Born Name:  Edmund Lincoln Anderson

Born Date:  September 18, 1905

Born Place:  Oakland, California

Died Date:  February 28, 1977

Died Place:  Los Angeles, California

Occupations:  Actor, comedian

Brief Biography:  Eddie "Rochester" Anderson best known as Jack Benny's valet on The Jack Benny Program (1937–1965). He was the first African American to hold a recurring role on a nationwide radio program and became a beloved figure, despite later criticisms of the stereotypical role, which he often played with a sharp wit.

Early Life and Career:
Vaudeville: Began his career at 14 in a song-and-dance act with his brother, eventually joining "The Three Black Aces".
Film Start: Entered movies in 1932, with early roles in What Price Hollywood? (1932) and Green Pastures (1936).

"Rochester" and Stardom:
The Jack Benny Program: Joined the show in 1937 for a one-shot role as a train porter but was so well-received he became a permanent cast member (valet "Rochester Van Jones").
Impact: His comedic timing and raspy voice made him a huge success, and he was often the only person able to "win" against Benny's stingy, narcissistic radio persona.

Notable Filmography:
Gone with the Wind (1939) – Played Uncle Peter.
Cabin in the Sky (1943) – Starred alongside Ethel Waters and Lena Horne.
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963).

Later Life and Legacy:
Business: During World War II, he owned a parachute supply company.
Later Career: Continued appearing as a guest on TV shows and did voice work after the Benny program ended in 1965.
Awards: Inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1975 and the Radio Hall of Fame in 2001.