Louie Anderson
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Louie Perry Anderson (Born March 24, 1953) is an American stand-up comedian. Louie has also created the cartoon series Life with Louie, has authored three books and was the third host of the game show Family Feud from 1999-2002.
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[edit] Early life
Louie Anderson was one of eleven children and was raised on the east side of Saint Paul, Minnesota. He feels that his first audience was his family and many of his early experiences are the cornerstone of his comedy act. His material involves his relationship with his mother and father; and many life experiences.
[edit] Comedy career
In 1981, while working as a counselor for troubled children, Louie won a first-place trophy at the Midwest Comedy Competition, hosted by Henny Youngman. After the competition, Youngman hired Louie as a writer, and Louie contends that this experience was helpful in crafting his comedy routines. He made his television debut on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1984. He is number 92 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 greatest standups of all time. Louie was also in the movie Coming to America.
[edit] Television
In 1986, Anderson was cast as Larry Appleton alongside Bronson Pinchot who played Balki Bartokomous on the pilot episode of Perfect Strangers for ABC. Though the show was ultimately picked up, Anderson was replaced by Mark Linn-Baker for the role of Appleton, as the producers didn't think the chemistry between Anderson and Pinchot was quite right. The show lasted for seven seasons on ABC.
Anderson created and produced a Saturday morning series for FOX called Life with Louie in 1995. The series was based on the childhood of Louie Anderson, growing up with 10 siblings, a sweet-hearted mother and a loud, war crazed father. It also detailed how he was picked on when he was younger due to his weight, and how he used comedy as a way to deal with the teasing. The show was a three year hit on FOX.
In 1996 he tried once again to be part of a television sitcom when he created and starred in The Louie Show for CBS. The show had Anderson playing a psychotherapist living in Duluth, Minnesota. The show only lasted six episodes before it was cancelled by CBS. Anderson later said how he was dissatisfied and disappointed with the series, claiming that CBS changed it so much that by the end it wasn't even his show anymore.
Louie Anderson in 1999 landed the role as host of the new version of Family Feud. He beat out popular country singer Dolly Parton for the role. Anderson asked former Feud host Richard Dawson to come on the premiere show to give him his blessing, but Dawson declined. The new Feud had a completely new set, a techno-style party theme, and new rules. Anderson started off with a lot of energy and enthusiasm, but soon looked bored and disinterested with the program. He was let go from the show in 2002 and was replaced with former Home Improvement star Richard Karn. Somewhat bitter over losing the job, Anderson claimed the show wouldn't last more than one season with the new host, but was proved wrong, as the show is still on the air as of 2007 (although Karn left in 2006). Anderson was known for two things while on the Feud. He upped the prize money to $20,000, after shows like Jeopardy! and Who Wants to be a Millionaire gave out bigger money to their contestants. The move helped the ratings rise considerably. He also put together a special 9/11 tournament between the New York Fire Department and the New York Police Department, where Anderson himself put $75,000 of his own funds towards both organizations in helping the recovery of the September 11, 2001 disaster.
[edit] Currently
Anderson now has a regular schedule performing in Las Vegas at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. Each of the last three New Years Eve's Anderson has starred in a comedy show in Minneapolis, with business acquaintance Scott Hanson.
He has had a gap in his teeth ever since birth. When asked if he has tried to get it out he says, "My gap is my trademark, without my gap I am just an annoying game show host."
Louie has starred in his own comedy specials on HBO and Showtime and is frequently on late night talk shows. He has made appearances on network TV in Scrubs, Grace Under Fire, Touched by an Angel and Chicago Hope. Louie recently guest starred on the Adult Swim cameo-filled show Tom Goes to the Mayor.
He has worked with numerous charities. Shortly after 9/11, Louie came up with an idea to do a show in New York City for the NYPD and NYFD Widows Fund. He is also the co-founder of the H.E.R.O. organization whose mission is to empower people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless to "attain maximum self-sufficiecy." H.E.R.O. works with a variety of local agencies to enroll clients in empowerment training, that will allow them to set goals for themselves and create action plans to accomplish these goals.
He is currently continuing his charity work while simultaneously figuring out new ways to make America, and the rest of the world, laugh with him.
[edit] Books
Louie has authored the following:
Dear Dad Letters from am Adult Child A collection of letters to his late father.
Goodbye Jumbo- Hello Cruel World A self help book for those who struggle with self esteem issues.
The F Word How to Survive Your Family 49 family survival tips.
[edit] Trouble
In 1997, Anderson was blackmailed by a 31-year-old man named Richard John Gordon. Gordon extorted money from Anderson, threatening to reveal to tabloids his claim that Anderson approached him in a Ridgewood, NJ casino requesting sexual acts in 1993.
Anderson initially paid Gordon US$100,000 between 1997 and 1998, fearing the story would threaten his starring roles in two family-oriented series, but when Gordon's demands increased to US$250,000 in 2000, he informed law enforcement authorities. Gordon was arrested and sentenced to 21 months in prison.
Anderson played in the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas. He was eliminated on the first day of play, during which he received a 10-minute penalty that the tournament director could impose on people caught using foul language at the poker tables.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Richard Dawson |
Host of Family Feud September 20, 1999–September 13, 2002 |
Succeeded by Richard Karn |
