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Ernest Anderson

Acting Born Aug 25, 1915 Lynn, Massachusetts, USA 24 credits

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.

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Known for

Film

The Tattoo

as The Jury Foreman

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre

as Trooper Marshall

Four Star Playhouse

as George
Film

North by Northwest

as Porter on Twentieth Century Ltd. (uncredited)
Film

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

as Ernie
Film

No Way Out

as School Teacher (uncredited)
Film

The Legend of Lylah Clare

as Hot Dog Man (uncredited)
Film

… tick… tick… tick…

as Homer
Film

Backfire

as James - Party Servant 9 (uncredited)
Film

Buccaneer's Girl

as Mme. Brizar's Footman (uncredited)
Film

The Iron Mistress

as Riverboat Cabin Boy

Full filmography

  • Run for Your Life (1965) as The Jury Foreman
  • Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) as Trooper Marshall
  • Four Star Playhouse (1952) as George
  • North by Northwest (1959) as Porter on Twentieth Century Ltd. (uncredited)
  • What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) as Ernie
  • No Way Out (1950) as School Teacher (uncredited)
  • The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968) as Hot Dog Man (uncredited)
  • Riff-Raff (1947) as Wong - Houseboy (uncredited)
  • … tick… tick… tick… (1970) as Homer
  • The Well (1951) as Ralph Crawford
  • In This Our Life (1942) as Parry Clay
  • Lady on a Train (1945)
  • Backfire (1950) as James - Party Servant 9 (uncredited)
  • Buccaneer's Girl (1950) as Mme. Brizar's Footman (uncredited)
  • Without Reservations (1946) as Dining Car Waiter (uncredited)
  • Princess O'Rourke (1943) as Messenger (uncredited)
  • The Iron Mistress (1952) as Riverboat Cabin Boy
  • East Side, West Side (1949)
  • Last of the Good Guys (1978) as Uncle Stan
  • The Mississippi Gambler (1953) as Bellhop (uncredited)
  • Sport of Kings (1947) as Alf
  • No Greater Love (1960) as Queto's Father
  • Three for Bedroom C (1952) as Fred Johnson
  • The Peanut Man (1947) as Robert