Ernest Anderson
ActingAbout Ernest Anderson
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.
Ernest Anderson Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Ernest Anderson reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 22 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Ernest Anderson's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 41% of Ernest Anderson's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains North by Northwest, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Ernest Anderson Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Ernest Anderson's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Ernest Anderson has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Last of the Good Guys | Uncle Stan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1970 | … tick… tick… tick… | Homer | Hit | Similar → |
| 1968 | The Legend of Lylah Clare | Hot Dog Man (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1962 | What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? | Ernie | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1960 | No Greater Love | Queto's Father | Flop | Similar → |
| 1959 | North by Northwest | Porter on Twentieth Century Ltd. (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | The Mississippi Gambler | Bellhop (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | The Iron Mistress | Riverboat Cabin Boy | Flop | Similar → |
| 1952 | Three for Bedroom C | Fred Johnson | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Well | Ralph Crawford | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | No Way Out | School Teacher (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Buccaneer's Girl | Mme. Brizar's Footman (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1950 | Backfire | James - Party Servant 9 (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1949 | East Side, West Side | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | Riff-Raff | Wong - Houseboy (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1947 | Sport of Kings | Alf | Flop | Similar → |
| 1947 | The Peanut Man | Robert | Flop | Similar → |
| 1946 | Without Reservations | Dining Car Waiter (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | Lady on a Train | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Princess O'Rourke | Messenger (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | In This Our Life | Parry Clay | Hit | Similar → |
| 1911 | Lost in the Jungle | Hans | Flop | Similar → |
Ernest Anderson - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Ernest Anderson?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ernest Anderson is "North by Northwest" with a rating of 8.0/10.
How many movies has Ernest Anderson acted in?
Ernest Anderson has been featured in at least 22 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Ernest Anderson?
Other notable films include "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?", "The Well", and "The Mississippi Gambler".