Edward Erich Anderson (October 24, 1956 – June 1, 2024) was an American actor and novelist. He starred in film and on television, and was widely known for his role in the 1984 horror film Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter as Rob Dier. He also starred in the 1988 film Bat*21 and in the 2002 drama film Unfaithful.

Erich Anderson
Erich Anderson at the Scandinavian sci-fi, game and film convention in Gothenburg, 2016.
Anderson in 2016
Born
Edward Erich Anderson

(1956-10-24)October 24, 1956
Sagamihara, Japan
DiedJune 1, 2024(2024-06-01) (aged 67)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesE. Erich Anderson
Alma materUniversity of California, Santa Barbara
Occupations
  • Actor
  • novelist
Years active1983–2022
Notable workFriday the 13th: The Final Chapter
Spouse
Saxon Trainor
(m. 2003)

Background

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Edward Erich Anderson was born on October 24, 1956, to an American family in Sagamihara, Japan.[1][2] He grew up in a military family, and moved frequently throughout his childhood.[1] He attended Hilltop High School in Chula Vista, California, and went on to study biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara.[1][3] He initially aspired to attend medical school, but eventually decided to pursue acting.[1]

Career

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Among Anderson's early roles was a role on Bay City Blues in 1983.[1][3] During this time, he was cast in Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter.[1]

Anderson appeared on over 300 television episodes through his career.[1] Noted television appearances included the series Second Chances as Bruce Christianson, thirtysomething as Billy Sidel, and Felicity as Felicity's father. He also guest starred on Melrose Place as Courtney Thorne-Smith's psychiatrist.[1] Anderson acted on episodes of Murder, She Wrote, CSI, CSI: Miami, Star Trek: The Next Generation in the Season 5 episode "Conundrum" as Commander Kieran MacDuff, and Boomtown as D.A. Ben Fisher. He also appeared in Season 3 Episode 19 of US drama House. He also had a role as Evan, the lead character in The Outer Limits Season 2 Episode 16 "The Deprogrammers" which co-starred Brent Spiner.

Anderson also published three novels between 2012 and 2022.[1]

Personal life and death

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Anderson was married to actress Saxon Trainor. He died from esophageal cancer at his home in Los Angeles, on June 1, 2024, at the age of 67.[1][3]

Select filmography

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Film and television roles
Year Title Role Notes
1984 Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter Rob Dier Film
1984 Missing in Action Masucci Film
1986 Welcome to 18 Roscoe Film
1987-91 Thirtysomething Billy Sidel
1988 Patty Hearst 1st Male Film
1988 Bat*21 Major Jake Scott Film
1992 Star Trek: The Next Generation Commander Kieran MacDuff 1 episode:

"Conundrum"

1994 Matlock Tom 1 episode
1994 The Glass Shield District Attorney Ira Kern Film
1995 The Final Cut Talberg Film
1996 Infinity Gil Film
1997 Nightwatch Newscaster Film
1998 Without Limits Collin Pounder Uncredited[citation needed]
1998 Where's Marlowe? Detective Simmons Film
1999 Thick as Thieves Tenesco Film
2000 Auggie Rose Paul Film
2002 Unfaithful Bob Gaylord Film
2006 Special Newscaster Film
2009 His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th Himself Documentary
2016 Officer Downe The Bartender Film
2017 The Neighbor Brian Film
2018 Cold Brook Meisenger Film

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Tumin, Remy (June 5, 2024). "Erich Anderson, Actor in 'Friday the 13th' and 'Felicity,' Dies at 67". The New York Times. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  2. ^ Linnea Crowther (June 3, 2024). "Erich Anderson (1957–2024), Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter star". legacy.
  3. ^ a b c Barnes, Mike (June 4, 2024). "Erich Anderson, 'Felicity' and 'Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter' Actor, Dies at 67". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
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