# Harry Anderson Dead at 65 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death\ **Created:** [April 16, 2018, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547 "2018-04-16T23:13:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2018, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/41 "2018-04-17T17:09:12Z")
I had a **serious** crush on Harry Anderson during his \*Cheers \*and \*Night Court \*days. ☹ > [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Anderson was a huge Mel Tourme fan, and I loved the way they put him into the show. Yes! As a kid I’d heard Mel Tormé’s recording of “The Christmas Song” (which he co-wrote), but the first time I ever heard anything else by him was on _Night Court_. I’m a jazz singer, and I still think of Harry/that show whenever I listen to Mel. ♫ ❤ ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2018, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/42 "2018-04-18T06:58:18Z")
He really kind of shut things down after _Dave’s World_. Did he just decide that he had had enough of the Hollywood game at that point? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2018, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/43 "2018-04-18T07:13:44Z")
> [@Snooooopy](#): > > He really kind of shut things down after _Dave’s World_. Did he just decide that he had had enough of the Hollywood game at that point? I hadn’t really realized what he’d been up to after _Dave’s World_. His entry on Wikipedia indicates that he had moved to New Orleans, where he and his second wife ran a magic shop, and a speakeasy, and that he did a one-man stage show in that city for some time, before moving again to North Carolina. I’d imagine that he might have been financially set after two long-running, successful TV series, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he wanted to live a lower-profile life. I loved all of his work, and I’m sad to see that he died too young. ---
**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:** [April 18, 2018, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/44 "2018-04-18T07:48:14Z")
I thought he was great as the adult Ritchie Tozier in the “It” miniseries (he was the grown-up version of Seth Green). And Harry, your passing hit me in a little corner of my soul that was previously only occupied by John Ritter. I never really thought I was watching actors. It was like watching a friend. ---
**Author:** ![witzel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/edb3f5/32.png) [@witzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/witzel)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2018, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/45 "2018-04-18T17:52:49Z")
The Ringer added a poignant obituary yesterday that’s worth a read. It also details his life after sitcoms (he never considered himself an actor, for starters). [https://www.theringer.com/tv/2018/4/17/17248358/harry-anderson-obituary-night-court-magic](https://www.theringer.com/tv/2018/4/17/17248358/harry-anderson-obituary-night-court-magic) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2018, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/46 "2018-04-18T18:10:16Z")
Thank you for sharing that, witzel. A great article, and it does explain why he largely vanished from TV after _Dave’s World_. I’m glad to hear that it was because he wanted to get back to doing what he loved. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2018, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/47 "2018-04-18T18:24:35Z")
Yesterday I bought Season 1 of _Night Court_ via iTunes/Apple TV ($10), and started watching it. Seemed like the thing to do. I can see buying a few more seasons. FWIW, S1 E2 is the reason I started watching _Night Court_: Michael J. Fox had a cameo as a teen criminal (he was 22 when it aired). _Family Ties_ had started me down the road of becoming a massive Fox fan – he’s the only celebrity I’ve ever written to; I think I still have the scrapbook I made in high school – and when I read that he was going to guest-star on this new show, I decided to watch. Then I stuck around for Harry Anderson. Back then I tended to pick shows based on cute boys. 😃 (Hell, sometimes I still do!) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2018, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/48 "2018-04-18T18:38:01Z")
> [@witzel](#): > > The Ringer added a poignant obituary yesterday that’s worth a read. It also details his life after sitcoms (he never considered himself an actor, for starters). > > [https://www.theringer.com/tv/2018/4/17/17248358/harry-anderson-obituary-night-court-magic](https://www.theringer.com/tv/2018/4/17/17248358/harry-anderson-obituary-night-court-magic) That was amazing; thanks for linking it. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/49 "2018-04-19T21:55:55Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Shit. > _Night Court_ is one of my all-time favorites. > [@Sefton](#): > > I loved Harry Anderson. He and John Larroquette made _Night Court_ a great show. RIP. dittos > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Also, snapped pencil, raised hands, table, doll. Break up hard voodoo, indeed! ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/50 "2018-04-20T16:52:07Z")
> [@xizor](#): > > Is this a well known story or just a personal anecdote? Either way I would like to hear more. Harry was one of those celebrities that I had never heard negative comments about. I want to know, too. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/51 "2018-04-20T16:55:31Z")
I always wondered what happened to Anderson after Night Court. He dropped out of sight. I didn’t recognize him in recent photos. RIP ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2018, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/52 "2018-04-20T17:04:24Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I always wondered what happened to Anderson after Night Court. He dropped out of sight. Well, as others have already noted, after _Night Court_, he was plenty visible for four seasons as the lead on _Dave’s World_. But, that show ended 21 years ago, and that was, in fact, when he left Hollywood behind. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2018, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/53 "2018-04-20T17:30:11Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Well, as others have already noted, after _Night Court_, he was plenty visible for four seasons as the lead on _Dave’s World_. There are a couple of episodes on YouTube. Coincidentally, [one of them](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qBy1sdK8cY) has the moment I remember most from the series. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2018, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/54 "2018-04-20T18:01:41Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I didn’t recognize him in recent photos. > > RIP Yikes, what pictures did you see that made him unrecognizable? I see some pics out there, but he just looks older…but like himself. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2018, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/55 "2018-04-20T18:44:46Z")
He didn’t look sick. I just wouldn’t have recognized Harry on the street or in line at a store. I only knew him from Night Court and he was very thin. Scroll down to Harry wearing with the green shirt holding a rubber chicken. [https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2018/04/harry-anderson-dies-beloved-night-court-star-was-65/amp/?source=images](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2018/04/harry-anderson-dies-beloved-night-court-star-was-65/amp/?source=images) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2018, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/56 "2018-04-20T18:54:13Z")
err, green jacket and pink shirt. Harry always dressed colorfully. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/57 "2018-04-20T19:06:08Z")
> [@witzel](#): > > The Ringer added a poignant obituary yesterday that’s worth a read. It also details his life after sitcoms (he never considered himself an actor, for starters). > > [https://www.theringer.com/tv/2018/4/17/17248358/harry-anderson-obituary-night-court-magic](https://www.theringer.com/tv/2018/4/17/17248358/harry-anderson-obituary-night-court-magic) That was literally the best obit I’ve ever read…and very informative. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2018, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/58 "2018-04-20T19:37:40Z")
Great obit. Explains why he left New Orleans and spent his final years in Asheville, N Carolina. Small city of 89,000. Seems like a good place to retire. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2018, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/59 "2018-04-20T21:05:23Z")
I was listening to _Fresh Air_ on NPR this afternoon; they replayed an interview with Anderson from 1989, mostly about his early days as a con artist and street magician. If anyone’s interested, it’s on the NPR site: > **[Before He Became The 'Night Court' Judge, Harry Anderson Was A Con-Man Magician](https://www.npr.org/2018/04/20/604311802/before-he-became-the-night-court-judge-harry-anderson-was-a-con-man-magician)** > > Anderson, who died April 16, began his career as a street performer specializing in elaborate pranks. He spoke to Fresh Air in 1989 about an illusion in which he pretended to chop off his own hand. ---
**Author:** ![Haldurson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/51bf81/32.png) [@Haldurson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Haldurson)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2018, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547/60 "2018-04-23T03:47:43Z")
I remember seeing him perform with his wife at my college back in the late 1970s. The only thing I remember about it was an escape trick. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-anderson-dead-at-65/812547.md?page=4)