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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.

Known For

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0.0

Uncle Stan

Last of the Good Guys

1978

6.5

Homer

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

1970

5.9

Hot Dog Man (uncredited)

The Legend of Lylah Clare

1968

7.9

Ernie

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

1962

8.0

Porter on Twentieth Century Ltd. (uncredited)

North by Northwest

1959

4.8

Riverboat Cabin Boy

The Iron Mistress

1952

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6.3

George

Four Star Playhouse

1952

0.0

Fred Johnson

Three for Bedroom C

1952

7.0

Ralph Crawford

The Well

1951

6.9

School Teacher (uncredited)

No Way Out

1950

Credits

🎬

Last of the Good Guys

as Uncle Stan

1978

0.0

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

as Homer

1970

6.5

The Legend of Lylah Clare

as Hot Dog Man (uncredited)

1968

5.9

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

as Ernie

1962

7.9

North by Northwest

as Porter on Twentieth Century Ltd. (uncredited)

1959

8.0

The Iron Mistress

as Riverboat Cabin Boy

1952

4.8

🎬

Four Star Playhouse

as George

1952

6.3

Three for Bedroom C

as Fred Johnson

1952

0.0

The Well

as Ralph Crawford

1951

7.0

No Way Out

as School Teacher (uncredited)

1950

6.9

Buccaneer's Girl

as Footman

1950

5.6

Backfire

as James - Party Servant 9 (uncredited)

1950

5.9

East Side, West Side

1949

7.0

Riff-Raff

as Wong - Houseboy (uncredited)

1947

6.2

Sport of Kings

as Alf

1947

0.0

The Peanut Man

as Robert

1947

0.0

Without Reservations

as Dining Car Waiter (uncredited)

1946

6.2

Lady on a Train

1945

6.6

Princess O'Rourke

as Messenger (uncredited)

1943

6.3

In This Our Life

as Parry Clay

1942

6.8

Lost in the Jungle

as Hans

1911

5.0