Eddie "Rochester" Anderson

Edmund Lincoln Anderson (September 18, 1905 – February 28, 1977) was an American actor and comedian. To a generation of early radio and television comedy he was known as "Rochester".

Quick facts: Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Born, Died, Resti... ▼

Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
Anderson c. 1947
Born	Edmund Lincoln Anderson (1905-09-18)September 18, 1905 Oakland, California, U.S.
Died	February 28, 1977(1977-02-28) (aged 71) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, California
Nationality	American
Other names	Eddie "Rochester" Anderson Rochester
Occupations	Actor comedian
Years active	1919–1973
Known for	Rochester Van Jones on The Jack Benny Program
Spouses	Mamie Wiggins Nelson ​ ​ (m. 1939; died 1954)​ Eva Simon ​ ​ (m. 1956; div. 1973)​
Children	4
Signature

Anderson entered show business as a teenager on the vaudeville circuit. In the early 1930s, he transitioned into films and radio. In 1937, he began his role of Rochester van Jones, usually known simply as Rochester, the valet of Jack Benny on the NBC radio show The Jack Benny Program. Anderson became the first African American to have a regular role on a nationwide radio program. When the series moved to CBS television in 1950, Anderson continued in the role until the series ended in 1965.

After the series ended, Anderson remained active with guest-starring roles on television and voice work in animated series. He was also an avid horse-racing fan who owned several race horses and worked as a horse trainer at the Hollywood Park Racetrack. He was married twice and had four children. He died of heart disease in February 1977 at the age of 71.