Anthony Anderson

Anthony Anderson
Anderson in 2010
Born (1970-08-15) August 15, 1970 (age 53)
Alma materHoward University (BFA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • game show host
Years active1995–present
Spouse
Alvina Stewart
(m. 1999; div. 2023)
Children2

Anthony Anderson (born August 15, 1970) is an American actor, comedian and game show host. He is best known for his leading roles in television shows such as Andre "Dre" Johnson on the comedy series Black-ish (2014–2022), Marlin Boulet on the drama series K-Ville (2007), and NYPD Detective Kevin Bernard on the NBC crime drama Law & Order (2008–2010, 2022). He has also 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 currently the host of the Fox game show We Are Family. He has appeared as a regular judge on Food Network's Iron Chef America and had roles on other television programs such as All About the Andersons, The Bernie Mac Show, Guys with Kids, and The Shield. From 2016 to 2022, Anderson served as host of the ABC version of the game show To Tell the Truth and was a guest panelist on various game shows. In 2024, he hosted the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Early life

Anderson was born in Compton, California. His mother, Doris Bowman (née Hancox), was a telephone operator and actress. 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. Sterling died in 2022. Anderson has a younger half-brother, Derrick Bowman, who works as an ICU nurse. Growing up, Anderson's nickname was "Tugga" because he could not pronounce sugar. 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 met 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 Torry later acted together in the 1999 film Life, alongside Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence.

Anderson is an alumnus of the Hollywood High School Performing Arts Magnet's Class of 1988. He initially enrolled at Howard University as a theater major but faced financial difficulties, leading him to leave after his junior year. Nearly three decades later, inspired by his son Nathan's acceptance to the university, he returned to Howard to complete his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts in 2022.

Career

1995–2004: Early roles

Anderson in 2006

Anderson's early television work includes a lead role as Teddy Broadis in the teen series Hang Time, and many one-off guest appearances on shows such as NYPD Blue, Malcolm & Eddie, In the House, and Ally McBeal, as well as recurring roles on series like 'Til Death and The Bernie Mac Show. Anderson has worked as an actor, often in comedic roles, since his film debut in Liberty Heights (1999). In 2002, he voiced the character Ray Ray in an episode of the Disney Channel animated series The Proud Family. He later reprised this role in a second season episode of its revival series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, which aired in 2023. From 2003 to 2004, he was the central character in the short-lived series All About the Andersons, which lasted for one season on The WB. He also had leading film roles in the comedy films Kangaroo Jack (2003), My Baby's Daddy (2004), and King's Ransom (2005), with a supporting role in the family adventure film Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (2004).

2005–2014: Rise to prominence

Anderson took supporting roles in the drama Hustle & Flow (2005), and Martin Scorsese's crime film The Departed (2006). Additionally, Anderson had a supporting role in Scary Movie 3 (2003) and Scary Movie 4 (2006). He was originally set to return in Scary Movie 5 (2013) with Regina Hall and Kevin Hart. Anderson joined the cast of the long-running NBC crime drama television series, Law & Order in 2008. After three seasons (18, 19, and 20) as Kevin Bernard, he reprised the role upon the series's revival in 2022, concurrent with the final episodes of Black-ish. 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. In June 2010, he was cast in a minor role in Scream 4.

Before his work in Law & Order, Anderson starred in two other crime series, Fox's K-Ville (as one of the lead characters) and FX's The Shield. He also starred in the sitcom Guys with Kids, which lasted a single season. In 2013, Anderson signed on to host the celebrity-driven, family game show called Wall of Fame, which was produced by Endemol USA for NBC. One family attempts to answer pop culture trivia questions while also guessing whether members of the celebrity "Wall of Fame" answered the same questions correctly. Eight one-hour episodes were taped at the time, but never aired. Anderson's series Eating America with Anthony Anderson was a summer show in 2014. He visited different towns in America that host "food festivals" highlighting a specific type of food. He was a frequent judge on Iron Chef America, and was 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.

2014–2022: Black-ish

In 2014, Anderson began starring as Andre "Dre" Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish, which completed its eight-season run in 2022. During its run Anderson received 11 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations. In 2022, Anderson was not nominated as a producer or actor for its final season. He reacted to the news while guest hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! joking, "Can you believe that shit? Now I'm not saying the voters were stupid for not nominating me or Black-ish or Tracee, I'm just saying they're racist." He also serves as executive producer on its spinoffs Grown-ish, which premiered on Freeform in 2018, and Mixed-ish, which ran on ABC for two seasons from 2019 to 2021. He guest starred as Dre in episodes on both series. From 2016 to 2022, he was the host of To Tell the Truth, which also aired on ABC. In 2019, Anderson was a guest panelist in season two of The Masked Singer. He later competed in season ten as "Rubber Ducky" and was eliminated in the first episode when competing in Group A. In October 2022, Anderson and his mother Doris began filming Anthony Anderson and Mom: European Vacation to be aired on the E! network.

2023–present: We Are Family

In November 2023, it was announced that Anderson and his mother Doris would host the Fox game show We Are Family, replacing Jamie Foxx and his daughter, Corinne, who were originally set to host the show. It premiered on January 3, 2024. In December 2023, Anderson was named as the host of the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. The decision for Anderson to host was met with controversy due to his allegations of sexual assault. The Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA) urged the Emmys and Fox, the network set to air the 2024 ceremony, to reconsider Anderson as host writing, "The entertainment industry has the power and responsibility to protect individuals from sexual violence...the Emmys and Fox to not only remove Anderson as host, but to also conduct their due diligence going forward when selecting hosts." The telecast was met with mixed reviews and some criticism, in particular, regarding a recurring bit in which Anderson's mother interrupted acceptance speeches that went on too long. Some on social media cited the moment when Anderson's mother interrupted a speech given by Jennifer Coolidge, who won for The White Lotus, as being "rude" and "disrespectful".

Personal life

Anderson was married to Alvina Stewart from September 1999 to September 2023. They have two children. Their son Nathan starred as Tahj in the Netflix sitcom Richie Rich and guest starred in Black-ish. Stewart initially filed for divorce in September 2015 citing irreconcilable differences, after having been separated since April 2014. They reconciled in January 2017 and she withdrew her petition. On March 25, 2022, she filed for divorce again, and it was granted by a judge the following year in September.

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.

Anderson is an honorary member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity; he was inducted on July 30, 2020. In 2019, a star was named after Anderson in the International Star Registry.

Divorce settlement

Nineteen months after their second split, Anderson and his ex-wife Alvina finalized their divorce in September 2023. The actor was ordered to pay more than $200,000 a year in spousal support as per their divorce settlement, with a base amount of $20,000 monthly. The court documents caveat that should the actor's gross income exceed $2,000,000 per year, he is to pay 20% of the gross amount to the estranged mother to his children. Further settlement agreements stated that Anderson was to relinquish his Glock 19 firearm to law enforcement within 30 days of the divorce finalization. Anderson was set to keep their home in Encino and a 2004 Land Rover, while Alvina will keep possession of their home in Houston and their 2022 Mazda. They will also split their cemetery plots located in LA's Inglewood Park Cemetery.

Rape and sexual assault allegations

Anderson was 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 assistant director Wayne Witherspoon of forcibly removing her clothing, photographing her naked body, and sexually assaulting 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 was being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department for another sexual assault allegation. Due to lack of evidence on September 4, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office decided not to press charges against Anderson.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Liberty Heights "Scribbles"
Life "Cookie" Uncredited
Trippin' "Z-Boy"
2000 Romeo Must Die Maurice
Big Momma's House Nolan
Me, Myself & Irene Jamaal Baileygates
Urban Legends: Final Cut Stan Washington
2001 See Spot Run Benny
Exit Wounds T.K. Johnson
Kingdom Come Junior Slocumb
Two Can Play That Game Tony
3 Strikes Guard Uncredited [1]
2002 Barbershop J.D.
2003 Kangaroo Jack Louis Booker
Cradle 2 the Grave Tommy
Malibu's Most Wanted P.J. "Tree"
Scary Movie 3 Mahalik
2004 My Baby's Daddy "G"
Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London Derek Bowman
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle Fast food employee
Barbershop 2 J.D
2005 King's Ransom Malcolm King
Hustle & Flow Key
Hoodwinked! Bill Stork (voice)
2006 Scary Movie 4 Mahalik
The Last Stand Jay
Arthur & the Invisibles Koolomassai (voice)
The Departed Trooper Brown
2007 Transformers Glen Whitmann
2009 Steppin: The Movie Uncle Trevor
2010 The Back-Up Plan Dad
A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures Ray (voice)
2011 Scream 4 Deputy Perkins
The Big Year Bill Clemens
2012 The Power of Few "Junkshow"
2013 Grudge Match Mr. Sandpaper Hands
2014 The Town That Dreaded Sundown Ranger "Lone Wolf" Morales
2016 Hot Bot Agent Frazier
Barbershop: The Next Cut J.D.
2017 Small Town Crime Mr. Banks
The Star Zach (voice)
Ferdinand Bones (voice)
2019 Beats Romelo Reese
2023 You People Barber #1
TBA G20 Post-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1995 In the House Eddie Episode: "Nanna Don't Play"
1996–1998 Hang Time Teddy Brodis 39 episodes
1996 In the House Snacks Episode: "Close Encounters of the Worst Kind"
1998 NYPD Blue Vondell Episode: "Weaver of Hate"
2000 Ally Mcbeal Matthew Vault Episodes: "Prime Suspect" and "The Oddball Parade".
2001 My Wife and Kids Dr. Buchay 2 episodes
The Weakest Link Himself/Celebrity Guest 1 episode
2002 The Proud Family Ray Ray (voice) Episode: "Behind Family Lines"
2003–2004 All About the Andersons Anthony Anderson 16 episodes
2004–2005 The Shield Antwon Mitchell 15 episodes
2005 The Bernie Mac Show Bryan Brown 4 episodes (season 5)
Veronica Mars Percy "Bone" Hamilton Episode: "Lord of the Bling"
Entourage Himself Episode: "Neighbors"
Chappelle's Show Shirtless Man Episode 2.9; "Don't Pitch Me" sketch
2006 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Lucius Blaine Episode: "Fat"
2006–2007 'Til Death Cofeld 6 episodes
2007 K-Ville Marlin Boulet 11 episodes
2008–2010,
2022
Law & Order Detective Kevin Bernard Series regular (seasons 18–21)
2008 Samantha Who Rafael Grace Episode: "Out of Africa"
2010 Golf in America Host 10 episodes
2011 Shameless Marty Fisher Episode: "Three Boys"
Family BrainSurge Himself
2012 Psych Chef Thane Woodson Episode: "True Grits"
Raising Hope Neighbor Episode: "Inside Probe (part 1)"
The Soul Man Sweet Brown Taylor Episode: "Revelations"
2012–2013 Guys with Kids Gary 18 episodes
2010–2013 Treme Derek Watson 4 episodes
2013 Hell's Kitchen Himself Episode: "Winner Chosen"
Appeared alongside his son as chef's table guests in Ja'Nel Witt's kitchen
Real Husbands of Hollywood Episode: "Rock, Paper, Stealers"
Chopped Episode: "Celebrity Holiday Bash"
2013–2014 Hollywood Game Night 2 episodes
2014 Rake Reggie Jarvis Episode: "Three Strikes"
Celebrities Undercover Himself
Eating America with Anthony Anderson Himself/Host Food Network show; also executive producer (8 episodes)
2014–2022 Black-ish Andre "Dre" Johnson, Sr./Narrator Lead role; also executive producer
2015, 2019 Celebrity Family Feud Himself Episodes: "Anderson vs. Braxton", "Black-ish vs. The Goldbergs
2015 Carnival Cravings with Anthony Anderson Himself/Host Food Network show; also executive producer (6 episodes)
2015–2018 Blaze and the Monster Machines Pegwheel (voice) 3 episodes
2016 Lip Sync Battle Himself Episode: "Tracee Ellis Ross vs. Anthony Anderson"
Richie Rich Bulldozah Episode: "Rapper'$ Delight"
The $100,000 Pyramid Himself/Celebrity Guest Episode: "Anthony Anderson vs. Sherri Shepherd"
Doc McStuffins Stanley (voice) Episode: "Welcome to McStuffinsville"
2016–2022 To Tell the Truth Himself/Host
2017–2022 Jimmy Kimmel Live! Himself/Guest Host 3 episodes; fill-in for Jimmy Kimmel.
His mother Doris accompanies Guillermo as sidekick.
2017 The Gong Show Himself/Judge Episode: "Dana Carvey/Tracee Ellis Ross/Anthony Anderson"
Drop the Mic Himself Episode: "Halle Berry vs. James Corden / Anthony Anderson vs. Usher"
Animal Nation with Anthony Anderson Himself/Host 10 episodes
Funny You Should Ask Himself 2 episodes
2018–2023 Grown-ish Andre "Dre" Johnson, Sr. 8 episodes; also, executive producer
2019 Mixed-ish Episode: "Becoming Bow"; also executive producer
Live in Front of a Studio Audience Uncle Henry Jefferson
Himself
Episode: "Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons"
"All in the Family and Good Times"
The Late Late Show with James Corden Himself/Guest Host December 11, 2019
2020 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Himself Guest
#KidsTogether: The Nickelodeon Town Hall Television special
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Guest
Mo Willems: Don't Let the Pigeon Do Storytime! Himself/Guest Host September 17, 2020
2022 Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music & Laughter Himself Television special
Harry & Meghan Cameo
The Drew Barrymore Show Guest
2023 The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Ray Ray (voice) Episode: "The Soul Vibrations"
Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge Himself/Celebrity Guest Episode: "Monster Bug vs. Buckaroo"
The Masked Singer Rubber Ducky Eliminated in first episode
2024 We Are Family Himself/Host
75th Primetime Emmy Awards Television special

Video games

Year Title Voice role
2006 Scarface: The World Is Yours Drug Dealer Brenton
2007 Def Jam: Icon Troy Dollar
2012 Diablo III Monster voices
2014 Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Monster voice effects

Music videos

Year Title Artist Notes
2000 Breakout Foo Fighters promoting Me, Myself, & Irene because the song's featured on the film's soundtrack

Awards and nominations

Association Year Category Work Result Ref.
Black Reel Awards 2002 Best Supporting Actor Two Can Play That Game Nominated
2006 Hustle & Flow Nominated
Boston Society of Film Critics 2006 Best Ensemble The Departed Nominated
Central Ohio Film Critics Association 2007 Best Ensemble The Departed Won
Critics' Choice Television Awards 2015 Best Actor in a Comedy Series Black-ish Nominated
2016 Nominated
2017 Nominated
2018 Nominated
Golden Globe Awards 2017 Best Actor in a Comedy Series Black-ish Nominated
2018 Nominated
Kids' Choice Awards 2016 Favorite TV Actor – Family Show Black-ish Nominated
NAACP Image Awards 2002 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Two Can Play That Game Nominated
2003 Barbershop Nominated
2006 Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series K-Ville Nominated
2009 Law & Order Nominated
2010 Nominated
2011 Nominated
2013 Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series Guys with Kids Nominated
2015 Black-ish Won
2016 Won
2017 Won
Outstanding Host in a News, Talk, Reality, or Variety (Series or Special) BET Awards 2016 (as host) Nominated
2018 Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series Black-ish Won
2019 Won
2020 Won
2021 Won
2022 Won
Primetime Emmy Awards 2015 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Black-ish Nominated
2016 Nominated
Outstanding Comedy Series (as producer) Nominated
2017 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
Outstanding Comedy Series (as producer) Nominated
2018 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
Outstanding Comedy Series (as producer) Nominated
2019 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
2020 Nominated
2021 Nominated
Outstanding Comedy Series (as producer) Nominated
Satellite Awards 2006 Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture The Departed Won
2018 Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy Series Black-ish Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2006 Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Hustle & Flow Nominated
2017 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Black-ish Nominated
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
2018 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
Teen Choice Awards 2004 Choice TV Actor – Comedy All About the Andersons Nominated
2015 Black-ish Nominated
2017 Nominated
2019 Nominated
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association 2002 Best Ensemble Barbershop Won

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