🎬 Movies Mates PEOPLE
Ernest Anderson
Acting
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…
Read full 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.
Biography expanded
BODY OF WORK
Ernest Anderson's Filmography
Select any movie to open its full Movies Mates details page.
No Poster
Last of the Good Guys
as Uncle Stan
… tick… tick… tick…
as Homer
The Legend of Lylah Clare
as Hot Dog Man (uncredited)
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
as Ernie
No Poster
No Greater Love
as Queto's Father
North by Northwest
as Porter on Twentieth Century Ltd. (uncredited)
The Mississippi Gambler
as Bellhop (uncredited)
The Iron Mistress
as Riverboat Cabin Boy
Three for Bedroom C
as Fred Johnson
The Well
as Ralph Crawford
No Way Out
as School Teacher (uncredited)
Buccaneer's Girl
as Mme. Brizar's Footman (uncredited)
Backfire
as James - Party Servant 9 (uncredited)
East Side, West Side
Riff-Raff
as Wong - Houseboy (uncredited)
Sport of Kings
as Alf
The Peanut Man
as Robert
Without Reservations
as Dining Car Waiter (uncredited)
Lady on a Train
Princess O'Rourke
as Messenger (uncredited)
In This Our Life
as Parry Clay
Lost in the Jungle
as Hans