Trivia

His adopted son, Billy, once played professional football with the Chicago Bears, and was a world class hurdler. He held the world Junior College high hurdle record and just missed making the 1948 & 1952 U.S. Olympic teams.

Eddie Anderson was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2001.

He appeared in two Best Picture Academy Award winners in consecutive years: You Can't Take It with You (1938) and Gone with the Wind (1939). Irving Bacon, Ward Bond, Eddy Chandler, Wallis Clark and Harry Davenport also appeared in both films.

Before Anderson left his employ, Jack Benny sold the rights to the Rochester character to Eddie Anderson for one dollar so he would have a reliable source of income for life.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6513 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

Overstrained his vocal cords as a 12-year-old newsboy hawking papers in his home town, which explains his inimitable rasp... which, in reality WAS quite "imitable". A good many Voice Actors and Impressionists have done vocal imitations of Mr. Anderson over the years... with some being MUCH better than others.

Son of minstrel performer Big Ed Anderson and circus performer, Ella May Anderson. Appeared with his brother, Cornelius, in a Vaudeville song and dance act.

Was associated with Jack Benny from 1937 until 1964.

Interred at Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, California, USA, Section A, Lot #2504.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith; pg. 20. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387.

Was cast in a co-starring role with Alice Faye and John Payne in the 1974 stage revival of "Good News," but was too frail and was replaced by Stubby Kaye.