# Carl Anderson has died **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 24, 2004, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carl-anderson-has-died/230892 "2004-02-24T14:40:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carl-anderson-has-died/230892/1 "2004-02-24T14:40:34Z")
[http://www.cstone.net/~dgarlock/carl/index2.html](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. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Rhosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carl-anderson-has-died/230892/2 "2004-02-24T22:04:47Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carl-anderson-has-died/230892/3 "2004-02-24T23:09:03Z")
“My mind is clearer now…” God bless you, Carl! ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carl-anderson-has-died/230892/4 "2004-02-25T02:16:10Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carl-anderson-has-died/230892/5 "2004-02-26T18:43:41Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carl-anderson-has-died/230892/6 "2004-02-26T18:55:25Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carl-anderson-has-died/230892/7 "2004-02-29T05:13:17Z")
That’s too bad. I kept thinking of _Jesus Christ Superstar_ on Wednesday, when I saw _Passion_. He was a real cool Judas. ---
**Author:** ![Cosmopolitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carl-anderson-has-died/230892/8 "2004-02-29T05:50:21Z")
It’s a shame for his family & for the arts, but I imagine that it’s better for him. Sad nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carl-anderson-has-died/230892/9 "2004-02-29T18:18:24Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carl-anderson-has-died/230892/10 "2004-02-29T18:24:17Z")
He was the best Judas I ever saw. Fantastic voice, too. That’s sad. ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carl-anderson-has-died/230892/11 "2004-02-29T18:50:08Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carl-anderson-has-died/230892/12 "2004-02-29T18:53:03Z")
I am reminded of the Leon Rosselson classic, “Stand Up for Judas” ([http://www.mysongbook.de/msb/songs/s/standupf.html](http://www.mysongbook.de/msb/songs/s/standupf.html)): > [@](#): > > Now Jesus brought division where none had been before > Not the slaves against their masters but the poor against the poor > Set son to rise up against father, and brother to fight against brother > For he that is not with me is against me, was his teaching > Said Jesus, I am the answer > You unbelievers shall burn forever, shall die in your sins > Not sheep and goats, said Judas, But together we may dare > Shake off the chains of misery we share > > Chorus: > So stand up, stand up for Judas and the cause that Judas served > It was Jesus who betrayed the poor with his word