Ernest Anderson

Born: 1915-08-25

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.


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as Porter on Twentieth Century Ltd. (uncredited)
Released: 1959-07-08

Advertising man Roger Thornhill is mistaken for a spy, triggering a deadly cross-country chase.

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See!

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

as Ernie, Ice Cream Vendor at Beach (uncredited)
Released: 1962-10-12

A former child star torments her paraplegic sister in their decaying Hollywood mansion.

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In This Our Life

as Parry Clay
Released: 1942-05-08

An unhappy, self-centered woman runs off with her sister's husband, wreaking havoc and ruining...

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No Way Out

as School Teacher (uncredited)
Released: 1950-08-16

Two hoodlum brothers are brought into a hospital for gunshot wounds, and when one of them dies...

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Buccaneer's Girl

as Footman
Released: 1950-03-01

A New Orleans performer loves a pirate who robs only from the shipowner who ruined his father.

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Backfire

as uncredited
Released: 1950-01-26

When he's discharged from a military hospital, ex-GI Bob Corey goes on a search for his army...

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Lady on a Train

as uncredited
Released: 1945-08-03

While watching from her train window, Nikki Collins witnesses a murder in a nearby building....

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Princess O'Rourke

as Messenger (uncredited)
Released: 1943-10-23

A down-to-earth pilot charms a European princess on vacation in the United States.

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East Side, West Side

as uncredited
Released: 1949-12-22

A vain businessman puts strains on his happy marriage to a rich, beautiful socialite by allowing...

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Without Reservations

as Dining Car Waiter (uncredited)
Released: 1946-05-13

Kit Madden is traveling to Hollywood, where her best-selling novel is to be filmed. Aboard the...

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Riff-Raff

as Wong - Houseboy (uncredited)
Released: 1947-06-28

A private detective foils the plans of villains attempting to take over Panamanian oilfields...

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The Well

as Ralph Crawford
Released: 1951-09-24

In a racially mixed American town, a five-year-old black girl falls unnoticed into a hidden,...

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The Iron Mistress

as Riverboat Cabin Boy
Released: 1952-11-19

In this biopic, Jim Bowie goes to New Orleans, where he falls for Judalon and befriends her...

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Tick... Tick... Tick...

as Homer
Released: 1970-01-09

Racial tensions threaten to explode when a black man is elected sheriff of a small, racially...

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Sport of Kings

as Alf
Released: 1947-06-26

Two brothers from the North try to gain favor in the South after they inherit a horse farm in...

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Three for Bedroom C

as Fred Johnson
Released: 1952-06-26

After beginning their train trip to California, a famous film actress and her daughter discover...

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Lost in the Jungle

as Hans
Released: 1911-10-25

Jan Kruga and his daughter Meta live on a farm in the Transvaal. The nearest neighbor, Sir John...

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