Found Dead: Harry Anderson 1949-2018 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

stevearino · 04-16-2018, 07:06 PM

It's with great sadness that yours truly announces that Harry Anderson is dead today at age 68.

Born on October 14, 1949 in Newport, Rhode Island, Harry Laverne Anderson was found dead today at age 68 in his Asheville, North Carolina home.

Best known for his role as Judge Harold T. Stone on the hit '80s NBC Television Network sitcom "Night Court," Harry was Class Valedictorian of his 1967 graduating High School class, graduating from Hollywood High School.

He began his Showbiz career in the early 1980s as a successful stand-up comic who based his stand-up on his love of magic. (In addition to acting and stand-up comedy, Harry also was an adept Amateur Magician).

Though his IMDB entry, and other ersatz biographies wrongfully list his year of birth as 1952, his birth year was indeed 1949 as verified by this link at http://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=360

Besides "Night Court," Harry also found TV success as Dave Barry on "Dave's World," airing on CBS from 1993-1997 for 4 seasons.

Harry also reportedly had Dyslexia, a Learning Disorder that affected his ability to read, but in spite of the disorder found great success in life, both professionally and personally.

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Elizabeth Morgan, as well as 2 grown children--Dashiell and Eva--from his first marriage to Leslie Pollack.

Speakeasy, Harry, and God Speed!

10/14/1949 - 04/16/2018

TMC · 04-16-2018, 07:43 PM

Night Court's Harry Anderson dies at 65

Anderson, who is best known for presiding over the NBC hit sitcom Night Court as Judge Harry Stone for nine seasons, was found dead this morning at his home in Asheville, North Carolina. Police say they don't suspect foul play. Anderson's love of magic earned him several appearances on Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s, leading to his role of Harry "The Hat" Gittes on Cheers, which was parlayed into his starring role on Night Court from 1984 to 1992. "I guess they figured I was an actor," Anderson, who was nominated for three Emmys for Night Court, told the Bradenton Herald in 2015. "I never auditioned for anything. I had the scripts next to me behind the bench. They named the character Harry so I'd remember to react when someone said my name. By the time they figured out that I couldn't act scared on the subway at 4 a.m., I already had a five-year contract." Anderson also played Miami Herald humor columnist Dave Barry on the CBS sitcom Dave's World from 1993 to 1997. One of his final screen appearances was as himself on 30 Rock in 2008.

Zoneboy · 04-16-2018, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevearino

Though his IMDB entry, and other ersatz biographies wrongfully list his year of birth as 1952, his birth year was indeed 1949 as verified by this link at http://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=360

All credible sources say he was born in 1952. Including Wikipedia. Granted, Wiki and IMDb aren't always reliable, but I'll trust them over your source in this case.

stevearino · 04-16-2018, 08:59 PM

However, MY Source is more credible, Zoneboy!!!

stevearino · 04-16-2018, 09:01 PM

And besides, Age Fabrication is a VERY common trend in Showbiz--especially among actors--common enough to have its own Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_fabrication

Of course, not saying ALL actors are Guilty of this, but a good many are.

Bonniegirl · 04-16-2018, 09:10 PM

Even sadder if he were born in 52 as apposed to 49! Way too young to pass away! !

stevearino · 04-16-2018, 09:12 PM

I agree, Bonniegirl. 68 is WAY too young to pass, especially these days.

stevearino · 04-16-2018, 09:14 PM

On a personal note, as a younger man, college-aged, I tried calling Harry Anderson myself on telephone via Harry's then-current New Orleans business Oswald's Speakeasy right before Hurricane Katrina hit. Though I didn't speak directly with Harry, I did have the person I spoke with give a message to Harry telling him "Great job on Night Court!" I'll never know if Harry ever got that message, though I hope he did.

stevearino · 04-16-2018, 09:16 PM

My hope is that Harry Anderson, due to the nature of his death, will be the Cover Story for the next People Magazine issue on newsstands this Friday.

Zoneboy · 04-16-2018, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevearino

However, MY Source is more credible, Zoneboy!!!

Your source is about as credible as the E! True Hollywood Story you love so much.

Show me another one that agrees with you.

Janice · 04-17-2018, 12:26 AM

How sad. I really liked Harry Anderson. He was fantastic on Night Court.

I will say that all news stories should provide a link, especially obituaries.

MA · 04-17-2018, 06:26 AM

I hope Laff or somebody else does a marathon or something. Any word from Richard and how Harry passed though?

MA · 04-17-2018, 11:13 AM

Another statement from John.

Harry Anderson. He was wicked smart. He was wicked funny. He had a big laugh. He had a big heart. He delighted in legerdemain especially when he caused someone to scratch their head and proclaim; How the hell did you do that? And he could eat a hamster like no one I ever knew.

Markie, Charlie, Marsha, Richard, me and the N.C. gang were on a carnival fun ride with Harry. It was a blast. Out in the cosmos tonight, with his fedora at a rakish angle and a 'Watch this' wink to us, he’s coaxing whoever might be out there with him; Pick a card. Any card.

MA · 04-17-2018, 12:08 PM

Which is the right date? 1949 or 1952?

MA · 04-17-2018, 12:22 PM

The cause of death has been revealed according to Shadoe Stevens.

A stroke. He'd had another one a week or so ago.

04-16-2018, 07:06 PM	#1
stevearino Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 15, 2017 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 249	Found Dead: Harry Anderson 1949-2018 It's with great sadness that yours truly announces that Harry Anderson is dead today at age 68. Born on October 14, 1949 in Newport, Rhode Island, Harry Laverne Anderson was found dead today at age 68 in his Asheville, North Carolina home. Best known for his role as Judge Harold T. Stone on the hit '80s NBC Television Network sitcom "Night Court," Harry was Class Valedictorian of his 1967 graduating High School class, graduating from Hollywood High School. He began his Showbiz career in the early 1980s as a successful stand-up comic who based his stand-up on his love of magic. (In addition to acting and stand-up comedy, Harry also was an adept Amateur Magician). Though his IMDB entry, and other ersatz biographies wrongfully list his year of birth as 1952, his birth year was indeed 1949 as verified by this link at http://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=360 Besides "Night Court," Harry also found TV success as Dave Barry on "Dave's World," airing on CBS from 1993-1997 for 4 seasons. Harry also reportedly had Dyslexia, a Learning Disorder that affected his ability to read, but in spite of the disorder found great success in life, both professionally and personally. He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Elizabeth Morgan, as well as 2 grown children--Dashiell and Eva--from his first marriage to Leslie Pollack. Speakeasy, Harry, and God Speed! 10/14/1949 - 04/16/2018 Attached Images
	Last edited by stevearino; 04-16-2018 at 07:44 PM.

04-16-2018, 08:59 PM	#4
stevearino Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 15, 2017 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 249	Be My Guest However, MY Source is more credible, Zoneboy!!!

04-17-2018, 06:26 AM	#12
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127,094	I hope Laff or somebody else does a marathon or something. Any word from Richard and how Harry passed though?
	__________________ ~-Mikaela-~

04-16-2018, 07:43 PM	#2
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,442	Night Court's Harry Anderson dies at 65 Anderson, who is best known for presiding over the NBC hit sitcom Night Court as Judge Harry Stone for nine seasons, was found dead this morning at his home in Asheville, North Carolina. Police say they don't suspect foul play. Anderson's love of magic earned him several appearances on Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s, leading to his role of Harry "The Hat" Gittes on Cheers, which was parlayed into his starring role on Night Court from 1984 to 1992. "I guess they figured I was an actor," Anderson, who was nominated for three Emmys for Night Court, told the Bradenton Herald in 2015. "I never auditioned for anything. I had the scripts next to me behind the bench. They named the character Harry so I'd remember to react when someone said my name. By the time they figured out that I couldn't act scared on the subway at 4 a.m., I already had a five-year contract." Anderson also played Miami Herald humor columnist Dave Barry on the CBS sitcom Dave's World from 1993 to 1997. One of his final screen appearances was as himself on 30 Rock in 2008.

04-16-2018, 09:01 PM	#5
stevearino Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 15, 2017 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 249	And besides, Age Fabrication is a VERY common trend in Showbiz--especially among actors--common enough to have its own Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_fabrication Of course, not saying ALL actors are Guilty of this, but a good many are.

04-16-2018, 09:10 PM	#6
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 65,399	Even sadder if he were born in 52 as apposed to 49! Way too young to pass away! !

04-16-2018, 09:12 PM	#7
stevearino Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 15, 2017 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 249	I agree, Bonniegirl. 68 is WAY too young to pass, especially these days.

04-16-2018, 09:14 PM	#8
stevearino Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 15, 2017 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 249	On a personal note, as a younger man, college-aged, I tried calling Harry Anderson myself on telephone via Harry's then-current New Orleans business Oswald's Speakeasy right before Hurricane Katrina hit. Though I didn't speak directly with Harry, I did have the person I spoke with give a message to Harry telling him "Great job on Night Court!" I'll never know if Harry ever got that message, though I hope he did.

04-16-2018, 09:16 PM	#9
stevearino Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 15, 2017 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 249	My hope is that Harry Anderson, due to the nature of his death, will be the Cover Story for the next People Magazine issue on newsstands this Friday.

04-17-2018, 12:26 AM	#11
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,389	How sad. I really liked Harry Anderson. He was fantastic on Night Court. I will say that all news stories should provide a link, especially obituaries.

04-17-2018, 11:13 AM	#13
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127,094	Another statement from John. Harry Anderson. He was wicked smart. He was wicked funny. He had a big laugh. He had a big heart. He delighted in legerdemain especially when he caused someone to scratch their head and proclaim; How the hell did you do that? And he could eat a hamster like no one I ever knew. Markie, Charlie, Marsha, Richard, me and the N.C. gang were on a carnival fun ride with Harry. It was a blast. Out in the cosmos tonight, with his fedora at a rakish angle and a 'Watch this' wink to us, he’s coaxing whoever might be out there with him; Pick a card. Any card.

04-17-2018, 12:08 PM	#14
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127,094	Which is the right date? 1949 or 1952?

04-17-2018, 12:22 PM	#15
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127,094	The cause of death has been revealed according to Shadoe Stevens. A stroke. He'd had another one a week or so ago.