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Thomas Charles Anderson performed on stage, radio, television, and screen for over seven decades. A native of Pasadena, CA, Anderson never received formal training, but still found his way to Broadway where the young black actor would often play opposite James Earl Jones and Pearl Bailey in The Great White Hope and Hello Dolly!, respectively. Before that, Anderson had made his name on New York radio during the '30s. He returned to radio during WWII to host The Navy Show, which was broadcast outside of Chicago at the Great Lakes Naval Base. Anderson also joined the U.S.O. for a South Pacific tour. Anderson's few film credits include The Learning Tree (1969) and Shaft's Big Score (1972). His television performances include appearances on Search for Tomorrow and Law & Order.