Anthony Anderson

American actorTemplate:SHORTDESC:American actor[[Category:**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Pagetype/config' not found.**s with short description]]

Template:Other people

* comedian
* writer
* game show host

**Anthony Anderson** (born August 15, 1970) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and game show host. He has starred in his own short-lived sitcom, *All About the Andersons*, as well as the ABC sitcom *Black-ish* and the Fox sitcom *The Bernie Mac Show* during its fifth and final season. He is known for his leading roles in drama series *K-Ville*, *The Shield* and as NYPD Detective Kevin Bernard on *Law & Order*. He has had major roles in feature films such as *Me, Myself & Irene* (2000), *Kangaroo Jack* (2003), *Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London* (2004), *The Departed* (2006), *Transformers* (2007), and *Scream 4* (2011).

Anderson is a regular judge on Food Network's *Iron Chef America*. Since September 2014, he has served as an executive producer and starred as Andre Johnson on the ABC sitcom *Black-ish*. Since June 2016, he has served as host of the ABC version of the game show *To Tell the Truth*. In addition, he has served as guest panelist for various game shows.

## Early life

Anderson was born in Compton, California. His mother, Doris (née Hancox), was a telephone operator and actress, and 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; Anthony has a half brother named Derrick Bowman. 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 did meet 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 Guy would later act together in the Eddie Murphy film titled *Life*. Anderson is an alumnus of the Hollywood High School Performing Arts Magnet's Class of 1988 and Howard University. He trained with actors such as Avery Brooks, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.

## Career

 File:AnthonyAndersonJuly06.jpg
Anderson stars in and executive produces the hit ABC series, *Black-ish*, alongside Laurence Fishburne and Tracee Ellis Ross. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for this role. His past television work includes a lead role in the teen series *Hang Time* as Teddy Broadis. He had many one-off and guest roles on major series such as *NYPD Blue*, *Malcolm & Eddie*, *In the House*, and *Ally McBeal*. Recurring roles were on several series such as *'Til Death* and *The Bernie Mac Show*. He was the central character in the short-lived series *All About the Andersons*, which lasted for one season on The WB. Anderson joined the cast of the long-running NBC crime drama television series, *Law & Order* in 2008. He previously starred in two other crime series, Fox's *K-Ville* (as one of the lead characters) and Fox's cable channel FX's *The Shield*.

Anderson's series *Eating America, with Anthony Anderson* was a summer show in 2014, having him go to different towns in America which host "food festivals" highlighting a specific type of food. He also is a regular judge on *Iron Chef America*. Anderson is 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.

In 2013, Anderson signed on to host the celebrity-driven, family game show called *Wall of Fame* produced by Endemol USA for NBC where one family attempted to answer pop culture trivia questions while also guessing whether members of the celebrity "Wall of Fame" delivered the correct answers to those same questions. Eight one-hour episodes were taped at the time, however, the series was never aired later on.

### Film

Since his film debut in *Liberty Heights*, Anderson has been performing as an actor, often in comedic roles, for many years. Among his more prominent feature films are: *Kangaroo Jack* which was one of his first films as a leading actor, *My Baby's Daddy*, *Hustle & Flow*, *Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London* and *King's Ransom* which, to date, is his only starring role. Anderson had a small role in the Academy Award-winning Martin Scorsese film *The Departed*. In June 2010, he was cast in a minor role in *Scream 4*.

### Directorial work

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.

## Personal life

He is married to wife Alvina. The couple have two children, Kyra and Nathan; who later starred as Tahj on the Netflix sitcom *Richie Rich*.

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*.

### Rape and sexual assault allegations

Anderson and second assistant director Wayne Witherspoon were 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 Witherspoon of forcibly removing her clothing, photographing her naked body, and digitally penetrating 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 is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department for another sexual assault allegation. On September 4, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office announced that it would not be filing charges against Anderson due to lack of evidence.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Anthony Anderson | Biography and Filmography | 1970", *Hollywood.com* (8 February 2015). Retrieved on 14 September 2017.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Anthony Anderson" (in en-us). Biography.com. https://www.biography.com/people/anthony-anderson-21468579. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
3. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Template:Cite interview
5. ↑ "People of Fulani Descent". http://pinterest.com/asmcfadden/people-of-fulani-descent/. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
6. ↑ "Anthony Anderson African Ancestry Reveal". February 24, 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Msk-HFUpJ5A.
7. ↑ "Anthony Anderson Biography (1970–)". Filmreference.com. http://www.filmreference.com/film/8/Anthony-Anderson.html. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
8. ↑ Braxton, Greg (September 16, 2007). "Comic in 'K-Ville'", Tronc. Retrieved on September 21, 2018.
9. ↑ "Lauren Graham Confirmed for Scream 4 and Two More Join the Cast". Dread Central Media, LLC. October 4, 2012. http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/38110/lauren-graham-confirmed-scream-4-and-two-more-join-cast. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
10. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (September 3, 2013). "Anthony Anderson to Host's NBC's 'Wall of Fame' (exclusive)". Los Angeles, California: Eldridge Industries. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/anthony-anderson-hosts-nbcs-wall-619741. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
11. ↑ Miska, Brad (June 18, 2010). "'Scary Movie' Funnyman Joins 'Scream IV' Cast". Mundelein, Illinois: The Collective. http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20632. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
12. ↑ Nashawaty, Chris (June 18, 2010). "'Gilmore Girl' Lauren Graham to star in 'Scream 4'?". https://ew.com/article/2010/06/18/lauren-graham-scream-4/. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
13. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
14. ↑ Solé, Elise (April 24, 2015). "‘Black-ish’ Star Anthony Anderson: ‘I Can’t Spoil My Kids’", Yahoo!. Retrieved on February 19, 2017.
15. ↑ "'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' presents 'Celebrity Week' to benefit Alzheimer's Association". Niagara Frontier Publications. https://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/current/2012/09/15/107810/who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-presents-celebrity-week-to-benefit-alzheimers-association. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
16. ↑ "Anthony Anderson Rape Charge" (in en). http://www.thesmokinggun.com/file/anthony-anderson-rape-charge?page=1.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Template:Cite magazine
18. ↑ "Anthony Anderson sued for sexual assault" (in en) (September 16, 2004).
19. ↑ Nakamura, Reid (September 4, 2018). "Anthony Anderson Sexual Assault Case Declined by LA District Attorney’s Office". Los Angeles, California: The Wrap, Inc.. https://www.thewrap.com/anthony-anderson-sexual-assault-case-declined-la-district-attorneys-office/. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
20. ↑ "Sony Animation Announces Details & Release Date for Lin-Manuel Miranda's VIVO". Wisdom Digital Media. January 18, 2017. http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Sony-Animation-Announces-Details-Release-Date-for-Lin-Manuel-Mirandas-VIVO-20170118. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
21. ↑ Jacobs, Meredith (December 11, 2019). "Patti LaBelle & Anthony Anderson to Perform 'Good Times' Theme Song on 'Live in Front of a Studio Audience'". https://www.tvinsider.com/839580/anthony-anderson-patti-labelle-good-times-theme-song-live-in-front-of-a-studio-audience/.
22. ↑ Chubb, Hannah (September 27, 2019). "Surprise! Anthony Anderson Is Joining HGTV's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Reboot". https://people.com/home/surprise-anthony-anderson-is-joining-hgtvs-extreme-makeover-home-edition-reboot/.
23. ↑ Reuters (January 8, 2018). "Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy".
24. ↑ Template:Cite journal
25. ↑ Template:Cite journal
26. ↑ Sharf, Zack (January 8, 2018). "Aziz Ansari Wins Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Comedy or Musical".
27. ↑ Moreau, Jordan (19 June 2019). "‘Avengers: Endgame,’ ‘Riverdale,’ ‘Aladdin’ Top 2019 Teen Choice Award Nominations" (in en). https://variety.com/2019/film/news/teen-choice-awards-nominations-avengers-endgame-riverdale-1203247410/. Retrieved 19 July 2019.

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