James Anderson

James O. Anderson Jr. (July 13, 1920 – September 14, 1969), sometimes billed as Kyle James and known as Buddy Anderson, was an American television and film actor of the 1950s and 1960s. He is probably best known for his role as Bob E. Lee Ewell in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Early life Anderson was born to J. O. Anderson and his wife. His sister was Mary Anderson, who also had an acting career.

In 1938, while attending Shades-Cahaba High School, he played halfback on the football team. He later studied acting for a year at the University of Alabama. Weeks after starring in the play, in November 1940, Anderson signed a contract with Warner Bros. He was known to be an alcoholic who was "difficult" on the set and sometimes would not show up for work at all. Before he was cast in To Kill a Mockingbird, the film's director, Robert Mulligan, made him promise to stay sober while filming and not to cause any problems on the set. Anderson agreed.

Death Anderson died suddenly on September 14, 1969 while on location for Little Big Man in Billings, Montana. He was two months past his 49th birthday and was survived by his mother and sister. His cause of death was reported as drug intoxication (barbiturate poisoning).

Legacy In 2010, Mary Badham, who starred alongside Anderson in To Kill a Mockingbird, praised his method acting style: "hen he walked on the set, he was that character. He gave everybody the willies and we were all intimidated by him".

Filmography

Television