Kevin Anderson
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Biography
A member of Chicago's acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the compact, handsome dark-haired Kevin Anderson originated the role of the feral, semi-primitive captive brother in the Chicago, Off-Broadway and London productions of Lyle Kessler's "Orphans" and reprised the part in Alan Pakula's 1987 screen adaptation.
Born and raise in Illinois, Anderson received his training at the Goodman Theatre School of Drama in Chicago, where he appeared in "Hey, Stay Awhile" and "Pal Joey." Joining the prestigious Steppenwolf Theatre Company, he essayed roles in "Our Town," "Twelfth Night" and "The Three Sisters" before landing his breakthrough role in "Orphans." Although lacking some of the sexual magnetism brought to the film version ("The Fugitive Kind" 1960) by Marlon Brando, Anderson made a credible Val Xavier opposite Vanessa Redgrave in both the Broadway revival and TV adaptation (TNT, 1990) of Tennessee Williams' "Orpheus Descending." He was tapped to portray Joe Gillis to Patti LuPone's Norma Desmond in the 1993 world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicalization of "Sunset Boulevard." Although he earned respectable notices, Anderson (like co-star LuPone) was passed over for the show's Broadway production. He returned to the US stage in 1996 co-starring in David Ives' "The Red Address."
On the big screen, Anderson made his film debut as one of Tom Cruise's cronies in "Risky Business" (1983). After portraying a Peace Corps worker in "A Walk on the Moon" (1987), he played Richard Gere's yielding brother in the farm drama "Miles From Home" (1988) and delivered a sharp performance as Emily Lloyd's young boyfriend in "In Country" (1989). Anderson was also sympathetic as the scruffy, bearish drama professor whom Julia Roberts comes to trust in "Sleeping With the Enemy" (1991). He essayed the role of Bobby Kennedy in Danny De Vito's "Hoffa" (1992), was the yuppie apartment owner in the middling comedy "The Night We Never Met" and had a pivotal role in "Rising Sun" (both 1993).
After losing the chance to appear on Broadway in "Sunset Boulevard," Anderson returned to the USA and embarked on a cross-country motorcycle trip. He was struck by a car in Seattle, suffering a broken leg and broken arm. Due to other health complications (including a fat embolism), however, his recovery was long and painful. Anderson spent almost two years undergoing treatment and literally had to learn to walk again. Once recovered, he returned to work in William Nicholson's fantasy "Firelight" (1998). Anderson then starred in Tim Blake Nelson's critically-acclaimed, non-linear "Eye of God" (1997), portraying a recently released convict who seemingly has reformed. He went on to co-star as Michelle Pfeiffer's husband in "A Thousand Acres" (also 1997) and made his TV series debut as an unconventional priest struggling with his vocation and with the problems of his parishioners in "Nothing Sacred" (ABC, 1997-98). Before the show even aired, it had engendered controversy among Catholic groups over how the actor's character would be portrayed. ABC failed to get behind the show, programming it first on Thursdays against NBC's hit comedies and later relegating it to Saturdays before finally canceling the show.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Music (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1983
Film debut, "Risky Business" (billed as Kevin C Anderson)
1983
Joined the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago where he appeared in "Our Town," "Twelfth Night," "The Three Sisters" and starred in "Orphans"
1985
Off-Broadway debut with Steppenwolf production of "Orphans" when it moved to New York; also starred in London production
1987
Recreated his stage role in feature version of "Orphans"
1987
First screen lead, "A Walk on the Moon"
1989
Broadway debut as Val Xavier opposite Vanessa Redgrave in Tennessee Williams' "Orpheus Decending"
1990
TV debut reprising role of Val (again opposite Vanessa Redgrave) in the TNT adaptation of "Orpheus Descending"
1991
Had romantic lead opposite Julia Roberts in "Sleeping with the Enemy"
1993
Played Joe Gillis to Patti LuPone's Norma Desmond in London premiere of "Sunset Boulevard"
1994
While travelling on his motorcycle was struck by a car in Seattle; hospitalized with a broken arm and broken leg; a series of health problems led to a slow recovery in which Anderson had to re-learn how to walk
1996
First role after his recovery, co-starred in William Nicholson's "Firelight" (released theatrically in 1998)
1996
Returned to the stage in the Off-Broadway production of "The Red Address" by David Ives
1997
Cast in leading role of a priest in the ABC drama series "Nothing Sacred"; nominated for a Golden Globe for this role
1997
Had leading role in the independent film "Eye of God"; also played Michelle Pfeiffer's husband in "A Thousand Acres"
1998
Played Biff Loman in Chicago revival of "Death of a Salesman"; production opened on Broadway in February 1999
2001
Starred opposite Angela Bassett in "Ruby's Bucket of Blood" (Showtime)
2002
Cast as Frank Gifford in the TNT movie "Monday Night Mayhem"
2002
Portrayed John F. Kennedy in the Showtime movie "Beauty and Power: The Judith Exner Story"
2006
Played Jokanaan in Oscar Wilde's Salome at the Wadsworth Theatre in Los Angeles
2008
Cast as Doc in the Broadway production of William Inge's "Come Back Little Sheba"
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