Arthur Anderson (actor)
A versatile character actor with a gentle, resonant voice who brought warmth to hundreds of roles across eight decades of American entertainment.
1922–2016 (age 94)·American actor·Birthday: August 29·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Arthur Anderson began his professional acting career as a child on Broadway, appearing alongside Ethel Barrymore. His voice, plaintive and precise, suited the golden age of radio; Orson Welles cast him regularly on The Mercury Theatre on the Air. Anderson worked steadily across television, from early live dramas to guest roles on 'Law & Order,' and in films such as 'The Purple Rose of Cairo.' He never achieved wide public recognition, but directors trusted him for specific, often kindly, character parts. His final performance, nearly ninety years after his stage debut, was a voice role in a video game. He lived and worked in New York City his entire life, a dedicated craftsman of his art.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Arthur was born in 1922, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Arthur Was Born
The biggest hits of 1922
#1 Movie
Robin Hood
Arthur's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1922Born
King Tut's tomb discovered in Egypt
President: Warren G. Harding"April Showers" — Al Jolson
1927Started school
Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic; The Jazz Singer premieres
President: Calvin Coolidge"My Blue Heaven" — Gene Austin
1935Became a teenager
Social Security Act signed into law
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,450President: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Cheek to Cheek" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Mutiny on the Bounty
1938Could drive
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1940Could vote
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1943Turned 21
Allies invade Sicily; Battle of Stalingrad ends
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,290Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry JamesBest Picture: Casablanca
1952Turned 30
Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,350Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Blue Tango" — Leroy AndersonBest Picture: The Greatest Show on Earth
1962Turned 40
Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,800Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Stranger on the Shore" — Acker BilkBest Picture: Lawrence of Arabia
1972Turned 50
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1982Turned 60
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1992Turned 70
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2002Turned 80
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2016Died at 94
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
Key Achievements
- Performed as a regular actor in Orson Welles's renowned Mercury Theatre radio company in the late 1930s.
- Enjoyed a Broadway career spanning from 1928 to 1993, appearing in plays like 'The Winslow Boy' and 'The Crucible'.
- Accumulated over 100 film and television credits, including roles in 'The Purple Rose of Cairo' and 'Regarding Henry'.
- Maintained an active acting career for over 85 years, from childhood to his late 80s.
Did You Know?
He was the voice of the Lucky Charms leprechaun in television commercials for over 30 years, from 1964 to 1992.
Anderson made his Broadway debut at age six in the play 'The Wolves'.
He served in the US Army Air Forces during World War II, producing and acting in training and morale films.
His final credited role was a voice part in the 2013 video game 'BioShock Infinite', released when he was 90.
“I was the voice of Lucky the Leprechaun for thirty-eight years.”
