Rochester wasn’t his real name, but it was the name that made him famous. For 27 years, Eddie Anderson played “Rochester” on The Jack Benny Program and it made him a star.
But Eddie Anderson’s talent exceeded the funny quips that audiences saw and heard on The Jack Benny Program. He was a multi-talented performer who could also sing, dance and act. In fact, during his career, Anderson had roles in over 70 movies and television programs including three Top 100 Black Classic Movies: “Cabin in the Sky”, “The Green Pastures” and “Gone With the Wind."
With an unforgettable voice and natural talent, it’s no surprise that Eddie “Rochester” Anderson was one of the biggest African-American stars of the 1940s and 1950s.
Talent Ran in the Family
Eddie Anderson came from a family of entertainers. On September 18, 1905, he was born to Big Ed and Ella Mae Anderson in Oakland, California. They named him Edmund Lincoln Anderson. Anderson’s father, Big Ed, was a minstrel performer and his mother, Ella Mae, was a tightrope walker. Performing was in the family blood.
Eddie Anderson showed an early interest in show business by joining the Black vaudeville circuit at the age of 13. He was a solo performer for many years until he formed a group called the “Three Black Aces” with his brother Cornelius and a friend. The trio was successful on the vaudeville circuit. They did a song-and-dance routine that took them to vaudeville theatres and nightclubs across the country, including the famous Harlem Cotton Club.
Unique Raspy Voice
 One of Eddie Anderson’s most distinguishing features was his raspy voice. When he was a kid, he damaged his vocal chords while constantly yelling to sell newspapers. Instead of fretting about it, though, Anderson used his unique sounding voice to his advantage. He started doing more comedy. And it worked. His voice, coupled with his comedic-style distinguished him from others.
The Jack Benny Show
 On Easter Sunday, 1937, Eddie Anderson’s big break came when he was hired to play a one-time role as a Pullman Porter on the popular Jack Benny Program. Even though it was a small part, audiences loved the funny back-and-forth between Anderson’s character, “Rochester,” and Jack Benny. Because of this great response, Anderson’s “Rochester” was written into the show as a regular character. This made Anderson famous! The Jack Benny Program was one of the highest-rated radio and television programs of the time. And for many years, Eddie Anderson was the only African-American to have a regular, on-going role on popular national program.
Eddie Anderson played Rochester on The Jack Benny Show for 27 years. During this time, the character became so popular with audiences that people thought that Eddie Anderson’s real name was Rochester. Thus, he thereafter became known as Eddie “Rochester” Anderson.
Top 100 Black Classic Movies
Eddie Anderson was a gifted, multi-talented performer. Before he was discovered on The Jack Benny Program, he played many small parts in movies. In these small roles, Anderson usually played a chauffeur, butler or porter, which were the most common parts given to African-American actors at the time.
 His big break in film came when he got a significant part in the All-Black cast film “The Green Pastures.” This movie is a re-telling of Old Testament bible stories from an African-American perspective. Eddie Anderson starred in this movie as Noah, alongside other great Black Classic Movie stars like Rex Ingram and Oscar Polk.
In o ne of his best films ever, Eddie Anderson also starred in “Cabin in the Sky” with Ethel Waters and Lena Horne. He starred in this movie when he was already famous for his role as “Rochester” on the Jack Benny Program. In “Cabin in the Sky,” Eddie Anderson not only shows his natural gift for comedy, but also his singing and dancing skills.
Career Shortened by Health Problems
During his career, Eddie Anderson performed in over 70 movies and television shows.
There’s no doubt that he would have done more films had it not been for a health problems. In 1958 during a rehearsal for The Jack Benny Program, Anderson had a heart attack. He never fully recovered his sight and speech and, as a result, worked less.
 On February 28, 1977 Eddie Anderson passed away in Los Angeles, California. In 2001, he was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame for his legendary radio contributions.
Eddie Anderson's unforgettable voice and tremendous talent will always be remembered in the movies and television programs that are still being watched today.
Eddie Anderson Movies
There are over 60 movies that Eddie Anderson appeared in and some of them are available on DVD. Listed below are some of his popular films. (Click the title for more details.) |
