analysis, Anderson descends from the Bubi people of Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea), and from the Tikar, Hausa, and Fulani people of Cameroon.
Anderson has stated that his first attempt at stand-up comedy was a failure. Although this experience was a blow to his ego, he met his future friend and fellow comedic actor Guy Torry there, who consoled him after the show and encouraged him to keep getting up on stage. He and Torry later acted together in the 1999 film Life, alongside Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence.
Anderson is an alumnus of the Hollywood High School Performing Arts Magnet's Class of 1988. He initially enrolled at Howard University as a theater major but faced financial difficulties, leading him to leave after his junior year. Nearly three decades later, inspired by his son Nathan's acceptance to the university, he returned to Howard to complete his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts in 2022.

## Career
### 1995–2004: Early roles

Anderson's early television work includes a lead role as Teddy Broadis in the teen series Hang Time, and many one-off guest appearances on shows such as NYPD Blue, Malcolm & Eddie, In the House, and Ally McBeal, as well as recurring roles on series like 'Til Death and The Bernie Mac Show. Anderson has worked as an actor, often in comedic roles, since his film debut in Liberty Heights (1999). In 2002, he voiced the character Ray Ray in an episode of the Disney Channel animated series The Proud Family. He later reprised this role in a second-season episode of its revival series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, which aired in 2023. From 2003 to 2004, he was the central character in the short-lived series All About the Andersons, which lasted for one season on The WB. He also had leading film roles in the comedy films Kangaroo Jack (2003), My Baby's Daddy (2004), and King's Ransom (2005), with a supporting role in the family adventure film Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (2004).

### 2005–2014: Rise to prominence

Anderson took supporting roles in the drama Hustle & Flow (2005), and Martin Scorsese's crime film The Departed (2006). Additionally, Anderson had a supporting role in Scary Movie 3 (2003) and Scary Movie 4 (2006). He was originally set to return in Scary Movie 5 (2013) with Regina Hall and Kevin Hart. Anderson joined the cast of the long-running NBC crime drama television series, Law & Order in 2008. After three seasons (18, 19, and 20) as Kevin Bernard, he reprised the role upon the series' revival in 2022, concurrent with the final episodes of Black-ish. In 2009, Anderson directed a one-minute short film featuring his Law & Order co-star Jeremy Sisto. The short was made for the Responsibility Project, a joint initiative of NBC and Liberty Mutual Group. The short aired during the In The House episode "Reality Bites" on October 16, 2009. In June 2010, he was cast in a minor role in Scream 4.
Before his work in Law & Order, Anderson starred in two other crime series, Fox's K-Ville (as one of the lead characters) and FX's The Shield. He also starred in the sitcom Guys with Kids, which lasted a single season. In 2013, Anderson signed on to host the celebrity-driven, family game show called Wall of Fame, which was produced by Endemol USA for NBC. Eight one-hour episodes were taped at the time, but never aired. Anderson's series Eating America with Anthony Anderson was a summer show in 2014. He visited different towns in America that host "food festivals" highlighting a specific type of food. He was a frequent judge on Iron Chef America, and was one of the few judges to taste dishes from all the Iron Chefs on the show. In the Ultimate Bar Food battle, he served as bartender/sous-chef for Iron Chef Bobby Flay opposite Masaharu Morimoto and fellow judge Simon Majumdar.

### 2014–2022: Black-ish

In 2014, Anderson began starring as Andre "Dre" Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish, which completed its eight-season run in 2022. During its run Anderson received 11 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations. In 2022, Anderson was not nominated as a producer or actor for its final season. He reacted to the news while guest hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! joking, "Can you believe that shit? Now I'm not saying the voters were stupid for not nominating me or Black-ish or Tracee, I'm just saying they're racist." He also serves as executive producer on its spinoffs Grown-ish, which premiered on Freeform in 2018, and Mixed-ish, which ran on ABC for two seasons from 2019 to 2021. He guest starred as Dre in episodes on both series. From 2016 to 2022, he was the host of To Tell the Truth, which also aired on ABC. In 2019, Anderson was a guest panelist in season two of The Masked Singer. He later competed in season ten as "Rubber Ducky" and was eliminated in the first episode when competing in Group A. In October 2022, Anderson and his mother Doris began filming Anthony Anderson and Mom: European Vacation to be aired on the E! network.

### 2023–present: We Are Family

In November 2023, it was announced that Anderson and his mother Doris would host the Fox game show We Are Family, replacing Jamie Foxx and his daughter, Corinne, who were originally set to host the show. It premiered on January 3, 2024. In December 2023, Anderson was named as the host of the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. The decision for Anderson to host was met with controversy due to his allegations of sexual assault. The Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA) urged the Emmys and Fox, the network set to air the 2024 ceremony, to reconsider Anderson as host writing, "The entertainment industry has the power and responsibility to protect individuals from sexual violence...the Emmys and Fox to not only remove Anderson as host, but to also conduct their due diligence going forward when selecting hosts." The telecast was met with mixed reviews and some criticism, in particular, regarding a recurring bit in which Anderson's mother interrupted acceptance speeches that went on too long. Some on social media cited the moment when Anderson's mother interrupted a speech given by Jennifer Coolidge, who won for The White Lotus, as being "rude" and "disrespectful".

## Personal life

Anderson was married to Alvina Stewart from September 1999 to September 2023. They have two children. Their son Nathan starred as Tahj in the Netflix sitcom Richie Rich and guest starred in Black-ish. Stewart initially filed for divorce in September 2015 citing irreconcilable differences, after having been separated since April 2014. They reconciled in January 2017 and she withdrew her petition. On March 25, 2022, she filed for divorce again, and it was granted by a judge the following year in September.
Anderson has type 2 diabetes and has been active in diabetes awareness.
Playing for the Alzheimer's Association, in 2011, Anderson won $250,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Anderson is an honorary member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity; he was inducted on July 30, 2020. In 2019, a star was named after Anderson in the International Star Registry.

### Divorce settlement

Nineteen months after their second split, Anderson and his ex-wife Alvina finalized their divorce in September 2023. The actor was ordered to pay more than $200,000 a year in spousal support per their divorce settlement, with a base amount of $20,000 monthly. The court documents stated that should the actor's gross income exceed $2,000,000 per year, he was to pay 20% of the gross amount to her. Further settlement agreements stated that Anderson was to relinquish his Glock 19 firearm to law enforcement within 30 days of the divorce finalization. Anderson was set to keep their home in Encino and a 2004 Land Rover, while Alvina kept possession of their home in Houston and their 2022 Mazda. They also split their cemetery plots located in LA's Inglewood Park Cemetery.

### Rape and sexual assault allegations

Anderson was accused of raping a 25-year-old extra in a trailer on the film set of Hustle & Flow on July 27, 2004. The alleged victim accused Anderson and assistant director Wayne Witherspoon of forcibly removing her clothing, photographing her naked body, and sexually assaulting her. A witness claimed to have heard the alleged victim's screams and to have seen her run naked from the trailer, and she was treated at St. Francis Hospital. The charges were dropped on October 6, 2004, because the judge ruled that there was no probable cause to try the case.
Anderson was sued for sexual assault in September 2004 by another woman who claimed that Anderson made sexually suggestive remarks and then assaulted her in his dressing room on the set of All About the Andersons.
On July 20, 2018, it was revealed that he was being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department for another sexual assault allegation. Due to lack of evidence on September 4, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office decided not to press charges against Anderson.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1999 | Liberty Heights | "Scribbles" | |
| 1999 | Life | "Cookie" | Uncredited |
| 1999 | Trippin' | "Z-Boy" | |
| 2000 | 3 Strikes | Guard | Uncredited |
| 2000 | Romeo Must Die | Maurice | |
| 2000 | Big Momma's House | Nolan | |
| 2000 | Me, Myself & Irene | Jamaal Baileygates | |
| 2000 | Urban Legends: Final Cut | Stan Washington | |
| 2001 | See Spot Run | Benny | |
| 2001 | Exit Wounds | T.K. Johnson | |
| 2001 | Kingdom Come | Junior Slocumb | |
| 2001 | Two Can Play That Game | Tony | |
| 2002 | Barbershop | J.D. | |
| 2003 | Kangaroo Jack | Louis Booker | |
| 2003 | Cradle 2 the Grave | Tommy | |
| 2003 | Malibu's Most Wanted | P.J. "Tree" | |
| 2003 | Scary Movie 3 | Mahalik | |
| 2004 | My Baby's Daddy | "G" | |
| 2004 | Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London | Derek Bowman | |
| 2004 | Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle | Burger Shack Employee | |
| 2004 | Barbershop 2 | J.D | |
| 2005 | King's Ransom | Malcolm King | |
| 2005 | Hustle & Flow | Key | |
| 2005 | Hoodwinked! | Bill Stork (voice) | |
| 2006 | Scary Movie 4 | Mahalik | |
| 2006 | The Last Stand | Jay | |
| 2006 | Arthur & the Invisibles | Koolomassai (voice) | |
| 2006 | The Departed | Trooper Brown | |
| 2007 | Transformers | Glen Whitmann | |
| 2009 | Steppin: The Movie | Uncle Trevor | |
| 2010 | The Back-Up Plan | Dad | |
| 2010 | A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures | Ray (voice) | |
| 2011 | Scream 4 | Deputy Perkins | |
| 2011 | The Big Year | Bill Clemens | |
| 2012 | The Power of Few | "Junkshow" | |
| 2013 | Grudge Match | Mr. Sandpaper Hands | |
| 2014 | The Town That Dreaded Sundown | Ranger "Lone Wolf" Morales | |
| 2016 | Hot Bot | Agent Frazier | |
| 2016 | Barbershop: The Next Cut | J.D. | |
| 2017 | Small Town Crime | Mr. Banks | |
| 2017 | The Star | Zach (voice) | |
| 2017 | Ferdinand | Bones (voice) | |
| 2019 | Beats | Romelo Reese | |
| 2023 | You People | Barber #1 | |
| 2025 | G20 | Derek Sutton | Post-production |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1995 | In the House | Eddie | Episode: "Nanna Don't Play" |
| 1996–1998 | Hang Time | Teddy Brodis | 39 episodes |
| 1996 | In the House | Snacks | Episode: "Close Encounters of the Worst Kind" |
| 1998 | NYPD Blue | Vondell | Episode: "Weaver of Hate" |
| 2000 | Ally McBeal | Matthew Vault | Episodes: "Prime Suspect" and "The Oddball Parade". |
| 2001 | My Wife and Kids | Dr. Buchay | 2 episodes |
| 2001 | The Weakest Link | Himself/Celebrity Guest | 1 episode |
| 2002 | The Proud Family | Ray Ray (voice) | Episode: "Behind Family Lines" |
| 2003–2004 | All About the Andersons | Anthony Anderson | 16 episodes |
| 2004–2005 | The Shield | Antwon Mitchell | 15 episodes |
| 2005 | The Bernie Mac Show | Bryan Brown | 4 episodes (season 5) |
| 2005 | Veronica Mars | Percy "Bone" Hamilton | Episode: "Lord of the Bling" |
| 2005 | Entourage | Himself | Episode: "Neighbors" |
| 2005 | Chappelle's Show | Shirtless Man | Episode 2.9; "Don't Pitch Me" sketch |
| 2006 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Lucius Blaine | Episode: "Fat" |
| 2006–2007 | 'Til Death | Cofeld | 6 episodes |
| 2007 | K-Ville | Marlin Boulet | 11 episodes |
| 2008–2010, 2022 | Law & Order | Detective Kevin Bernard | Series regular (seasons 18–21) |
| 2008 | Samantha Who | Rafael Grace | Episode: "Out of Africa" |
| 2010 | Golf in America | Host | 10 episodes |
| 2011 | Shameless | Marty Fisher | Episode: "Three Boys" |
| 2011 | Family BrainSurge | Himself | |
| 2012 | Psych | Chef Thane Woodson | Episode: "True Grits" |
| 2012 | Raising Hope | Neighbor | Episode: "Inside Probe (part 1)" |
| 2012 | The Soul Man | Sweet Brown Taylor | Episode: "Revelations" |
| 2012–2013 | Guys with Kids | Gary | 18 episodes |
| 2010–2013 | Treme | Derek Watson | 4 episodes |
| 2013 | Hell's Kitchen | Himself | Episode: "Winner Chosen" Appeared alongside his son as chef's table guests in Ja'Nel Witt's kitchen |
| 2013 | Real Husbands of Hollywood | Himself | Episode: "Rock, Paper, Stealers" |
| 2013 | Chopped | Himself | Episode: "Celebrity Holiday Bash" |
| 2013–2014 | Hollywood Game Night | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 2014 | Rake | Reggie Jarvis | Episode: "Three Strikes" |
| 2014 | Celebrities Undercover | Himself | |
| 2014 | Eating America with Anthony Anderson | Himself/Host | Food Network show; also executive producer (8 episodes) |
| 2014–2022 | Black-ish | Andre "Dre" Johnson Sr./Narrator | Lead role; also executive producer |
| 2015, 2019 | Celebrity Family Feud | Himself | Episodes: "Anderson vs. Braxton", "Black-ish vs. The Goldbergs |
| 2015 | Carnival Cravings with Anthony Anderson | Himself/Host | Food Network show; also executive producer (6 episodes) |
| 2015–2018 | Blaze and the Monster Machines | Pegwheel (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2016 | Lip Sync Battle | Himself | Episode: "Tracee Ellis Ross vs. Anthony Anderson" |
| 2016 | Richie Rich | Bulldozah | Episode: "Rapper'$ Delight" |
| 2016 | The $100,000 Pyramid | Himself/Celebrity Guest | Episode: "Anthony Anderson vs. Sherri Shepherd" |
| 2016 | Doc McStuffins | Stanley (voice) | Episode: "Welcome to McStuffinsville" |
| 2016–2022 | To Tell the Truth | Himself/Host | |
| 2017–2022 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Himself/Guest Host | 3 episodes; fill-in for Jimmy Kimmel. His mother Doris accompanies Guillermo as sidekick. |
| 2017 | The Gong Show | Himself/Judge | Episode: "Dana Carvey/Tracee Ellis Ross/Anthony Anderson" |
| 2017 | Drop the Mic | Himself | Episode: "Halle Berry vs. James Corden / Anthony Anderson vs. Usher" |
| 2017 | Animal Nation with Anthony Anderson | Himself/Host | 10 episodes |
| 2017 | Funny You Should Ask | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 2018–2023 | Grown-ish | Andre "Dre" Johnson Sr. | 8 episodes; also, executive producer |
| 2019 | Mixed-ish | Andre "Dre" Johnson Sr. | Episode: "Becoming Bow"; also executive producer |
| 2019 | Live in Front of a Studio Audience | Uncle Henry Jefferson Himself | Episode: "Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons" "All in the Family and Good Times" |
| 2019 | The Late Late Show with James Corden | Himself/Guest Host | December 11, 2019 |
| 2020 | Extreme Makeover: Home Edition | Himself | Guest |
| 2020 | #KidsTogether: The Nickelodeon Town Hall | Himself | Television special |
| 2020 | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | Himself | Guest |
| 2020 | Mo Willems: Don't Let the Pigeon Do Storytime! | Himself/Guest Host | September 17, 2020 |
| 2022 | Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music & Laughter | Himself | Television special |
| 2022 | Harry & Meghan | Himself | Cameo |
| 2022 | The Drew Barrymore Show | Himself | Guest |
| 2023 | The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder | Ray Ray (voice) | Episode: "The Soul Vibrations" |
| 2023 | Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge | Himself/Celebrity Guest | Episode: "Monster Bug vs. Buckaroo" |
| 2023 | The Masked Singer | Rubber Ducky | Season 10 contestant; Eliminated in first episode |
| 2024 | We Are Family | Himself/Host | |
| 2024 | 75th Primetime Emmy Awards | Himself/Host | Television special |
| 2024 | Lopez vs Lopez | Todd Cheeks | season 3 episode 1 Lopez vs Wedding |

### Video games

| Year | Title | Voice role |
| 2006 | Scarface: The World Is Yours | Drug Dealer Brenton |
| 2007 | Def Jam: Icon | Troy Dollar |
| 2012 | Diablo III | Monster voices |
| 2014 | Diablo III: Reaper of Souls | Monster voice effects |

### Music videos

| Year | Title | Artist | Notes |
| 2000 | Breakout | Foo Fighters | promoting Me, Myself & Irene because the song's featured on the film's soundtrack |

## Awards and nominations

| Association | Year | Category | Work | Result |
| Black Reel Awards | 2002 | Best Supporting Actor | Two Can Play That Game | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards | 2006 | Best Supporting Actor | Hustle & Flow | Nominated |
| Boston Society of Film Critics | 2006 | Best Ensemble | The Departed | Nominated |
| Central Ohio Film Critics Association | 2007 | Best Ensemble | The Departed | Won |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | 2015 | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | 2016 | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | 2017 | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | 2018 | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Golden Globe Awards | 2017 | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Golden Globe Awards | 2018 | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Kids' Choice Awards | 2016 | Favorite TV Actor – Family Show | Black-ish | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2002 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture | Two Can Play That Game | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2003 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture | Barbershop | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2006 | Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series | K-Ville | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2009 | Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series | Law & Order | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2010 | Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series | Law & Order | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2011 | Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series | Law & Order | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2013 | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Guys with Kids | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2015 | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Won |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2016 | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Won |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2017 | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Won |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2017 | Outstanding Host in a News, Talk, Reality, or Variety (Series or Special) | BET Awards 2016 (as host) | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2018 | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Won |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2019 | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Won |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2020 | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Won |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2021 | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Won |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2022 | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Won |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2015 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2016 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2016 | Outstanding Comedy Series (as producer) | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2017 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2017 | Outstanding Comedy Series (as producer) | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2018 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2018 | Outstanding Comedy Series (as producer) | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2019 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2020 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2021 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2021 | Outstanding Comedy Series (as producer) | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2006 | Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture | The Departed | Won |
| Satellite Awards | 2018 | Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2006 | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Hustle & Flow | Nominated |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2017 | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2017 | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2018 | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2018 | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Teen Choice Awards | 2004 | Choice TV Actor – Comedy | All About the Andersons | Nominated |
| Teen Choice Awards | 2015 | Choice TV Actor – Comedy | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Teen Choice Awards | 2017 | Choice TV Actor – Comedy | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Teen Choice Awards | 2019 | Choice TV Actor – Comedy | Black-ish | Nominated |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | 2002 | Best Ensemble | Barbershop | Won |