Anthony Anderson (born August 15, 1970) is an American actor, comedian, and television host. He is best known for playing the main character, Andre "Dre" Johnson, on the ABC sitcom Black-ish (2014–2022) and NYPD Detective Kevin Bernard on the NBC crime drama Law & Order (2008–2010, 2022). He has also appeared in movies such as Big Momma's House (2000), Barbershop (2002), Kangaroo Jack (2003), Agent Cody Banks 2 (2004), Hustle & Flow (2005), The Departed (2006), Transformers (2007), and Scream 4 (2011).

Anderson appeared in the short-lived sitcoms All About the Andersons (2003–2004) and Guys with Kids (2012–2013). He is also recognized for hosting and appearing on game shows. He hosted the ABC version of the game show To Tell the Truth (2016–2022) and currently hosts the Fox game show We Are Family (2024–). He hosted the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2024. In 2025, he was named the host of Netflix’s reboot of the talent competition series Star Search, which will debut the following year.

Early life

Anderson was born in Compton, California. His mother, Doris Bowman (née Hancox), worked as a telephone operator and actress. His stepfather, Sterling Bowman, was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. He moved to Los Angeles to work in the steel mill industry before opening three clothing stores. Sterling died in 2022. Anderson has a younger half-brother, Derrick Bowman, who works as an ICU nurse. As a child, Anderson was called "Tugga" because he could not say the word "sugar" correctly. A DNA test showed that Anderson has ancestors from the Bubi people of Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea) and from the Tikar, Hausa, and Fulani people of Cameroon.

Anderson said his first try at stand-up comedy did not go well. This experience was difficult for him, but he met Guy Torry, a future friend and comedic actor, at the event. Torry comforted him after the show and encouraged him to continue performing. Later, Anderson and Torry acted together in the 1999 film Life, which also starred Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence.

Anderson graduated from Hollywood High School's Performing Arts Magnet program in 1988. He first attended Howard University as a theater major but had financial difficulties and left after his junior year. About 30 years later, inspired by his son Nathan's acceptance to Howard University, Anderson returned to finish his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts in 2022.

Career

Anthony Anderson began his television career with a leading role as Teddy Broadis in the teen series Hang Time. He also appeared in guest roles on shows like NYPD Blue, Malcolm & Eddie, In the House, and Ally McBeal, and had recurring parts in 'Til Death and The Bernie Mac Show. Anderson has been an actor since his film debut in Liberty Heights (1999), often taking on comedic roles. In 2002, he voiced the character Ray Ray in an episode of the Disney Channel animated series The Proud Family. He later played the same character again in a 2023 episode of the show’s revival, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.

From 2003 to 2004, Anderson was the main character in the short-lived series All About the Andersons, which aired on The WB. He also had leading roles in the comedy films Kangaroo Jack (2003), My Baby's Daddy (2004), and King's Ransom (2005), and a supporting role in the family adventure film Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (2004).

Anderson took supporting roles in the drama Hustle & Flow (2005) and Martin Scorsese’s crime film The Departed (2006). He also appeared in Scary Movie 3 (2003) and Scary Movie 4 (2006). He was originally scheduled to return in Scary Movie 5 (2013) with Regina Hall and Kevin Hart. In 2008, Anderson joined the cast of the long-running NBC crime drama Law & Order, playing Kevin Bernard for three seasons (18, 19, and 20). He later reprised the role in 2022 when the series returned, alongside the final episodes of Black-ish.

In 2009, Anderson directed a one-minute short film featuring his Law & Order co-star Jeremy Sisto. The film was created for the Responsibility Project, a partnership between NBC and Liberty Mutual Group, and aired during an episode of In the House. In 2010, he had a minor role in Scream 4.

Before joining Law & Order, Anderson starred in two crime series: K-Ville on Fox and The Shield on FX. He also appeared in the sitcom Guys with Kids, which lasted one season. In 2013, Anderson became the host of the family game show Wall of Fame, produced by Endemol USA for NBC. However, the show was taped but never aired.

Anderson’s series Eating America with Anthony Anderson aired in 2014 as a summer show. He traveled to towns in the United States that host food festivals celebrating specific types of food. He was a regular judge on Iron Chef America and one of the few judges to taste dishes from all the Iron Chefs on the show. In the Ultimate Bar Food battle, he served as a bartender and sous-chef for Iron Chef Bobby Flay, working alongside Masaharu Morimoto and judge Simon Majumdar.

In 2014, Anderson began playing Andre “Dre” Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish, which ended its eight-season run in 2022. During its run, Anderson received 11 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations. He was not nominated for his final season of Black-ish.

Anderson is an executive producer of the spinoffs Grown-ish (2018) and Mixed-ish (2019–2021), which both aired on Freeform and ABC, respectively. He guest-starred as Dre in episodes of both series. From 2016 to 2022, he hosted To Tell the Truth on ABC.

In 2019, Anderson appeared as a guest panelist on season two of The Masked Singer. He later competed in season ten as “Rubber Ducky” but was eliminated in the first episode. In 2022, Anderson and his mother, Doris, began filming Anthony Anderson and Mom: European Vacation, which was set to air on the E! network.

In November 2023, it was announced that Anderson and his mother would host the Fox game show We Are Family, replacing Jamie Foxx and his daughter, Corinne. The show premiered on January 3, 2024.

In December 2023, Anderson was named the host of the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. The decision to choose him as host was controversial due to past allegations of rape and sexual assault. The Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA) asked the Emmys and Fox, the network airing the ceremony, to reconsider his selection, stating that the entertainment industry has a responsibility to protect individuals from sexual violence.

The Emmy Awards telecast received mixed reviews, with some criticism directed at a recurring bit in which Anderson’s mother interrupted long acceptance speeches. A moment when Anderson’s mother interrupted a speech by Jennifer Coolidge, who won for The White Lotus, was described by some as “rude” and “disrespectful” on social media.

Personal life

Anderson was married to Alvina Stewart from September 1999 to September 2023. They have two children. Their son, Nathan, appeared as Tahj in the Netflix sitcom Richie Rich and had a guest role in Black-ish. Stewart first asked a court for a divorce in September 2015, stating they could not resolve their differences, after being separated since April 2014. They reunited in January 2017, and she canceled her request for divorce. On March 25, 2022, Stewart filed for divorce again, and the court approved the divorce in September 2023.

Anderson has type 2 diabetes and has worked to raise awareness about the condition.

In 2011, Anderson played a game show called Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and won $250,000. He is an honorary member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity and was inducted in July 2020. In 2019, a star in the International Star Registry was named after Anderson.

Anderson owns a restaurant with Cedric the Entertainer, a comedian.

Anderson graduated from Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts in 2022. He announced on TV One’s Uncensored that he will return to his alma mater to teach a masterclass in acting.

In 2004, Anderson was accused of raping a 25-year-old extra on the film set of Hustle & Flow. The alleged victim said Anderson and assistant director Wayne Witherspoon removed her clothing, photographed her, and sexually assaulted her. A witness reported hearing her scream and seeing her run from the trailer. She was treated at St. Francis Hospital. The charges were dropped in October 2004 because the judge found no evidence to support the case. Anderson was also sued for sexual assault in September 2004 by another woman who claimed he made inappropriate remarks and assaulted her in his dressing room on the set of All About the Andersons.

In July 2018, Anderson was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department for another sexual assault claim. On September 4, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office decided not to press charges, citing a lack of evidence after the alleged victim refused to speak with the investigator.

In 2003, Anderson interviewed Lindsay Lohan, who was 17 years old at the time, while promoting the movie Freaky Friday. Anderson asked Lohan about her dating life, personal life, and living with Raven-Symone. He told her, “Both of you are beautiful women” and said, “Some men like [women] young. We ain’t gonna mention no names, but I’m one of them.”

In 2025, the interview was shared online again, and many people criticized Anderson’s comments. Lohan appeared uncomfortable during the interview. Anderson’s publicist released a statement saying the interview was meant to be humorous and that Anderson respects Lindsay Lohan.