Carl Anderson (February 27, 1945 – February 23, 2004) was an American singer, film and theatre actor best known for his portrayal of Judas Iscariot in the Broadway and film versions of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.[1]
In 1992, Anderson reprised his role as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar for a "20th Anniversary of the Movie" tour, alongside Ted Neeley who also reprised his role as Jesus. Both men had agreed to do the tour only if they got to work together. Initially planned for three months, the production lasted five years and grossed over $100 million, visiting over 50 North American cities, including the Paramount Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, the Fox Theaters in Detroit, St. Louis and Atlanta, the Morris Mechanic Theatre in Baltimore, The Orpheum in San Francisco, Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island, the Wang Center and Shubert Theater during multiple returns to Boston as well as dates in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Miami, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. All these showings allowed Anderson to reprise his role over 1,700 times.
In 1997, Anderson performed on Broadway in an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night called Play On! featuring the music of Duke Ellington, playing The Duke. Beginning in 1998, and in later years of his life, he reprised his role as Judas in Superstar to sold-out auditoriums around the world.
One of his later albums, Why We Are Here! was recorded at the Agape International Spiritual Center, then located in Santa Monica, California. He continued to perform, with Linda Eder in a show called "Once in a Lifetime" produced by Eder's then-husband Frank Wildhorn.
In 2002, a national tour of Superstar began with ex-Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach playing Jesus, and Anderson once again as Judas. Bach received mixed reviews while Anderson was again praised. In April 2003, following a disagreement with the director, Bach walked out on the cast and was replaced with Broadway actor Eric Kunze. Anderson stayed on the tour for three more months, but eventually left the show after being diagnosed with leukemia. The tour closed shortly after Anderson's departure.
Personal life
In 1992 Carl Anderson married Veronica Porsche-Ali, ex-wife of boxing legend Muhammad Ali and mother of Laila and Hana.
After meeting during the production of Jesus Christ Superstar, Anderson and castmate Ted Neeley became close friends and remained so until Anderson's death. Both actors only agreed to perform in the 1992 reunion tour if the other would also participate.
Anderson was diagnosed with leukemia in the summer of 2003, while performing with the national tour of Superstar that had started in 2002. According to a page on Anderson's memorial website, he got into a minor car accident on his way to perform and, while being treated for his injuries, doctors discovered that Anderson had leukemia. Anderson died of leukemia on February 23, 2004 in Los Angeles, just four days shy of his 59th birthday. The Leonard Cohen / Anjani song "Nightingale" from 2004 was made in his memory.
In 1992, Anderson reprised his role as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar for a "20th Anniversary of the Movie" tour, alongside Ted Neeley who also reprised his role as Jesus. Both men had agreed to do the tour only if they got to work together. Initially planned for three months, the production lasted five years and grossed over $100 million, visiting over 50 North American cities, including the Paramount Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, the Fox Theaters in Detroit, St. Louis and Atlanta, the Morris Mechanic Theatre in Baltimore, The Orpheum in San Francisco, Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island, the Wang Center and Shubert Theater during multiple returns to Boston as well as dates in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Miami, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. All these showings allowed Anderson to reprise his role over 1,700 times.
In 1997, Anderson performed on Broadway in an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night called Play On! featuring the music of Duke Ellington, playing The Duke. Beginning in 1998, and in later years of his life, he reprised his role as Judas in Superstar to sold-out auditoriums around the world.
One of his later albums, Why We Are Here! was recorded at the Agape International Spiritual Center, then located in Santa Monica, California. He continued to perform, with Linda Eder in a show called "Once in a Lifetime" produced by Eder's then-husband Frank Wildhorn.
In 2002, a national tour of Superstar began with ex-Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach playing Jesus, and Anderson once again as Judas. Bach received mixed reviews while Anderson was again praised. In April 2003, following a disagreement with the director, Bach walked out on the cast and was replaced with Broadway actor Eric Kunze. Anderson stayed on the tour for three more months, but eventually left the show after being diagnosed with leukemia. The tour closed shortly after Anderson's departure.
Personal life
In 1992 Carl Anderson married Veronica Porsche-Ali, ex-wife of boxing legend Muhammad Ali and mother of Laila and Hana.
After meeting during the production of Jesus Christ Superstar, Anderson and castmate Ted Neeley became close friends and remained so until Anderson's death. Both actors only agreed to perform in the 1992 reunion tour if the other would also participate.
Anderson was diagnosed with leukemia in the summer of 2003, while performing with the national tour of Superstar that had started in 2002. According to a page on Anderson's memorial website, he got into a minor car accident on his way to perform and, while being treated for his injuries, doctors discovered that Anderson had leukemia. Anderson died of leukemia on February 23, 2004 in Los Angeles, just four days shy of his 59th birthday. The Leonard Cohen / Anjani song "Nightingale" from 2004 was made in his memory.
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