
Ernest Anderson
Personal Info
Known for
Acting
Gender
Male
Birthday
1915-08-25
Day of Death
2011-03-05 (95 years old)
Place of Birth
Lynn, Massachusetts, USA
Ernest Anderson
Biography
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
Acting
(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)
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)
(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)
(1943)
Princess O'Rourke
as Messenger (uncredited)
(1942)
In This Our Life
as Parry Clay
(1911)
Lost in the Jungle
as Hans