Louis Perry Anderson (March 24, 1953 – January 21, 2022) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, author and game show host. He created the cartoon series Life with Louie and the television sitcom The Louie Show, and wrote four books, including Hey Mom: Stories for My Mother, But You Can Read Them Too, which was published in 2018. Anderson was the third host of the game show Family Feud from 1999 to 2002 — the first host in its third and current run.
For his performance on the FX comedy television series Baskets, Anderson received three consecutive Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series nominations and won once in 2016.
Anderson performed a stand-up show called Louie: Larger Than Life in Las Vegas, Nevada, from 2003 through 2012. The show originated at the Union Plaza hotel downtown, before moving to Excalibur, South Point, and Palace Station hotels.
Anderson attended Johnson Senior High in Saint Paul.
Anderson also played a role in John Landis' film Coming to America, which starred Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, a role which he reprised in the 2021 sequel. Murphy requested Anderson be hired for Coming To America after producers wanted a white actor in the otherwise African-American cast; Murphy described his friend Anderson as "the funniest white guy around". Anderson also starred in the 1988 camp comedy The Wrong Guys, based on a story by John Hughes.
In 1989, Anderson guest-starred on the first episode of The Muppets television segment of The Jim Henson Hour.
Anderson created and starred in The Louie Show for CBS. The show had him playing a psychotherapist in Duluth, Minnesota.O'Connor, John J. (February 5, 1996). "The More the Merrier, for a Vet and a Therapist". The New York Times. The show ran six episodes before it was canceled.
Anderson was also the host of Comedy Showcase in the late 1990s.
Anderson landed the role of host of the new version of Family Feud in 1999. He wanted former Family Feud host Richard Dawson to appear on the premiere show to give him his blessing, but Dawson'
/ref> In 2001, Anderson organized a 9/11-themed tournament week of Family Feud between the FDNY and the NYPD, putting up $75,000 toward both organizations for recovery from the September 11 attacks. Anderson was let go from the show in 2002 and was replaced by Richard Karn.
Anderson played in the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In 2013, Anderson appeared in the ABC reality television series Splash. After practicing several dives into a swimming pool then nearly drowning, he needed help getting out from co-star football player Ndamukong Suh.Ley, Tom (January 28, 2013). "Louie Anderson Nearly Drowns In The Most Pathetic Way Possible, Is Saved By Ndamukong Suh". Deadspin. Anderson signed on as the promotional spokesperson for his home state's Land O'Lakes Sweet Cream butter brand. He appeared in radio jingles, web ads, and television commercials promoting the product.
From 2016 to 2019, Anderson played the part of Christine Baskets on the FX comedy series Baskets. Anderson won the 2016 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance.
On July 23, 2017, Anderson competed on an episode of Celebrity Family Feud (hosted today by Steve Harvey); his opponent was singer/actress Christina Milian. This made Anderson one of only a small number of individuals to have both hosted and been a contestant on the same game show, and also marked his first appearance on any form of Family Feud since his departure as host in 2002. Anderson was a regular panelist on the TV game show Funny You Should Ask from September 2017 until the show went on hiatus in 2020.
Stand-up style
Personal life
Blackmailing incident
Health
Death
Filmography
Film
1984 Cloak & Dagger Taxi Driver #2 1986 Quicksilver Tiny Ferris Bueller's Day Off Flower Deliveryman Ratboy Omer Morrison 1988 The Wrong Guys Louie Coming to America Maurice 1992 Bebe's Kids Security Guard #1 (voice) 1996 Mr. Wrong Himself 2002 Do It for Uncle Manny Tow Truck Driver 2005 Back by Midnight Game Show Host 2007 Cook Off! Mayor Doug Halverson 2017 Sandy Wexler Himself 2021 Coming 2 America Maurice (final film role)
Television
1984 9th Annual Young Comedians Special Himself Hosted by Rodney Dangerfield and featuring Anderson, Sam Kinison, Bob Saget, Rita Rudner, Yakov Smirnoff 1986–88 The New Hollywood Squares 13 episodes 1986 Remington Steele Bingham 'Bing' Perret Episode: "Steele Spawning" 1987 Trying Times Stu Episode: "Bedtime Story" 1989 The Jim Henson Hour Himself / Space Guy Episode #1: "Outer Space/The Heartless Giant" 1994 Grace Under Fire Dr. Andy Lewinson Episode: "Tears of Joy" 1995–98 Life with Louie Andy Anderson / Little Louie (voice) 26 episodes
Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program (1996–97)
Nominated—Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program1995 Love & War James the Cat (voice) Episode: "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and a Cat" 1996 The Louie Show Louie Lundgren 6 episodes 1997 Chicago Hope Louie Lickman Episode: "Growing Pains" Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast Himself Rodney Dangerfield introduced Louie to a national audience and Louie participated in this roast to honor and thank him 1999 Touched by an Angel Uncle Dudley Episode: "Then Sings My Soul" 1998–2002 Hollywood Squares Himself 12 episodes 1999–2002 Family Feud Himself / Host 2000 To Tell the Truth Himself / Panelist Ally McBeal Therapist Episode: "Without a Net" 2001 Nash Bridges Richard Reynolds Episode: "Blood Bots" Scrubs Himself Episode: "My Two Dads" V.I.P. Homeless Person Episode: "Kayus Ex Machina" 2005 Half & Half Louie Episode: "The Big Credit Check Episode" Joey Himself Episode: "Joey and the Poker" 2006 The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy Burt (voice) Episode: "Fear and Loathing in Endsville" 2006 Tom Goes to the Mayor Mining Team of Louie Andersons (voice) Episode: "White Collarless" 2015–17 Pickle and Peanut Gory Agnes (voice) 2 episodes 2016–19 Baskets Christine Baskets 39 episodes
Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (2017–18)
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film2016 Drunk History Winston Churchill Episode: "The Roosevelts" 2017 Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special Himself Television special 2017 Season 4, Episode 3 - "Teller Flips a Bird" 2017–20 Funny You Should Ask 215 episodes 2019 Long Island Medium Episode: "A Spirit Returns" Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Player Episode: 104 2020 Young Sheldon Ralph Episode: "An Academic Crime and a More Romantic Taco Bell" Search Party Bob Lunch 5 episodes 2021 No Activity (voice) Episode: "40 Days & 40 Nights" Twenties Maurice 2 episodes 2021-22 Tig n' Seek Chester (voice) 8 episodes (final/posthumous role)
Video games
2000 Family Feud Himself
Books
External links
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