by Harry Anderson, best known for starring in the NBC Must-See TV sitcom Night Court from 1984-1992, has died at his home in North Carolina. He was 65.
Born Oct. 14, 1952, in Newport, R.I., Anderson and his family moved to Chicago, where he discovered card games, magic tricks and hustling. He took those tricks with him to Hollywood, where he spent his teen years (graduating as class valedictorian in 1970 from North Hollywood High), before making the move to San Francisco to start his career.
Perhaps you first saw him on HBO’s Young Comedians Special, or the even more special Young Comedians Special Reunion. Or perhaps you saw him in one of his eight appearances on Saturday Night Live between 1981-1985. Or perhaps you saw him as con man Harry “The Hat” in multiple episodes of Cheers.
Anderson was a three-time Emmy nominee for his role as Judge Harry Stone on Night Court.
After that, he starred in the sitcom Dave’s World, based on the life of columnist Dave Barry, which ran for four seasons (1993-97) on CBS. He also played the adult Richie Tozier in the TV version of Stephen King’s It.
Still working toward the end, Anderson reappeared to guest host an episode of Gotham Comedy Live! for AXS-TV in 2016.
But for the real magic…here’s his 1986 Showtime special, Hello, Sucker!
