b. 18 September 1905, Oakland, California, USA, d. 28 February 1977, Los Angeles, California, USA. An actor, singer and comedian, with a hoarse voice and extremely mobile eyes, whose portrayal on radio, television and film of the character of Rochester, comedian Jack Benny’s acerbic manservant, established him as a genuinely original and likeable personality in his own right. Both of Anderson’s parents were in showbusiness, and he started young, touring in all-black revues and vaudeville. His big break came when he was hired by Benny for a single show. From then on, the two were inseparable on radio, television (1953-65), and in films such as Man About Town (1939), Buck Benny Rides Again (1940) and Love Thy Neighbour (1940). Eventually, however, their white boss/black servant relationship became unfashionable in a more politically correct era. Anderson had previously appeared in musical films such as Show Boat (1936), The Green Pastures (1936, as Noah), Melody For Two (1937), Gold Diggers In Paris (1938), Kiss The Boys Goodbye (1941), Birth Of The Blues (1941), Star Spangled Rhythm (1942), What’s Buzzin’ Cousin (1943) and Broadway Rhythm (1944). In 1943, Anderson took the leading role of the likeable gambler Little Joe in an all-black movie version of Cabin In the Sky (1943), co-starring with Ethel Waters. He was also in numerous others films, in featured comic and dramatic roles, including Three Men On A Horse (1932), Thanks For The Memory (1938), You Can’t Take It With You (1938), Gone With The Wind (1939) and It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963).