http://www.cstone.net/~dgarlock/carl/index2.html
Carl Anderson, who played Judas in the original movie of “Jesus Christ Superstar” and later in many touring companies, has passed away of leukemia at age 58.
I’m very, very sad. I met Carl once, and he was an all around nice guy, and very identified with the role. He’ll be missed.
This is awful! I never had the pleasure of meeting him (iirc, he only sporadically joined Ted Neely on the early 90s tour of JCS, and unfortunately not in Knoxville where I saw the show), but I had the pleasure, the joy, of hearing him sing in the movie of JCS, on shows like COP ROCK and albums.
Sad damned day for me now. Bless his loved ones left behind.
Sir Rhosis
“My mind is clearer now…”
God bless you, Carl!
Kind of ironic with tomorrow’s big movie opening.
Maybe he’ll show up at one of the screenings dressed in a white jumpsuit with very long fringe.
Now that, would be cool.
Let’s not forget his song “Freinds and Lovers” that he sang with Gloria Loring.
A friend of mine works for a branch of ClearChannel called Broadway Across America. She works with the touring productions of shows that come to the Louisville, KY, Cincy, Indianapolis area. She had the honor of working with Mr. Anderson on his last tour for Jesus Christ Superstar when he was in town. According to her, he was a great guy, very sweet, warm, and friendly.
He’ll be missed. And not everyone that misses him will know why.
His performance as Judas in the movie of Jesus Christ Superstar was Oscar-worthy. I saw him and Ted Neeley in the touring company of Superstar about ten years ago.
That’s too bad. I kept thinking of Jesus Christ Superstar on Wednesday, when I saw Passion. He was a real cool Judas.
It’s a shame for his family & for the arts, but I imagine that it’s better for him. Sad nonetheless.
Wow, I just saw this thread, resurrected (forgive the pun) from last week. Very sad. I agree that his Judas in the JCS movie is riveting; every time I see it and he sings the very first lines, “My mind is clearer now…” I get shivers.
He was the best Judas I ever saw. Fantastic voice, too. That’s sad.
I can only imagine how amazing he would have been live. Ben Vereen originated the role in the (bizarre and ill-conceived) original Broadway production; I believe Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson were first tried out for the L.A. production and later moved to B’way, then landed the roles in the movie. There’s a really old book called Rock Opera that provides a very detailed, interesting, and humorous account of the creation of JCS from before the concept album up until the movie.
And for those who are commenting on Herod being portrayed as effeminate in Mel’s Passion, the original B’way production practically had him in platforms doing a cakewalk.
I am reminded of the Leon Rosselson classic, “Stand Up for Judas” (http://www.mysongbook.de/msb/songs/s/standupf.html):