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.

Most Known For

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre

as Trooper Marshall

Run for Your Life

as The Jury Foreman

Four Star Playhouse

as George

Riff-Raff

as Wong - Houseboy (uncredited)

North by Northwest

as Porter on Twentieth Century Ltd. (uncredited)

Without Reservations

as Dining Car Waiter (uncredited)

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

as Ernie

Buccaneer's Girl

as Mme. Brizar's Footman (uncredited)

No Way Out

as School Teacher (uncredited)

In This Our Life

as Parry Clay

The Legend of Lylah Clare

as Hot Dog Man (uncredited)

Backfire

as James - Party Servant 9 (uncredited)

Lady on a Train

The Mississippi Gambler

as Bellhop (uncredited)

… tick… tick… tick…

as Homer

The Iron Mistress

as Riverboat Cabin Boy

The Well

as Ralph Crawford

East Side, West Side

Princess O'Rourke

as Messenger (uncredited)

Three for Bedroom C

as Fred Johnson