Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson was born on September 18, 1905
in Oakland, California. On February 28, 1977 Eddie 'Rochester'
Anderson passed away in Los Angeles, California from a heart
ailment.
As a 12 year old boy Eddie Anderson overstrained his vocal
cords hawking paper as a newsboy in his home town, which explains
his inimitable rasp.This rasp developed a gravel voice early
in life which would become his trademark to fame.
Singing for pennies in the hotel lobby Eddie joined his older
brother Cornelius as members of THE THREE BLACK ACES during
his vaudeville years. Eddie Anderson was inducted into the
Radio Hall of Fame in 2001.
In 1936 Eddie Anderson began to appear in films, his best
being the featured role of NOAH in THE GREEN PASTURES. Comedy
star Jack Benny really put Eddie Anderson on the map, on his
radio program in 1937. On Benny's show it was heard as Benny's
personal valet, Rochester Van Jones, and the role became so
popular that he became billed as Eddie Rochester Anderson.
Concentrating on his partnership with Jack Benny, Eddie following
him into television and working with him for a total of 23
years. Anderson was in three movies with Benny: MAN ABOUT
TOWN (1939), BUCK BENNY RIDES AGAIN (1940) and LOVE THY NEIGHBOR
(1940).
In 1963 Eddie Rochester Anderson returned to the screen for
IT'S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD, this would be his last film.
His poor health forced him into retirement.
Eddie Rochester Anderson's other notable credits include...
THE SHOW OFF (1946)
BREWSTER'S MILLIONS (1945)
THE MEANEST MAN IN THE WORLD (1943)
BIRTH OF THE BLUES (1941)
BUCK BENNT RIDES AGAIN (1940)
YOU CAN'T CHEAT AN HONEST MAN (1939)
GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)
RECKLESS LIVING (1938)
RAINBOW ON THE RIVER (1936)
