Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson
Biography
Eddie Anderson, billed as Rochester, was an American actor and comedian whose gravelly voice became familiar to radio and television audiences through his long association with Jack Benny. He grew up in Oakland, California and began as a teenage performer on the vaudeville circuit, working first as a dancer before adding comedy to his act and moving into films and radio. His many screen appearances included What Price Hollywood? (1932), Jezebel (1938), You Can't Take It with You (1938), Topper Returns (1941), Brewster's Millions (1945) and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). Playing Rochester van Jones, Benny's butler and valet, he broke ground in 1937 by holding a regular part on a national radio show, and he stayed with the character when the program moved to television in 1950 until it ended in 1965. He later took guest roles and supplied voices for animated series, and in 1975 he entered the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.
71years old at death
- Born Oakland
- Died Los Angeles
- Star sign: VirgoThe sign runs August 23 to September 22
- Edmund Lincoln Anderson (birth name)Also credited as Eddie Anderson
Movie Career
- Films
- 10
- Career span
- 31 years1932 to 1963
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First role
Anderson first appeared on The Jack Benny Program in a one-time role as a redcap, winning the part after an audition.
A change of course
During World War II, Anderson put up the money for and owned the Pacific Parachute Company. Started by Howard "Skippy" Smith, it was run and owned by African Americans and turned out parachutes for the Army and Navy.
Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson movies on Netflix
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Worldas Second Cab Driver
Brewster's Millionsas Jackson
Tales of Manhattanas Rev. Lazarus
Topper Returnsas Edward ("Eddie"), the Chauffeur
Honoluluas Washington
You Can't Cheat an Honest Manas Cheerful
You Can't Get Away with Murderas Sam
Jezebelas Gros Bat
You Can't Take It with Youas Donald
What Price Hollywood?as Max's Butler James
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World1963 Action, Adventure, Comedyas Second Cab Driver
IMDb rating 7.452K votes
Most often with
John Litel appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.







Films together
John Litel3 films together, 1938 to 1945
John Litel's page Brewster's Millions1945IMDb rating 6.6Anderson as JacksonLitel as Swearengen Jones
You Can't Get Away with Murder1939IMDb rating 6.4Anderson as SamLitel as Attorney Carey
Jezebel1938IMDb rating 7.4Anderson as Gros BatLitel as Jean La Cour
Henry Fonda2 films together, 1938 to 1942
Henry Fonda's page Tales of Manhattan1942IMDb rating 7.3Anderson as Rev. LazarusFonda as George
Jezebel1938IMDb rating 7.4Anderson as Gros BatFonda as Preston Dillard
Joe Sawyer2 films together, 1939 to 1945
Joe Sawyer's page Brewster's Millions1945IMDb rating 6.6Anderson as JacksonSawyer as Hacky Smith
You Can't Get Away with Murder1939IMDb rating 6.4Anderson as SamSawyer as Red
Spring Byington2 films together, 1938
Spring Byington's page Jezebel1938IMDb rating 7.4Anderson as Gros BatByington as Mrs. Kendrick
You Can't Take It with You1938IMDb rating 7.8Anderson as DonaldByington as Penny Sycamore
Dennis O'Keefe2 films together, 1941 to 1945
Dennis O'Keefe's page Brewster's Millions1945IMDb rating 6.6Anderson as JacksonO'Keefe as Montague L. 'Monty' Brewster
Topper Returns1941IMDb rating 6.8Anderson as Edward ("Eddie"), the ChauffeurO'Keefe as Bob
Thurston Hall2 films together, 1939 to 1945
Thurston Hall's page Brewster's Millions1945IMDb rating 6.6Anderson as JacksonHall as Colonel Drew
You Can't Cheat an Honest Man1939IMDb rating 6.9Anderson as CheerfulHall as Mr. Archibald Bel-Goodie
Also two films together7 more actors
- Eddy ChandlerTopper Returns (1941) and You Can't Cheat an Honest Man (1939)
- Mischa AuerBrewster's Millions (1945) and You Can't Take It with You (1938)
- H.B. WarnerTopper Returns (1941) and You Can't Take It with You (1938)
- Roland YoungTales of Manhattan (1942) and Topper Returns (1941)
- Mary ForbesYou Can't Cheat an Honest Man (1939) and You Can't Take It with You (1938)
- Neil HamiltonBrewster's Millions (1945) and What Price Hollywood? (1932)
- Gail PatrickBrewster's Millions (1945) and Tales of Manhattan (1942)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1960 | Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.


