Anthony Anderson

Anthony Anderson (born August 15, 1970) is an American actor, comedian, and television host. He is known for his leading roles in television shows such as Andre "Dre" Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish (2014–2022) and NYPD Detective Kevin Bernard on the NBC crime drama Law & Order (2008–2010, 2022). He has also acted in films such as Big Momma's House, Barbershop (2002), Kangaroo Jack (2003), Agent Cody Banks 2 (2004), Hustle & Flow (2005), The Departed (2006), Transformers (2007), and Scream 4 (2011).

Anderson starred in the short-lived sitcoms All About the Andersons (2003–2004) and Guys with Kids (2012–2013). Anderson has also hosted or been a guest panelist on a variety of game shows. Anderson served as host of the ABC version of the game show To Tell the Truth (2016–2022) and he is the host of the Fox game show We Are Family (2024–). He hosted the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2024. In 2025, he was named host of Netflix’s reboot of the talent competition series Star Search to debut the following year.

Early life Anderson was born in Compton, California. His mother, Doris Bowman (née Hancox), was a telephone operator and actress. His stepfather, Sterling Bowman, was a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, who moved to Los Angeles to work in the steel mill industry before opening a chain of three clothing stores. Sterling died in 2022. Anderson has a younger half-brother, Derrick Bowman, who works as an ICU nurse. Growing up, Anderson's nickname was "Tugga" because he could not pronounce the word "sugar". According to a DNA analysis, Anderson descends from the Bubi people of Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea), and from the Tikar, Hausa, and Fulani people of Cameroon.

Anderson has stated that his first attempt at stand-up comedy was a failure.

Anderson is an alumnus of the Hollywood High School Performing Arts Magnet's Class of 1988. He initially enrolled at Howard University as a theater major but faced financial difficulties, leading him to leave after his junior year. Nearly three decades later, inspired by his son Nathan's acceptance to the university, he returned to Howard to complete his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts in 2022.

Career 1995–2004: Early roles and sitcom

Anderson's early television work includes a lead role as Teddy Broadis in the teen series Hang Time, and many one-off guest appearances on shows such as NYPD Blue, Malcolm & Eddie, In the House, and Ally McBeal, as well as recurring roles on series like 'Til Death and The Bernie Mac Show. Anderson has worked as an actor, often in comedic roles, since his film debut in Liberty Heights (1999). In 2002, he voiced the character Ray Ray in an episode of the Disney Channel animated series The Proud Family. He later reprised this role in a second-season episode of its revival series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, which aired in 2023.

From 2003 to 2004, he was the central character in the short-lived series All About the Andersons, which lasted for one season on The WB. He also had leading film roles in the comedy films Kangaroo Jack (2003), My Baby's Daddy (2004), and King's Ransom (2005), with a supporting role in the family adventure film Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (2004).

2005–2014: Film and television roles Anderson took supporting roles in the drama Hustle & Flow (2005), and Martin Scorsese's crime film The Departed (2006). Additionally, Anderson had a supporting role in Scary Movie 3 (2003) and Scary Movie 4 (2006). He was originally set to return in Scary Movie 5 (2013) with Regina Hall and Kevin Hart. Anderson joined the cast of the long-running NBC crime drama television series, Law & Order in 2008. After three seasons (18, 19, and 20) as Kevin Bernard, he reprised the role upon the series' revival in 2022, concurrent with the final episodes of Black-ish.

In 2009, Anderson directed a one-minute short film featuring his Law & Order co-star Jeremy Sisto. The short was made for the Responsibility Project, a joint initiative of NBC and Liberty Mutual Group. The short aired during the In The House episode "Reality Bites" in October 2009. In June 2010, he was cast in a minor role in Scream 4.

Before his work in Law & Order, Anderson starred in two other crime series, Fox's K-Ville (as one of the lead characters) and FX's The Shield. He also starred in the sitcom Guys with Kids, which lasted a single season. In 2013, Anderson signed on to host the celebrity-driven, family game show called Wall of Fame, which was produced by Endemol USA for NBC. Eight one-hour episodes were taped at the time, but never aired. Anderson's series Eating America with Anthony Anderson was a summer show in 2014. He visited different towns in America that host "food festivals" highlighting a specific type of food. He was a frequent judge on Iron Chef America, and was one of the few judges to taste dishes from all the Iron Chefs on the show. In the Ultimate Bar Food battle, he served as bartender/sous-chef for Iron Chef Bobby Flay opposite Masaharu Morimoto and fellow judge Simon Majumdar.

2014–2022: Black-ish and involvement in game shows

In 2014, Anderson began starring as Andre "Dre" Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish, which completed its eight-season run in 2022. During its run, Anderson received 11 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations. In 2022, Anderson was not nominated as a producer or actor for its final season. He reacted to the news while guest hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! joking, "Can you believe that shit? Now I'm not saying the voters were stupid for not nominating me or Black-ish or Tracee, I'm just saying they're racist."

He serves as executive producer on its spinoffs Grown-ish, which premiered on Freeform in 2018, and Mixed-ish, which ran on ABC for two seasons from 2019 to 2021. He guest starred as Dre in episodes on both series. From 2016 to 2022, he was the host of To Tell the Truth, which also aired on ABC.

In 2019, Anderson was a guest panelist in season two of The Masked Singer. He later competed in season ten as "Rubber Ducky" and was eliminated in the first episode when competing in Group A. In October 2022, Anderson and his mother Doris began filming Anthony Anderson and Mom: European Vacation to be aired on the E! network.

2023–present: We Are Family and controversy

In November 2023, it was announced that Anderson and his mother Doris would host the Fox game show We Are Family, replacing Jamie Foxx and his daughter, Corinne, who were originally set to host the show. It premiered on January 3, 2024.

In December 2023, Anderson was named as the host of the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. The decision for Anderson to host was met with controversy due to his multiple allegations of rape and sexual assault. The Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA) urged the Emmys and Fox, the network set to air the 2024 ceremony, to reconsider Anderson as host writing, "The entertainment industry has the power and responsibility to protect individuals from sexual violence...the Emmys and Fox to not only remove Anderson as host, but to also conduct their due diligence going forward when selecting hosts."

The telecast was met with mixed reviews and some criticism, in particular, regarding a recurring bit in which Anderson's mother interrupted acceptance speeches that went on too long. Some on social media cited the moment when Anderson's mother interrupted a speech given by Jennifer Coolidge, who won for The White Lotus, as being "rude" and "disrespectful".

Personal life Anderson was married to Alvina Stewart from September 1999 to September 2023. They have two children. Their son Nathan appeared as Tahj in the Netflix sitcom Richie Rich and guest starred in Black-ish. Stewart initially filed for divorce in September 2015 citing irreconcilable differences, after having been separated since April 2014. They reconciled in January 2017 and she withdrew her petition. On March 25, 2022, she filed for divorce again, and it was granted by a judge in September 2023.

Anderson has type 2 diabetes and has been active in diabetes awareness.

Playing for the Alzheimer's Association, in 2011, Anderson won $250,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

Anderson is an honorary member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He was inducted in July 2020. In 2019, a star was named after Anderson in the International Star Registry.

Anderson owns a restaurant with friend and comedian Cedric the Entertainer.

Anderson, who graduated from Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts in 2022, announced on TV One’s Uncensored that he will be returning to his alma mater to teach a masterclass in acting there.

Rape and sexual assault allegations Anderson was accused of raping a 25-year-old extra in a trailer on the film set of Hustle & Flow on July 27, 2004. The alleged victim accused Anderson and assistant director Wayne Witherspoon of forcibly removing her clothing, photographing her naked body, and sexually assaulting her. A witness claimed to have heard the alleged victim's screams and to have seen her run naked from the trailer, and she was treated at St. Francis Hospital. The charges were dropped on October 6, 2004, because the judge ruled that there was no probable cause to try the case. Anderson was sued for sexual assault in September 2004 by another woman who claimed that Anderson made sexually suggestive remarks and then assaulted her in his dressing room on the set of All About the Andersons.

On July 20, 2018, it was revealed that he was being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department for another sexual assault allegation.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1996 Alien Avengers Alley Hood #2 TV movie 1999 The Breaks Inmate #1 Life "Cookie" Trippin' "Z-Boy" Liberty Heights "Scribbles" 2000 3 Strikes Guard Romeo Must Die Maurice Big Momma's House Nolan Me, Myself & Irene Jamaal Baileygates Urban Legends: Final Cut Stan Washington 2001 Kingdom Come Junior Slocumb See Spot Run Benny Exit Wounds T.K. Johnson Two Can Play That Game Tony 2002 Barbershop J.D. 2003 Kangaroo Jack Louis Booker Cradle 2 the Grave Tommy Malibu's Most Wanted P.J. "Tree" Scary Movie 3 Mahalik Phifer 2004 My Baby's Daddy "G" Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London Derek Bowman Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle Burger Shack Employee 2005 Hustle & Flow Key King's Ransom Malcolm King Hoodwinked! Bill Stork (voice) 2006 Scary Movie 4 Mahalik Phifer The Last Stand Jay The Departed Trooper Brown Arthur & the Invisibles Koolomassai (voice) 2007 Transformers Glen Whitmann 2009 Steppin: The Movie Uncle Trevor Matumbo Goldberg Matumbo Goldberg Short 2010 The Back-Up Plan Playground dad A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures Ray (voice) 2011 Scream 4 Deputy Perkins The Big Year Bill Clemens 2012 Goats Coach 2013 Pororo, The Racing Adventure Fufu (voice) The Power of Few "Junkshow" Grudge Match Mr. Sandpaper Hands 2014 The Town That Dreaded Sundown Ranger "Lone Wolf" Morales 2016 Hot Bot Agent Frazier Barbershop: The Next Cut J.D. Slope of the Curve Himself (voice) Short 2017 Small Town Crime Mr. Banks The Star Zach (voice) Ferdinand Bones (voice) 2019 Beats Romelo Reese 2023 You People Barber #1 2025 G20 Derek Sutton 2026 Scary Movie Himself Post-production

Television Year Title Role Notes 1995–1996 In the House Eddie; "Snacks" Episodes: "Nanna Don't Play"; "Close Encounters of the Worst Kind" 1996 Night Stand with Dick Dietrick Mickey Episode: "Salute to Getting Off Easy" 1996–1998 Hang Time Teddy Brodis 39 episodes 1998 NYPD Blue Vondell Episode: "Weaver of Hate" 2000 Ally McBeal Matthew Vault Episodes: "Prime Suspect" and "The Oddball Parade" 2001 My Wife and Kids Dr. Buchay 2 episodes The Weakest Link Himself / Celebrity Guest 1 episode 2002 The Proud Family Ray Ray (voice) Episode: "Behind Family Lines" 2003–2004 All About the Andersons Anthony Anderson 16 episodes 2004–2005 The Shield Antwon Mitchell 15 episodes 2005 The Bernie Mac Show Bryan Brown 4 episodes (season 5) Veronica Mars Percy "Bone" Hamilton Episode: "Lord of the Bling" Entourage Himself Episode: "Neighbors" Chappelle's Show Shirtless Man Episode 2.9; "Don't Pitch Me" sketch 2006 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Lucius Blaine Episode: "Fat" 2006–2007 'Til Death Cofeld 6 episodes 2007 K-Ville Marlin Boulet 11 episodes 2008–2010, 2022 Law & Order Detective Kevin Bernard Series regular (seasons 18–21) 2008 Samantha Who? Rafael Grace Episode: "Out of Africa" 2010 Golf in America Host 10 episodes 2010–2013 Treme Derek Watson 4 episodes 2011 Shameless Marty Fisher Episode: "Three Boys" Family BrainSurge Himself Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Himself Contestant 2012 Psych Chef Thane Woodson Episode: "True Grits" Raising Hope Neighbor Episode: "Inside Probe (Part 1)" The Soul Man "Sweet Brown" Taylor Episode: "Revelations" 2012–2013 Guys with Kids Gary 18 episodes 2013 Hell's Kitchen Himself Episode: "Winner Chosen" Real Husbands of Hollywood Episode: "Rock, Paper, Stealers" Chopped Episode: "Celebrity Holiday Bash" 2013–2014 Hollywood Game Night 2 episodes 2014 Rake Reggie Jarvis Episode: "Three Strikes" Celebrities Undercover Himself Eating America with Anthony Anderson Himself / Host Food Network show; also executive producer (8 episodes) 2014–2022 Black-ish Andre "Dre" Johnson Sr./Narrator Lead role; also executive producer 2015, 2019 Celebrity Family Feud Himself Episodes: "Anderson vs. Braxton", "Black-ish vs. The Goldbergs" 2015 Carnival Cravings with Anthony Anderson Himself / Host Food Network show; also executive producer (6 episodes) 2015–2018 Blaze and the Monster Machines Pirate Pegwheel (voice) 3 episodes 2016 Lip Sync Battle Himself Episode: "Tracee Ellis Ross vs. Anthony Anderson" Richie Rich Bulldozah Episode: "Rapper'$ Delight" The $100,000 Pyramid Himself / Celebrity Guest Episode: "Anthony Anderson vs. Sherri Shepherd" Doc McStuffins Stanley (voice) Episode: "Welcome to McStuffinsville" 2016–2022 To Tell the Truth Himself / Host 2017–2022 Jimmy Kimmel Live! Himself / Guest Host 3 episodes; fill-in for Jimmy Kimmel 2017 The Gong Show Himself / Judge Episode: "Dana Carvey/Tracee Ellis Ross/Anthony Anderson" Drop the Mic Himself Episode: "Halle Berry vs. James Corden / Anthony Anderson vs. Usher" Animal Nation with Anthony Anderson Himself / Host 10 episodes Funny You Should Ask Himself 2 episodes 2018–2023 Grown-ish Andre "Dre" Johnson Sr. 8 episodes; also, executive producer 2019 Mixed-ish Episode: "Becoming Bow"; also executive producer Live in Front of a Studio Audience Uncle Henry JeffersonHimself Episode: "Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons""All in the Family and Good Times" The Late Late Show with James Corden Himself / Guest Host December 11, 2019 2020 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Himself Guest #KidsTogether: The Nickelodeon Town Hall Television special Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Contestant Mo Willems: Don't Let the Pigeon Do Storytime! Himself / Guest Host September 17, 2020 2022 Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music & Laughter HimselfTelevision special Harry & Meghan Cameo The Drew Barrymore Show Guest 2023 The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Ray Ray (voice) Episode: "The Soul Vibrations"Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge Himself / Celebrity Guest Episode: "Monster Bug vs. Buckaroo"The Masked Singer Rubber Ducky Season 10 contestant; Eliminated in first episode 2024 We Are Family Himself / Host 75th Primetime Emmy Awards Television special Lopez vs Lopez Todd Cheeks Episode: "Lopez vs Wedding" 2026 The Neighborhood Clancy Pridgeon Episode: "Welcome to the Things We Do for Love"

Video games Year Title Voice role Notes 2006 Scarface: The World Is Yours Drug Dealer Brenton 2007 Def Jam: Icon Troy "Dollar" Voice and likeness 2012 Diablo III Monster voice effects 2014 Diablo III: Reaper of Souls

Music videos Year Title Artist Notes 2000 Breakout Foo Fighters promoting Me, Myself & Irene because the song's featured on the film's soundtrack

Awards and nominations