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 (1972-12-14) December 14, 1972 (age 51)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • voice actor
  • singer
Years active1997–present
Known forWaitress
Moulin Rouge!
Spouse
(m. 2011)
Children1

Career in California

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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

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In 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

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Anderson 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

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Anderson is married to actress Jessica Rush, and has a daughter, Elliot.[citation needed]

Theatre credits

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Year Title Role Theatre Director(s) Ref.
2007 Camelot Merlyn

u/s King Arthur
u/s King Pellinore

National tour Glenn Casale [citation needed]
2009 South Pacific Stewpot (replacement) Lincoln Center Bartlett Sher [citation needed]
2013 Kinky Boots Ensemble Al Hirschfeld Theatre Jerry Mitchell
Soul Doctor Shlomo Carlebach Circle in the Square Theatre Daniel Wise
2014 Rocky: The Musical Gazzo, Tommy Crosetti, Rocky's Cornerman Winter Garden Theatre Alex Timbers
Death Note: The Musical Ryuk English concept album and workshop
2014–2015 The Last Ship Freddy Newlands Neil Simon Theatre Joe Mantello [citation needed]
2015 Parade Detective J.N. Starnes Lincoln Center Gary Griffin
Waitress Cal American Repertory Theater (out-of-town tryout) Diane Paulus
2016–2017 Brooks Atkinson Theatre
2017 Moulin Rouge! Harold Zidler Unknown, Workshop
2018–2019 Pretty Woman: The Musical Happy Man / Barney Thompson Nederlander Theatre Jerry Mitchell
2021 Waitress Cal Ethel Barrymore Theatre Diane Paulus
2022–2024 Moulin Rouge! Harold Zidler Al Hirschfeld Theatre Alex Timbers
2024 The Great Gatsby Meyer Wolfshiem Broadway Theatre Marc Bruni

Awards and nominations

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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

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  1. ^ "Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle – LADCC Awards". Archived from the original on February 20, 2007. Retrieved February 13, 2007.
  2. ^ "2002 Awards".
  3. ^ Pacific News, New York Theater Guide, January 9, 2006
  4. ^ "Kinky Boots Cast". Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  5. ^ 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
  6. ^ Hetrick, Adam. "The Verdict: Critics Review Shlomo Carlebach Musical 'Soul Doctor' On Broadway" playbill.com, August 16, 2013
  7. ^ Clark, Jason. "Tom Hanks, Bette Midler and Steve Martin among 2013 Drama Desk Nominations" popwatch.ew.com, April 29, 2013
  8. ^ Viagas, Robert. "Christopher Fitzgerald Joins Cast of Broadway Bound Waitress" playbill.com, November 4, 2015
  9. ^ Eric Anderson at IMDb
  10. ^ "Inside the Playbill: Kinky Boots Opening Night at Al Hirschfeld Theatre". playbillvault.com. Playbill. p. 4. Archived from the original on September 19, 2013.
  11. ^ Zinoman, Jason (August 15, 2012). "TReligious Roots Tangle With the Groovy '60s". The New York Times.
  12. ^ "Complete Cast and Creative Team Announced for Rocky on Broadway". Playbill. November 25, 2013. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014.
  13. ^ parade lincoln center
  14. ^ "Jessie Mueller to Star in Sara Bareilles 'Waitress'" gulfnews.com
  15. ^ "Sara Bareilles' Waitress Musical, Starring Jessie Mueller, Reveals Complete Cast". Playbill. June 22, 2015.
  16. ^ "'Waitress' Musical Adds Kimiko Glenn of 'Orange is the New Black'". Variety. November 5, 2015.
  17. ^ Clement, Olivia (November 22, 2017). "'Pretty Woman' Musical Finds Its Broadway Home, Sets Summer 2018 Opening"". Playbill.
  18. ^ Opening Up…Again: Waitress Returns to Broadway September 2
  19. ^ Eric Anderson Joins Cast of Broadway's Moulin Rouge the Musical
  20. ^ Noah J. Ricketts, Samantha Pauly, Eric Anderson, and More Join the Cast of THE GREAT GATSBY on Broadway
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