Eddie Anderson became one of the highest-paid entertainers of his era and while he often played stereotypical roles, Anderson managed to bring a dignified air to his characters. The Oakland, Calif. native was born September 18, 1905.
Edmund Lincoln Anderson was born into a family of entertainers. His mother was a tightrope walker whose career ended early because of a fall and a father who worked as a minstrel show performer. At 14, Anderson and his brother Cornelius became a popular vaudeville act and began touring.
Anderson’s big break came in 1937 after he made his debut on “The Jack Benny Program” radio show. His distinctive voice, which he earned after damaging his vocal cords as a newspaper seller as a boy, allowed him to stand out. (READ MORE)
