Eric Anderson (born December 14, 1972) is an American actor. On Broadway, he has originated roles in Waitress, Kinky Boots, The Last Ship, Rocky, and Soul Doctor, and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. He portrayed Mr. O'Malley in The Greatest Showman (2017). In 2022, he took over the role of Harold Zidler in the jukebox musical Moulin Rouge! on Broadway.
Eric Anderson | |
|---|---|
Anderson in 2015 | |
| Born | December 14, 1972 |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1997–present |
| Known for | Waitress Moulin Rouge! |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Career in California
editThis section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (June 2023) |
In 2006, Anderson won the inaugural Joel Hirschhorn award for outstanding achievement in musical theatre, awarded by the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle.[1] He received two San Diego Critics Circle Craig Noel Awards[2] and multiple Back Stage West Garland Awards as best actor in a musical.
His performances on the West Coast have included Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, Richard M. Nixon in Judy's Scary Little Christmas, and Burrs in both versions of The Wild Party. Anderson is a member of the Troubadour Theater Company.
He left California in 2007 to play Merlyn in a U.S. national tour of Camelot opposite Michael York, and moved to New York in 2008. In 2020, he returned to the West Coast to play Captain Hook in Fly at La Jolla Playhouse.
Broadway
editIn 2009, Anderson made his Broadway debut as Stewpot in the Tony award-winning revival of South Pacific at Lincoln Center.[3] He was in the original Broadway casts of Kinky Boots,[4] written by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper, Rocky the Musical, The Last Ship written by Sting, and Soul Doctor at the Circle in the Square Theatre,[5] where he received critical acclaim[6] for his starring role as Shlomo Carlebach. Anderson was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical[7] for his portrayal in the pre-Broadway production at New York Theatre Workshop. Anderson originated the role of Cal in the musical adaption of Waitress on Broadway, written by Sara Bareilles.[8] Anderson also played the role of Barney Thompson in the musical adaptation of Pretty Woman. In 2022, he took over the role of Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge! at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre; after Danny Burstein's departure from the show.
Film and television
editAnderson portrayed Mr. O'Malley in The Greatest Showman (2017), and has had guest roles on television, including Elementary, The Good Wife, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Alias.[9]
Personal life
editAnderson is married to actress Jessica Rush, and has a daughter, Elliot.[citation needed]
Theatre credits
editAwards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award | Joel Hirschhorn Award for outstanding achievement in musical theatre | Won | |
| 2013 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Soul Doctor | Nominated |
| 2024 | Broadway.com Audience Award | Favorite Featured Actor in a Musical | The Great Gatsby | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ "Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle – LADCC Awards". Archived from the original on February 20, 2007. Retrieved February 13, 2007.
- ^ "2002 Awards".
- ^ Pacific News, New York Theater Guide, January 9, 2006
- ^ "Kinky Boots Cast". Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam. "Shlomo Carlebach Musical Soul Doctor Will Play Broadway's Circle in the Square This Summer; Eric Anderson Will Star" playbill.com, May 29, 2013
- ^ Hetrick, Adam. "The Verdict: Critics Review Shlomo Carlebach Musical 'Soul Doctor' On Broadway" playbill.com, August 16, 2013
- ^ Clark, Jason. "Tom Hanks, Bette Midler and Steve Martin among 2013 Drama Desk Nominations" popwatch.ew.com, April 29, 2013
- ^ Viagas, Robert. "Christopher Fitzgerald Joins Cast of Broadway Bound Waitress" playbill.com, November 4, 2015
- ^ Eric Anderson at IMDb
- ^ "Inside the Playbill: Kinky Boots Opening Night at Al Hirschfeld Theatre". playbillvault.com. Playbill. p. 4. Archived from the original on September 19, 2013.
- ^ Zinoman, Jason (August 15, 2012). "TReligious Roots Tangle With the Groovy '60s". The New York Times.
- ^ "Complete Cast and Creative Team Announced for Rocky on Broadway". Playbill. November 25, 2013. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014.
- ^ parade lincoln center
- ^ "Jessie Mueller to Star in Sara Bareilles 'Waitress'" gulfnews.com
- ^ "Sara Bareilles' Waitress Musical, Starring Jessie Mueller, Reveals Complete Cast". Playbill. June 22, 2015.
- ^ "'Waitress' Musical Adds Kimiko Glenn of 'Orange is the New Black'". Variety. November 5, 2015.
- ^ Clement, Olivia (November 22, 2017). "'Pretty Woman' Musical Finds Its Broadway Home, Sets Summer 2018 Opening"". Playbill.
- ^ Opening Up…Again: Waitress Returns to Broadway September 2
- ^ Eric Anderson Joins Cast of Broadway's Moulin Rouge the Musical
- ^ Noah J. Ricketts, Samantha Pauly, Eric Anderson, and More Join the Cast of THE GREAT GATSBY on Broadway