George Anderson (actor)
Encyclopedia
George Anderson was an American stage and film actor who appeared in 74 films and 25 Broadway productions in his 34 year career.
in 1886, Anderson made his Broadway
debut on August 5, 1907 as the star of an original musical called The Time, the Place and the Girl. For the next ten years he continued to perform on the Great White Way in both musicals and plays – including Victor Herbert
's The Duchess – until the end of November 1917. During about this same period, he also appeared in six movies, from 1915 to 1918, at a time when the nascent film industry was largely located in the New York City
area.
From 1922 to 1924 and from 1927 to 1936, Anderson again appeared on Broadway in musicals, comedies and melodramas, including The Strawberry Blonde, which he also directed, frequently with about a year between each production, time during which it would be the normal procedure of the period for the production to tour the country. Anderson appeared in two short films released in 1935 and 1936, when the film industry had largely relocated to California
and become known as "Hollywood".
After 1937, until 1948, Anderson worked consistently in films, playing small parts such as policemen, prison wardens, government officials, doctors and businessmen, as well as the occasional worker or bartender. During this time Anderson became part of writer-director Preston Sturges
' unofficial "stock company" of character actors
, appearing in six films written and directed by Sturges, as well as one Sturges wrote but did not direct. In 1944, he returned to Broadway for the last time, performing in Mae West
's Catherine Was Great.
Anderson's final film was Cy Endfield
's The Argyle Secrets, released in 1948. He died in London, England on August 26, 1948, at the age of 62.
Career
Born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1886, Anderson made his Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
debut on August 5, 1907 as the star of an original musical called The Time, the Place and the Girl. For the next ten years he continued to perform on the Great White Way in both musicals and plays – including Victor Herbert
Victor Herbert
Victor August Herbert was an Irish-born, German-raised American composer, cellist and conductor. Although Herbert enjoyed important careers as a cello soloist and conductor, he is best known for composing many successful operettas that premiered on Broadway from the 1890s to World War I...
's The Duchess – until the end of November 1917. During about this same period, he also appeared in six movies, from 1915 to 1918, at a time when the nascent film industry was largely located in the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
area.
From 1922 to 1924 and from 1927 to 1936, Anderson again appeared on Broadway in musicals, comedies and melodramas, including The Strawberry Blonde, which he also directed, frequently with about a year between each production, time during which it would be the normal procedure of the period for the production to tour the country. Anderson appeared in two short films released in 1935 and 1936, when the film industry had largely relocated to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and become known as "Hollywood".
After 1937, until 1948, Anderson worked consistently in films, playing small parts such as policemen, prison wardens, government officials, doctors and businessmen, as well as the occasional worker or bartender. During this time Anderson became part of writer-director Preston Sturges
Preston Sturges
Preston Sturges , originally Edmund Preston Biden, was a celebrated playwright, screenwriter and film director born in Chicago, Illinois...
' unofficial "stock company" of character actors
Preston Sturges Unofficial Stock Company Actors
Actors who frequently worked with film director Preston Sturges: !! Christmas in July !! The Lady Eve !! Sullivan's Travels !! The Palm Beach Story !! The Miracle of Morgan's Creek !! Hail the Conquering Hero !! The Great Moment !! The Sin of Harold Diddlebock !! Unfaithfully Yours !! The...
, appearing in six films written and directed by Sturges, as well as one Sturges wrote but did not direct. In 1944, he returned to Broadway for the last time, performing in Mae West
Mae West
Mae West was an American actress, playwright, screenwriter and sex symbol whose entertainment career spanned seven decades....
's Catherine Was Great.
Anderson's final film was Cy Endfield
Cy Endfield
Cyril Raker Endfield was an American screenwriter, film director, theatre director, author, magician and inventor, based in Britain from 1953.- Biography :...
's The Argyle Secrets, released in 1948. He died in London, England on August 26, 1948, at the age of 62.