1995–2004: Early roles

Anderson's early television work includes a lead role as Teddy Broadis in the teen series Hang Time, and many one-off guest appearances on shows such as NYPD Blue, Malcolm & Eddie, In the House, and Ally McBeal, as well as recurring roles on series like 'Til Death and The Bernie Mac Show. Anderson has worked as an actor, often in comedic roles, since his film debut in Liberty Heights (1999). In 2002, he voiced the character Ray Ray in an episode of the Disney Channel animated series The Proud Family. He later reprised this role in a second season episode of its revival series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, which aired in 2023.^[10] From 2003 to 2004, he was the central character in the short-lived series All About the Andersons, which lasted for one season on The WB. He also had leading film roles in the comedy films Kangaroo Jack (2003), My Baby's Daddy (2004), and King's Ransom (2005), with a supporting role in the family adventure film Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (2004).

2005–2014: Rise to prominence

Anderson took supporting roles in the drama Hustle & Flow (2005), and Martin Scorsese's crime film The Departed (2006).^[11] Additionally, Anderson had a supporting role in Scary Movie 3 (2003) and Scary Movie 4 (2006). He was originally set to return in Scary Movie 5 (2013) with Regina Hall and Kevin Hart.^[12] Anderson joined the cast of the long-running NBC crime drama television series, Law & Order in 2008. After three seasons (18, 19, and 20) as Kevin Bernard, he reprised the role upon the series's revival in 2022, concurrent with the final episodes of Black-ish.^[13][14][15] In 2009, Anderson directed a one-minute short film featuring his Law & Order co-star Jeremy Sisto. The short was made for the Responsibility Project, a joint initiative of NBC and Liberty Mutual Group. The short aired during the In The House episode "Reality Bites" on October 16, 2009. In June 2010, he was cast in a minor role in Scream 4.^[16]

Before his work in Law & Order, Anderson starred in two other crime series, Fox's K-Ville (as one of the lead characters) and FX's The Shield.^[17] He also starred in the sitcom Guys with Kids, which lasted a single season.^[18][19] In 2013, Anderson signed on to host the celebrity-driven, family game show called Wall of Fame,^[20] which was produced by Endemol USA for NBC. One family attempts to answer pop culture trivia questions while also guessing whether members of the celebrity "Wall of Fame" answered the same questions correctly. Eight one-hour episodes were taped at the time, but never aired. Anderson's series Eating America with Anthony Anderson was a summer show in 2014. He visited different towns in America that host "food festivals" highlighting a specific type of food.^[21] He was a frequent judge on Iron Chef America, and was 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 bartender/sous-chef for Iron Chef Bobby Flay opposite Masaharu Morimoto and fellow judge Simon Majumdar.^[22]

2014–2022: Black-ish

In 2014, Anderson began starring as Andre "Dre" Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish,^[23] which completed its eight-season run in 2022.^[24] During its run Anderson received 11 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations.^[25] In 2022, Anderson was not nominated as a producer or actor for its final season. He reacted to the news while guest hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! joking, "Can you believe that shit? Now I'm not saying the voters were stupid for not nominating me or Black-ish or Tracee, I'm just saying they're racist."^[26] He also serves as executive producer on its spinoffs Grown-ish, which premiered on Freeform in 2018,^[27] and Mixed-ish, which ran on ABC for two seasons from 2019 to 2021.^[28] He guest starred as Dre in episodes on both series.^[29] From 2016 to 2022, he was the host of To Tell the Truth, which also aired on ABC.^[30] In 2019, Anderson was a guest panelist in season two of The Masked Singer. He later competed in season ten as "Rubber Ducky" and was eliminated in the first episode when competing in Group A.^[31] In October 2022, Anderson and his mother Doris began filming Anthony Anderson and Mom: European Vacation to be aired on the E! network.^[32]

2023–present: We Are Family

In November 2023, it was announced that Anderson and his mother Doris would host the Fox game show We Are Family, replacing Jamie Foxx and his daughter, Corinne, who were originally set to host the show. It premiered on January 3, 2024.^[33][34] In December 2023, Anderson was named as the host of the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. The decision for Anderson to host was met with controversy due to his allegations of sexual assault. The Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA) urged the Emmys and Fox, the network set to air the 2024 ceremony, to reconsider Anderson as host writing, "The entertainment industry has the power and responsibility to protect individuals from sexual violence...the Emmys and Fox to not only remove Anderson as host, but to also conduct their due diligence going forward when selecting hosts."^[35] The telecast was met with mixed reviews and some criticism, in particular, regarding a recurring bit in which Anderson's mother interrupted acceptance speeches that went on too long. Some on social media cited the moment when Anderson's mother interrupted a speech given by Jennifer Coolidge, who won for The White Lotus, as being "rude" and "disrespectful".^[36][37]

Divorce settlement

Nineteen months after their second split, Anderson and his ex-wife Alvina finalized their divorce in September 2023. The actor was ordered to pay more than $200,000 a year in spousal support as per their divorce settlement, with a base amount of $20,000 monthly. The court documents caveat that should the actor's gross income exceed $2,000,000 per year, he is to pay 20% of the gross amount to the estranged mother to his children. Further settlement agreements stated that Anderson was to relinquish his Glock 19 firearm to law enforcement within 30 days of the divorce finalization. Anderson was set to keep their home in Encino and a 2004 Land Rover, while Alvina will keep possession of their home in Houston and their 2022 Mazda. They will also split their cemetery plots located in LA's Inglewood Park Cemetery.^[47]

Rape and sexual assault allegations

Anderson was accused of raping a 25-year-old extra in a trailer on the film set of Hustle & Flow on July 27, 2004. The alleged victim accused Anderson and assistant director Wayne Witherspoon of forcibly removing her clothing, photographing her naked body, and sexually assaulting her. A witness claimed to have heard the alleged victim's screams and to have seen her run naked from the trailer, and she was treated at St. Francis Hospital.^[48] The charges were dropped on October 6, 2004, because the judge ruled that there was no probable cause to try the case.^[49]

Anderson was sued for sexual assault in September 2004 by another woman who claimed that Anderson made sexually suggestive remarks and then assaulted her in his dressing room on the set of All About the Andersons.^[50]

On July 20, 2018, it was revealed that he was being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department for another sexual assault allegation.^[49] Due to lack of evidence on September 4, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office decided not to press charges against Anderson.^[51]

Film

Television

Video games

Music videos