Eddie "Rochester" Anderson

Eddie Anderson

as Rochester c. 1947
Born Edmund Lincoln Anderson
(1905-09-18)September 18, 1905
Oakland, California, U.S.
Died February 28, 1977(1977-02-28) (aged 71)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of death Heart disease
Resting place Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles
Nationality American
Other names Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
Rochester
Occupation Comedian, actor
Years active 1919–1973
Known for Rochester Van Jones on The Jack Benny Program
Spouse(s) Mamie Wiggins Nelson (m. 1932–54)
Eva Simon (m. 1956–73)
Children 4

Edmund Lincoln Anderson (September 18, 1905 – February 28, 1977) was an American comedian and actor.

Anderson got his start in show business as a teenager on the vaudeville circuit. In the early 1930s, he transitioned into films and radio. In 1937, he began his most famous role of Rochester van Jones, usually known simply as "Rochester", the valet of Jack Benny, on his radio show The Jack Benny Program. Anderson became the first African American to have a regular role on a nationwide radio program. When the series moved to television, Anderson continued in the role until the series' end in 1965.

After the series ended, Anderson remained active with guest starring roles on television and voice work in animated series. He was also an avid horse-racing fan who owned several race horses and worked as a horse trainer at the Hollywood Park Racetrack.

Anderson was married twice and had four children. He died of heart disease in February 1977 at the age of 71.

Early life

Anderson was born in Oakland, California. His father, "Big Ed" Anderson, was a minstrel performer, while his mother, Ella Mae, had been a tightrope walker until her career was ended by a fall.[1][2] He described himself as being a descendant of slaves who were able to leave the South during the Civil War through the Underground Railroad.[3] At the age of ten, Anderson and his family moved from Oakland to San Francisco. He left school when he was 14 to work as an errand boy to help his family.[4]

Stage-struck at an early age, he spent much of his free time waiting at stage doors and cutting up on street corners with his friend and brother, Cornelius.[4] Anderson briefly tried being a jockey, but had to give it up when he became too heavy.[5] Anderson started in show business as part of an all African-American revue at age 14; he had previously won an amateur contest at a vaudeville theater in San Francisco.[5] Anderson joined the cast of Struttin' Along in 1923 and was part of Steppin' High both as a dancer and as one of the "Three Black Aces" with his brother, Cornelius, in 1924.[5] He later worked in vaudeville with Cornelius.[1][6] Anderson began adding comedy to his song and dance act in 1926. During one of his vaudeville tours to the East Coast, Anderson first met Jack Benny; the men only exchanged greetings and shook hands.[5]

Anderson's vocal cords were ruptured when he was a youngster selling newspapers in San Francisco. The newsboys believed those who were able to shout the loudest sold the most papers. The permanent damage done to his vocal cords left him with the gravel voice familiar to both radio listeners and television viewers over a course of more than twenty years.[7] Anderson was also a dancer and got his show business start in this way, but it was his uniquely recognizable voice that brought him to stardom.[8][9]

Career

The Jack Benny Program

Jack Benny and Eddie Anderson disembark from a train in Los Angeles in 1943 with a camel

Anderson's first appearance on The Jack Benny Program was on March 28, 1937.[10][11] He was originally hired to play the one-time role of a redcap on the Benny program for a storyline of the show traveling from Chicago to California by train, which coincided with the radio show's actual return to NBC's Radio City West in Hollywood after a brief stint in New York.[3] As Jack Benny and his show staff were traveling to California by train, Benny and his writers had an idea for a comedy sketch that took place on a train with a train porter getting the better of Benny on a fictional trip from Chicago to Los Angeles. Benny liked the idea of the sketch enough to wire California to find someone for the role of the train porter before the show script was actually finished. Benny's first choice for the role was Oscar, the shoeshine man on the Paramount studios lot. Oscar's agent told the Benny show his client would take the job for $300. Benny thought this was too much money and the role went to Eddie Anderson.[10] Anderson, who was working as a comedian in the Los Angeles Central Avenue district at the time, won the role after an audition.[4]

When Benny and cast were preparing to board the train, Anderson and Benny had their first lines together, with the following exchange: Benny: “Hey redcap, carry my grips a little higher; there are some things hanging out.” Anderson: “Yes, sir.” Benny: “Just drop the grips down here until I get my crowd together.” Anderson: “Yes, Mr. Bunny.” Benny: “The name’s Benny.” Anderson: “Well, this is Easter.” There was a recurring gag wherein Benny's inquiries about their arrival in Albuquerque were met with skepticism by Anderson that such a place existed.[12][13]

Five weeks after Anderson's first appearance on the Benny program, he was called for another radio role on the show, this time as a waiter in a restaurant serving the cast.[10] In the sketch, Benny complimented Anderson on his extensive knowledge, to which Anderson replied, "I don't know where Albuquerque is". During this appearance, Anderson made himself at home on the program, joining in the Jell-O commercial with the regulars of the cast. A few weeks later, Anderson was called back once more, now for the part of a "colored fellow" who had a financial disagreement with Benny.[14]

The Benny show received a large amount of mail about Anderson's appearances on the radio program. Benny decided to make him part of the cast as his butler and valet, Rochester van Jones.[15][10] Neither Benny nor Anderson could recall how they came up with the name of Rochester for Anderson's character.[1][3] Anderson always credited Benny for the invention of the Rochester van Jones name, saying that the name was copyrighted and that Benny later sold the rights to him for a dollar.[16] When Anderson became a regular member of the Benny show cast, he became the first African American to have a regular role on a nationwide radio program.[17]


Most of the cast: Eddie Anderson, Dennis Day, Phil Harris, Mary Livingstone, Jack Benny, Don Wilson, and Mel Blanc.

Subsequent episodes gave different "origin stories" for Rochester. One radio show guest starred Amos 'n' Andy, where the skit showed that Rochester used to work for them as a taxi cab driver. Benny and Rochester collide cars, in which Benny is clearly at fault (as Rochester's car was way up on a greaserack). Benny claimed it was Rochester’s fault and threatens to sue. The racial inequality of the respective parties is explicitly referenced, and Amos 'n' Andy essentially give Rochester to Benny to settle the matter out of court.[18] (This same episode included Mary Livingstone's infamous blooper at the very end of the show - mispronouncing "grease rack" as "grass reek.") A later television show explained that Benny met Rochester when the latter was a porter on a railroad train; Benny is responsible for Rochester being fired and then hires him as a valet to make it up to him.[19]

Benny's chief problem with Anderson was his frequently being late for the show. Benny attempted to instill punctuality in Anderson by fining him $50 each time he arrived late at the studio.[20] Anderson had a habit of losing track of time, especially when he was talking with someone. Benny enlisted some of the cast members to drop in on him just before travel dates to make sure he would be ready to go on time. Most of the time he was not, and there were times the other cast members would need to leave without Anderson with them.[21]

On one occasion when the entire Benny show was scheduled to appear in New York, Anderson, who had been out late the night before departure day, could not be roused by Mamie on time. The Andersons arrived at the Los Angeles train station just as the Super Chief pulled out with the rest of the radio program's cast on it. Breaking the speed limit with an LAPD motorcycle squad escort, Anderson arrived at the Pasadena train station in time to catch his train from there.[22]

Popularity

The Rochester character became immensely popular. In 1940, Anderson was invited to a Harvard University smoker, but was detained by students from rival Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The comedian was met at the airport by MIT students who claimed they were on the Harvard committee. When it was discovered why Anderson was late to the Harvard gathering, a riot broke out as students from the two schools began fighting over the incident.[23][24] Especially after World War II Rochester was second only to Benny himself in popularity and almost always received the most enthusiastic applause on his entrances and exits.[25] Although he usually did not appear in the opening minutes of the shows, he began to surpass Mary Livingstone as Jack Benny’s main foil, especially as Livingstone began to appear less frequently due to stage fright.

The Jack Benny Program explicitly referenced Rochester’s popularity on its first show on CBS:[26]

Amos: That Mr. Benny is supposed to be a big comedian.... He didn’t say nothin’ funny.

– Applause –

Andy: Well. it's just like I told ya’, he aint nothin’ without Rochester.

– Applause –

Benny: Were you boys talking to me?

Amos, Andy: No, sir. No sir. We didn’t say nothing.

Jack Benny and Rochester had numerous running gags, often based on Rochester’s gambling, attempts to evade work, desire to go to Central Avenue to drink, and Benny’s business ventures, or sidelines (selling sandwiches, running a laundry service, etc.).

Mayor of Central Avenue

Ticket for Elks' Club reception for Anderson as Mayor of Central Avenue, 1940

While Anderson was born and raised in the Oakland area, he came to the Los Angeles African-American community in the 1930s in search of work in films. At the time of his success on the Benny radio show, the community thought of him as one of their own and was proud of his rise to stardom. The reality of an African-American mayor of Los Angeles would not come in this era; for many years, those living in the Central Avenue area had held mock elections, with the winner being known as "the Mayor of Central Avenue". The title holder had both the right and the duty to speak up about issues affecting the local African-American community. California Eagle readers opened their newspapers on May 23, 1940. to find Eddie "Rochester" Anderson asking for their votes for Mayor of Central Avenue.[27]

From his headquarters at the Dunbar Hotel, Anderson conducted his campaign mainly based on real issues, one of them being a need for African Americans to serve their country as aviators. He was deeply committed to this issue, taking flying lessons and lecturing with a Tuskegee Institute representative about this need. After Anderson announced his run for mayor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt also addressed the aviation issue, asking that the nation commit itself to building an air force. On Election Day, Anderson won the right to claim the title.[28]

Progression of race relations

Anderson's role as a servant was common for black leads in the popular media of that era, such as Ethel Waters in Beulah. The stereotyping of black characters was a standard practice in the entertainment business for generations, referencing minstrel shows, where white actors in blackface reinforced low stereotypes of laziness, ignorance, illiteracy, weakness for drinking, gambling, and carousing, and general unfitness for any position of responsibility. Jack Benny’s November 1, 1936 broadcast was entitled Doc Benny's Minstrel Show, in which the entire cast performed a minstrel show in a "black" dialect. They redid Doc Benny's Minstrel Show on March 3, 1942; the subsequent performance demonstrates the progression of race relations.[29][30][31]

Anderson with Jack Benny radio show cast, 1946

According to Jack Benny's posthumous autobiography, Sunday Nights at Seven, the tone of racial humor surrounding Rochester declined following World War II, once the enormity of The Holocaust was revealed. After the war, Benny and his writers made a conscious effort to remove all stereotypical aspects from the Rochester character. The changing times became very apparent in 1948, when a 1941 script was re-used on The Jack Benny Program. The script including several African-American stereotypes — for example, a reference to Rochester carrying a razor — and prompted some listeners, who were unaware the script was reused, to send in angry letters protesting the stereotypes. Thereafter, Benny insisted that his writers guarantee that no racial jokes or references should be heard on his show. Benny often gave key guest-star appearances to African-American performers such as Louis Armstrong and The Ink Spots, and Benny himself made numerous personal appeals on his show, asking listeners to reject racism in favor of fraternity and peaceful relations between all races of the world.[32]

The relationship between Rochester and Benny became more complex and familiar as the popularity of Rochester's character grew, with Rochester's role becoming both less stereotypical (in early episodes he carried a switchblade) and less subservient (though he remained a butler). As a butler he was subservient to the entire cast and was addressed as Rochester, but addressed the other characters as Mr. and Miss. Although Dennis Day's character is much younger and an idiot, Rochester respectfully addressed him as Mr. Day. Rochester often outwitted Benny, by getting Benny to mop the floor, for example.[33][34]

The "Rochester" character retained many of the stereotypes (lazy, gambler, drinker), but they became a part of his character, disassociated from his race. Even though some of the humor was stereotypical, it was always done so that the racial element of the joke came from Anderson and no one else.[35] When they get to Yosemite to go skiing, Jack says "Don't wander off now, you're not used to being in the woods, you'll get lost in all the snow." Rochester replies, "Who me?" In the same episode, Rochester complains that Jack wants him to make up for the lack of a radio in their car by singing. "And at 8:00 he wants me to do 'Amos and Andy'," said Anderson. He pauses at this point as the audience bursts into laughter, then continues: "and I ain't no good at that blackface stuff!" — and the laughter escalates.[36][37]

Benny was often protective of Anderson, and this led to conflict. For instance, in World War II, Benny toured with his show, but Rochester did not, because discrimination in the armed forces would have required separate living quarters. However, during performances of the radio program staged before armed forces audiences at bases and military hospitals, the appearance of Rochester routinely drew enthusiastic applause that arguably often outstripped that received by other members of the cast, more so than in civilian audiences.

In 1943, when Benny brought his entire radio show cast to Canada at his own expense to perform for those in the various branches of the Canadian services, Anderson and his wife received a warm welcome.[38] Stateside, an incident was defused by Benny when, according to reporter Fredric W. Slater, Rochester was denied a room at the hotel where Benny and his staff were planning to stay in Saint Joseph, Missouri. When it was announced that Anderson could not stay there, Benny replied: "If he doesn't stay here, neither do I." The hotel allowed Anderson to remain as a guest.[39]

Anderson, as Rochester, demonstrates to John Forsythe how Benny pinches a penny on Bachelor Father, 1962

It was not the only time a hotel refused Anderson a room. Soon after he became part of the permanent show cast, the program went on location to New York. When a couple from the South complained about staying in the same hotel as Anderson, the hotel manager tried to get him to find a room somewhere else. Hilliard Marks, the show's producer and also Jack Benny's brother-in-law, told the manager that Anderson would leave the hotel the next day. When he did, Jack Benny and the entire radio show cast and crew totaling 44 people, joined Anderson in checking out of the hotel.[40]

Among the most highly paid performers of his time, Anderson invested wisely and became extremely wealthy. Until the 1950s, Anderson was the highest paid African-American actor, receiving an annual salary of $100,000.[41][42] In 1962, Anderson was on Ebony magazine's list of the 100 wealthiest African-Americans.[43] Despite this, he was so strongly identified with the "Rochester" role that many listeners of the radio program mistakenly persisted in the belief that he was Benny's actual valet. One such listener drove Benny to distraction when he sent him a scolding letter concerning Rochester's alleged pay, and then sent another letter to Anderson, which urged him to sue Benny.[44] In reality, Anderson did well enough to have his own valet.[45]

The fact that Anderson was frequently seen at Benny's home may have helped perpetuate the idea that he was a valet to Benny. Benny held the first rehearsal of his weekly radio show at his home in Beverly Hills. Those riding the stars' homes tour buses in the morning often saw Anderson sitting on Benny's front steps, drinking from a quart of milk while waving and calling "Yoo Hoo!" to those on the tour bus. Anderson would not start rehearsal until after Benny's milkman arrived with some of his breakfast.[4]

When Benny brought his show to television in 1951, Anderson as Rochester remained part of the cast until the television show left the air after the 1964-1965 season.[46] [47] In 1953, Anderson appeared as Rochester in an episode of The Milton Berle Show with the storyline being that Berle wanted to hire him away from Benny.[48] He appeared on an episode of Bachelor Father in 1962 again as Rochester, where the story was that the Gregg household had borrowed him, hoping some of the thrifty habits he learned working for Benny might cut their own expenses.[49]

The high esteem in which Anderson and Benny held each other was evident. During a February 1958 taping of a Shower of Stars special which was to celebrate Benny's "40th birthday", Anderson suffered a mild heart attack. A Life magazine photo taken at the rehearsal after Anderson was taken to the hospital, shows a concerned Benny, whose thoughts were not about the television show, but about his friend.[50][51] After the television show went off the air, it was four years before the pair worked together again. Though Benny was frequently working out of town during that time, he and Anderson still kept in touch; Anderson said, "We always exchange Christmas gifts and he's not as stingy as he pretends to be."[47]

On the 1968 special Jack Benny's Bag, Benny asked Anderson to work with him on a new television series. The plots brought up by Benny were of recent or current television shows, with Anderson reminding him that this had already been done. Benny then asked Anderson about coming back to work for him as his valet. Anderson replied, "Hold it, Blue Eyes, we don't do that any more."[16] Upon Benny's death in 1974, a tearful Anderson, interviewed for television, spoke of Benny with admiration and respect.[52][53]

Anderson greets two visitors at his dressing room door

Films

Anderson's film career debuted with George Cukor's What Price Hollywood? (1932), as 'James, Max's Butler', and appeared in dozens of Hollywood films through the 1930s and 1940s. In July 1939, Anderson appeared on screen with radio boss Jack Benny for the first time in the film Man About Town. The duo appeared in a few other feature films, including Buck Benny Rides Again (1940).

In addition to his role with Benny, Anderson appeared in over sixty motion pictures, including The Green Pastures as Noah (1936), Jezebel (1938) as 'Gros Bat', Capra's You Can't Take It with You (1938) as 'Donald', and 'Uncle Peter' in 1939's Gone with the Wind, among many others.[1][54][55] He reprised his 'Rochester' role in Topper Returns, this time as Cosmo Topper's valet (though he jokes about Mr. Benny in the film). He had a rare lead role in the all-star black Hollywood musical, Vincente Minnelli's 1943 debut film, Cabin in the Sky, giving a memorable performance as Joseph 'Little Joe' Jackson. The 1945 version of the film Brewster's Millions, in which Anderson was one of the stars, was banned in some Southern areas. The Memphis Board of Motion Picture Censors banned the film from being shown there, saying about Anderson, "(he) has an important role and has too familiar a way about him.", and about the film itself, "(it) presents too much social equality and racial mixture."[56]

Anderson, Benny, and the remaining cast members of The Jack Benny Program (Mary Livingstone, Don Wilson, and Mel Blanc) also provided their voices to the 1959 Warner Bros. cartoon The Mouse that Jack Built, directed by Robert McKimson. This cartoon portrays rodent versions of the show's characters. The real Jack Benny appears as himself at the end. Anderson's last feature film performance was as one of the taxi drivers in Stanley Kramer's 1963 classic comedy, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, in which Benny made a cameo appearance (though they did not appear together). Anderson was elected into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1975.[57]

Other performances

Anderson appeared as a mystery guest on the television game show What's My Line? in 1952. Since the panel was blindfolded, Dorothy Kilgallen's question, "Are you a brunette?", brought a roar of laughter from the audience; Anderson laughed so hard he was not able to reply to the question.[58] In 1957, Hallmark Hall of Fame presented The Green Pastures, giving Anderson the chance to reprise his film role as Noah on television; the program was nominated for an Emmy Award.[59]

Anderson also appeared on episodes of The Dick Powell Show, It Takes a Thief, and Love, American Style.[60] In the early 1970s Anderson was the voice of cartoon character Bobby Joe Mason in Harlem Globe Trotters and The New Scooby-Doo Movies.[60] By 1972, he attempted a comeback with a nightclub act in Houston which led to being cast in Broadway revival of Good News, but was forced to resign due to bad health.[61]

Other business ventures

Though Anderson had roles in films such as The Green Pastures and was a dancer at the Cotton Club in Culver City, California when he first came to Hollywood, his real success did not arrive until he became a regular on The Jack Benny Program. Not long after he became a regular cast member on the Benny show, Anderson opened a nightclub in the Central Avenue section of Los Angeles. Anderson's nightclub was short-lived because he was too generous with his friends. The club was picking up the tab for too many guests and Anderson was forced to close the nightclub not long after it opened.[10]

During World War II, Anderson was the owner of the Pacific Parachute Company, an African-American owned and operated business that made parachutes for the Army and Navy.[62] [63][64] He also managed a boxer, Billy Metcalfe, in the 1940s.[4][65]

Anderson had an astute business sense; in 1948, he saw the value and potential of Las Vegas as an entertainment center. With the idea of building and operating a hotel and casino there where African-Americans would be welcome, he asked for investors to join him in the venture. Anderson failed to attract enough people willing to invest, and he was unable to complete the plan. When the Moulin Rouge Hotel, an integrated hotel and casino, opened in 1955, Anderson was brought in for its opening. He expressed regret at the thought that the hotel might have been his if he had the further financial backing.[66]

Personal life

Marriages and children

In 1932, Anderson married Mamie (Wiggins) Nelson.[67][68] She was the daughter of Alonzo and Annie Wiggins of Eastman, GA.[69] Mamie died on August 5, 1954, at the age of 43, following a two-year battle with cancer. At the time of her death she and Anderson had been married for 22 years[70][71] and her son Billy (Anderson's stepson) was playing professional football for the Chicago Bears. Billy was born George Billy Nelson to Mamie Wiggins and her previous husband on March 8, 1929, in Los Angeles, CA[72] When Mamie married Eddie Anderson, Billy was adopted and took the surname Anderson.[73][74]

Following Mamie's death Anderson married Evangela "Eva" Simon on February 8, 1956, at Kingman, Arizona. The couple had three children: daughters Stephanie and Evangela, Jr. ("Eva"), and son Edmund, Jr.[75][76] Simon and Anderson divorced in 1973 with Anderson retaining custody of his minor son and daughter.[1][77]

Home

Postcard view of Anderson's home, c.1940s

Like many of the African-Americans in the entertainment industry, Anderson made his home in the West Adams district of Los Angeles. In previous times, the district had been home to doctors, lawyers, and railroad barons. In the Depression era, the area had fallen into hard times, with many residents needing to either sell their homes or rent out rooms in them. By the 1940s, the African-American entertainment community began purchasing homes in the district, nicknaming it "Sugar Hill". Some property owners reacted to their new neighbors by adding restrictive covenants to their deeds. The covenants either prohibited African-Americans from purchasing a property or inhabiting it once purchased. The practice was declared illegal by the US Supreme Court in 1948.[78]

Since Anderson wanted to build a home designed by Paul Williams, he was limited in his choice of a site for it by these restrictive covenants. As a result, his large and luxurious home with a swimming pool where the neighborhood children were always welcome, stands in an area of smaller, bungalow-style homes. The street was renamed because 'Rochester' lived on it.[79]

Hobbies

Anderson built model airplanes and racing cars, but also designed a life-size sports car for himself in 1951. Anderson combined a Cadillac engine under the hood and a sleek, low-slung exterior to create a car he both drove and exhibited at various sports car shows throughout the country.[80][81][82]

Anderson, who was the skipper of his own cabin cruiser, was missing and feared lost at sea in February, 1946. When the boat developed engine trouble, Anderson and his two friends did everything sailors are expected to do to signal an SOS. They used mirrors, built fires, used lanterns and flew the ship's flag upside-down to indicate they were in distress. They spent the night adrift until a fishing boat finally spotted them and towed them into Los Angeles harbor. Anderson did not realize he had caused great concern until he heard a news story on the radio that described the search for him as still continuing.[83] On the following Sunday, Anderson was back on the "Lucky Strike Program," and joked with Jack Benny about the incident. ("That's the first time I ever had a 'lost weekend' on nothing but water!")

Horse racing

Anderson with Burnt Cork before his Kentucky Derby run in 1943.

Anderson was the owner of racehorses.[84] The best known of them was Burnt Cork, a Thoroughbred that ran in the 1943 Kentucky Derby, making him the first African-American owner of a horse entered into the Derby.[85][86] Having been given the following day off by Benny, Anderson and his wife, Mamie, traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to see their horse run in the Derby. Since segregation in public accommodations was practiced there, the Andersons were invited to be guests at the home of Mae Street Kidd, a noted female African-American Kentucky politician.[87][88]

Both before and after the race, Anderson was accused of entering his horse in the race strictly for publicity purposes for himself, especially after Burnt Cork finished last. Those making the statements believed this tarnished the name and history of the race. Jack Cuddy, a United Press International sports columnist, pointed out in his column that around the same time Burnt Cork ran last for Anderson, King George VI's horse, Tipstaff, finished last at Ascot without any of the comments that surrounded Anderson.[89]

When Burnt Cork won an important race, Anderson came to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for work dressed as a Kentucky colonel; he also insisted on being called "Colonel Rochester".[1]

After the Benny television show had left the air, Anderson turned back to his love of horses and racing, working as a trainer at the Hollywood Park Racetrack until shortly before his death.[25][90] He acquired much of his knowledge when one of his racing horses, Up and Over, was injured in a fall; it was suggested that the horse be euthanized due to the extent of those injuries. Anderson refused this and said he would take care of his injured animal. He spent extensive periods of time at the Paramount Pictures studio library, reading everything in their collection on equine anatomy. This led Anderson to a veterinary surgeon who was interested in helping Up and Over; together the two men brought the thoroughbred back on his feet again.[91]

Death

Anderson died of heart disease on February 28, 1977 at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Los Angeles, California.[92][93] He was buried in Los Angeles in historic Evergreen Cemetery, the oldest existing cemetery in the city.[94]

Legacy

In a last philanthropic gesture, it was his intention to will his sizable home after his death.[80] The house at 1932 Rochester Cir. in Los Angeles, was to be used to help reform substance abusers. Three decades after his death, The Eddie Rochester Anderson Foundation in Los Angeles ("The Rochester House") helps troubled men transition into society and is an at-risk substance sober-living residence for homeless substance abusers. The Rochester House opened its doors at several neighboring properties in 1989, and is dedicated in memory of Eddie Anderson.[95]

Anderson's son, Eddie, Jr. later established The Eddie "Rochester" Anderson Foundation.[96]

For his contribution to the radio industry, Eddie Anderson has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio, at 6513 Hollywood Blvd, in Hollywood. In 2001, Anderson was posthumously inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.[97][98]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1932 What Price Hollywood? James - Max's Butler Uncredited
1932 Hat Check Girl Walter Uncredited
1932 False Faces Chauffeur Uncredited
1933 Billion Dollar Scandal Railroad Steward Uncredited
1933 From Hell to Heaven Sam's Pal Uncredited
1933 Terror Aboard Seaman Uncredited
1933 I Love That Man Charlie, Porter Uncredited
1934 Behold My Wife Chauffeur Uncredited
1934 The Gay Bride Second Bootblack Uncredited
1935 Transient Lady Noxious
1935 His Night Out Bellhop Uncredited
1936 The Music Goes 'Round Lucifer
1936 Show Boat Young Black Man Uncredited
1936 The Green Pastures Noah
1936 Star for a Night Maid's Boyfriend Uncredited
1936 Two in a Crowd Swipe Uncredited
1936 Three Men on a Horse Moses, the Elevator Operator
1936 Rainbow on the River Doctor Uncredited
1936 Mysterious Crossing Hotel Porter Uncredited
1937 Love Is News Man Getting Marriage License Uncredited
1937 Bill Cracks Down Chauffeur
1937 When Love Is Young Taxi Driver Uncredited
1937 Melody for Two Exodus Johnson
1937 Public Wedding Man Carrying Coat Uncredited
1937 White Bondage Old Glory Uncredited
1937 Wake Up and Live Elevator Operator Uncredited
1937 Reported Missing Porter Uncredited
1937 One Mile from Heaven Henry Bangs
1937 On Such a Night Henry Clay, Fentridge Handyman
1937 Over the Goal William
1938 Reckless Living Dreamboat
1938 Jezebel Gros Bat
1938 Gold Diggers in Paris Doorman
1938 You Can't Take It With You Donald
1938 Five of a Kind Hotel Doorman Uncredited
1938 Exposed William
1938 Thanks for the Memory Janitor
1938 Strange Faces William
1938 While New York Sleeps Janitor Uncredited
1938 Kentucky Groom
1938 Going Places George - a Groom
1939 Honolulu Washington, Mason's Hollywood Servant
1939 You Can't Cheat an Honest Man Rochester
1939 You Can't Get Away with Murder Sam Uncredited
1939 Man About Town Rochester
1939 Gone With the Wind Uncle Peter - Her Coachman
1940 Buck Benny Rides Again Rochester Van Jones
1940 Love Thy Neighbor Rochester Van Jones
1941 Topper Returns Chauffeur
1941 Kiss the Boys Goodbye George
1941 Birth of the Blues Louey Credited as Rochester
1942 Star Spangled Rhythm Rochester in "Sharp as a Tack" Number Credited as Rochester
1942 Tales of Manhattan Rev. Lazarus
1943 The Meanest Man in the World Shufro
1943 Cabin in the Sky Little Joe Jackson
1943 Calling All Kids Buckwheat Voice, Short film
1943 What's Buzzin', Cousin? Rochester
1944 Broadway Rhythm Eddie
1945 Brewster's Millions Jackson
1945 I Love a Bandleader Newton H. Newton Credited as Rochester
1945 The Sailor Takes a Wife Harry
1946 The Show-Off Eddie
1959 The Mouse That Jack Built Rochester Voice, Credited as Rochester
1963 It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Cab Driver
1970 Watermelon Man Drugstore Soda Jerk
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1950-1965 The Jack Benny Program Rochester Van Jones 176 episodes
1952 What's My Line? Himself / Rochester Mystery Guest
1957 The Red Skelton Hour Rochester Van Jones Episode: " Freddie Finds a Headlight"
1957 Hallmark Hall of Fame Noah Episode: "The Green Pastures"
1959 The Green Pastures Noah Television film
1962 Bachelor Father Rochester Van Jones Segment: "Pinch That Penny"
1963 The Dick Powell Show Eddie Anderson Episode: "Last of the Private Eyes"
1968 It Takes a Thief Concierge Episode: "A Thief Is a Thief"
1969 Love, American Style Willie Segment: "Love and the Hustler"
1970 Harlem Globetrotters Bobby Joe Mason Voice, 22 episodes
1972-1973 The New Scooby-Doo Movies Bobby Joe Mason Voice, 3 episodes

See also

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, 71, Dies". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. March 1, 1977. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  2. ↑ Peterson, p. 7
  3. 1 2 3 "'Rochester' of Jack Benny Show Dies Of Heart Attack". Ludington Daily News. March 1, 1977. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Brown, Earl (November 1941). Yeah, Man Friday. Modern Screen. pp. 38, 39, 82, 83. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Sampson, p. 1373
  6. ↑ Peterson, p. 7
  7. ↑ "Eddie Anderson Dead at Age 71". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. March 1, 1977. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  8. ↑ Smith, p. 16,
  9. ↑ Gates, p. 7
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Baskette, Kirtley (January 1940). Rochester Van Jones Rides High. Radio and Television Mirror. pp. 31, 49. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Rochester's First Radio Appearance". kensterner.com. (Windows Media Player)
  12. ↑ Boskin, pp. 176-177
  13. ↑ "Eddie Anderson". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  14. ↑ Boskin, pp. 177-178
  15. ↑ Boskin, pp. 177-178
  16. 1 2 Humphrey, Hal (November 10, 1968). "Rochester Is Back". The Victoria Advocate. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  17. ↑ Smith, pp. 16-17
  18. ↑ "How Jack Found Rochester". NBC Radio. 11 March 1945. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  19. ↑ "How Jack Met Rochester". CBS Television. January 29, 1956. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  20. ↑ Bogle 2009, "Man About Town"
  21. ↑ "Rochester 'Windy' Guy". The Pittsburgh Press. February 25, 1945. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  22. ↑ Bogle 2009, "Man About Town"
  23. ↑ "Riot Over Rochester". Prescott Evening Journal. May 6, 1940. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  24. ↑ "Rochester 'Kidnapped' On Way to Harvard". The Afro American. May 11, 1940. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  25. 1 2 "Benny's 'Rochester' Dies at 71". The Pittsburgh Press. March 1, 1977. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  26. ↑ "Jack Benny's First CBS Show". kensterner.com. (Windows Media Player)
  27. ↑ Smith, pp. 18-19
  28. ↑ Smith, pp. 18-19
  29. ↑ Gates, p. 7
  30. ↑ Boskin, pp. 175-187
  31. ↑ "Doc Benny's Minstrel Show". kensterner.com. 1943. (Windows Media Player)
  32. ↑ "Jack Benny". kensterner.com. 1945. (Windows Media Player)
  33. ↑ Smith, p. 17
  34. ↑ Boskin, pp. 175-187
  35. ↑ Gates, p. 7
  36. ↑ Smith, p. 17
  37. ↑ Boskin, pp. 183-187
  38. ↑ "Army Band to Hail Jack Benny; Forum Show for Services Only". The Montreal Gazette. February 8, 1943. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
  39. ↑ "He Broke the Racial Bar". St. Joseph News-Press. March 4, 1977. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  40. ↑ Gerald Nachman, "The Anticomedian"
  41. ↑ Gates, p. 7
  42. ↑ Bogle 2009, "Man About Town"
  43. ↑ "The 100 Richest Negros". Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. 17 (7): 135. May 1962. ISSN 0012-9011.
  44. ↑ Gates, p. 7
  45. ↑ "Rochester Stole First Benny Show". The Afro American. May 2, 1942. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  46. ↑ "Rochester on New TV Show". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 1 (2): 60. November 8, 1951. ISSN 0021-5996.
  47. 1 2 "'Rochester', Jack Benny Reunited". Washington Afro-American. November 12, 1968. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  48. ↑ Rea, E.B. (March 24, 1953). "Encores and Echoes". Washington Afro-American. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  49. ↑ "Pinch That Penny". IMDB. January 30, 1962. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  50. ↑ "Sad event before a party and a lonely jokester". Life. Time, Inc. 44 (8): 108. February 24, 1958. ISSN 0024-3019.
  51. ↑ "Jack Benny Celebrates His 40th Birthday". IMDb. 13 February 1958. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  52. ↑ Pacheco, pp. 94-96
  53. ↑ "Shock and Sadness Mark Benny's Death". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. December 28, 1974. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  54. ↑ Pacheco, pp. 94-96
  55. ↑ "Eddie Anderson Photo Still-Uncle Peter". Harry Ransom Center-University of Texas. Retrieved August 21, 2011.
  56. ↑ "Entertainment Proposition". Time. April 16, 1945. Retrieved July 23, 2011. (subscription required)
  57. ↑ Peterson, p. 7
  58. ↑ "Question of the Week". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 7 (7): 31. December 11, 1952. ISSN 0021-5996.
  59. ↑ "NBC's 'Green Pastures' Nominated for Emmy Award". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 13 (22): 60. April 3, 1958. ISSN 0021-5996.
  60. 1 2 "Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson". IMDB. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  61. ↑ Wilson, Earl (October 18, 1973). "It Happened Last Night". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  62. ↑ "Lots More Negroes Are Needed In War Plants". Life. Time, Inc. 12 (24): 88. June 15, 1942. ISSN 0024-3019.
  63. ↑ "Unity Severs Race Barriers". The Norwalk Hour. March 27, 1942. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  64. ↑ "Colored-Managed War Plant Employs Girls of All Races". The Windsor Daily Star. March 28, 1942. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  65. ↑ "Hudson's Foe Wised Up to His Style". San Jose News. November 21, 1940. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
  66. ↑ "Talking About". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 8 (6): 47. June 16, 1955. ISSN 0021-5996.
  67. ↑ Gates, p. 7
  68. ↑ "California, County Marriages, 1850-1952". FamilySearch. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  69. ↑ "United States Census, 1920". Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  70. ↑ "The Week's Census". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 6 (15): 15. August 19, 1954.
  71. ↑ "Hollywood Stars Attend Rites For Rochester's Wife". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 6 (16): 58. August 26, 1954. ISSN 0021-5996.
  72. ↑ "California, Birth Index, 1905-1995". FamilySearch. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  73. ↑ "Rochester's Wife Dies". Baltimore Afro-American. August 10, 1954. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  74. ↑ "Wife of Jack Benny's 'Rochester' Dies". Reading Eagle. August 6, 1954. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  75. ↑ Gates, p. 7
  76. ↑ "Second Child for Rochester". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 13 (14): 59. February 6, 1958. ISSN 0021-5996.
  77. ↑ "Unhappy Marital Differences". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 44 (11): 40. June 7, 1973. ISSN 0021-5996.
  78. ↑ "West Adams History". westadamsheightssugarhill.com. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  79. ↑ Bogle 2009, "Man About Town"
  80. 1 2 "A tribute to Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson". Washington Afro-American. March 8, 1977. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  81. ↑ "Rochester Designs Own Speedster". Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines. 95 (6): 93. June 1951. ISSN 0032-4558.
  82. ↑ "Fabulous Cars Of the Stars". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company: 60. March 12, 1953. ISSN 0021-5996.
  83. ↑ "Rochester Makes Port". St. Joseph News-Press. February 14, 1946. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  84. ↑ "Colored Men Hold Paying Turf Jobs". Baltimore Afro-American. July 27, 1943. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  85. ↑ Bolus, pp. 197-198
  86. ↑ "Burnt Cork in Derby No Joke to Rochester". Milwaukee Journal. April 25, 1943. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  87. ↑ Hopper, Hedda (April 27, 1943). "Hedda Hopper in Hollywood". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  88. ↑ "Burnt Cork in Kentucky Derby". University of Kentucky Library. 1943. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  89. ↑ Cuddy, Jack (May 19, 1943). "McKecknie Is Sure Reds Are on Way Up". The Victoria Advocate. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  90. ↑ Scott, Vernon (November 15, 1968). "Benny, Rochester are Reunited for Saturday Video Special". Merced Sun-Star. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  91. ↑ Bogle 2009, "Man About Town"
  92. ↑ "Eddie Anderson, 71, Benny's Rochester. Gravel-Voiced Comedian Noted for 'What's That, Boss?' Line Played Valet for More Than 30 Years.". New York Times. 1 March 1977. Retrieved May 24, 2008. Eddie (Rochester) Anderson, the gravel voiced comedian who played Jack Benny's valet for more than 30 years, died yesterday at the Motion Picture Country House and Hospital in Los Angeles. He was 71 years old and had been under treatment for a heart ailment since December.(subscription required)
  93. ↑ "Died". Time. March 14, 1977. Retrieved May 24, 2008. Eddie Anderson, 71, who played the late Jack Benny's hoarse, heckling valet Rochester on radio, TV, and film for more than 30 years; of heart disease; in Los Angeles. In 1937, Anderson made what was supposed to be a one-shot appearance on the Benny broadcast; the audience loved his drollery and he became a member of the cast. Anderson constantly deflated Benny's pomposity with a high-pitched, incredulous, "What's that, boss?"(subscription required)
  94. ↑ Keister, p. 93
  95. ↑ "Eddie Rochester Anderson Foundation". Eddie Rochester Anderson Foundation. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  96. ↑ "Eddie Anderson Jr. Profile". Google. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
  97. ↑ "Hollywood Walk of Fame-Eddie Anderson". LA Times. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  98. ↑ "Eddie Anderson". Radio Hall of Fame. Retrieved 20 July 2011.

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