Carl Anderson, Judas In 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' Dies

wftv.com ^ | 02/24/2004 | staff

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

The actor-singer who played Judas in the film and stage versions of "Jesus Christ: Superstar" has died.

According to the Virginia paper Lynchburg News & Advance, Carl Anderson died in Los Angeles Monday after a battle with leukemia. He was 58.

Anderson was a Lynchburg native. According to the paper, he regularly returned to his hometown to perform and conduct workshops.

According to Broadway.com, Anderson made his Broadway debut as Judas in "Jesus Christ Superstar" -- written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice -- in 1971. He landed the film role of Judas for the film version, opposite Ted Neely as Jesus, six months later.

The film role earned Anderson Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture Actor in a Musical or Comedy and Most Promising Newcomer -- Male in 1974. The stage role a earned Anderson a NAACP Award for Theater, reported the Lynchburg News & Advance.

Anderson reprised his role as Judas for the 20th anniversary tour of the stage version of "Jesus Christ Superstar" in 1992, and he embarked on another tour of the musical with Sebastian Bach in the role of Jesus (pictured with Anderson, above) just before being diagnosed with leukemia.

Anderson's other Broadway roles included "Play On!" and he can be heard on the concept recording of Frank Wildhorn's "The Civil War."

On film, Anderson also appeared in "The Color Purple," and he guest starred on several television shows including "The Rockford Files," "Magnum, "P.I.," "Starsky & Hutch" and "The Incredible Hulk."

Anderson is survived by his mother, wife, son, two stepdaughters, six sisters and three brothers. A memorial fund has been set up in Anderson's name at the Lynchburg Academy of Fine Arts, at 600 Main St., Lynchburg, VA 24504. Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc.

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[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

Poor Old Judas, So Long, Judas

[theDentist]

Kind of ironic....

[Intolerant in NJ]

Jesus Christ Superstar...speaking of which, how 'bout the scene with the Jewish priests pounding their hands and singing "this Jesus must, Jesus must, Jesus must die" - I don't recall any great outcry of "anti-semitism" about the original show or movie, or reports of increased anti-semitic feelings or activities following the release of either for that matter........

[billorites]

[GraniteStateConservative]

The dude sure could sing.

[EllaMinnow]

I was just about to post that exact picture...glad I checked!

[BoomerBob]

A true shame... I had the opportunity to see both him and Ted Neely during a JCS revival tour in the late 90's. His voice was even better than it was in the '70s. From everything I've read he was a genuinely nice person as well.

[EllaMinnow]

Heads-up ping.

[Ditto]

RIP. He sure had a great set of pipes.

[ShadowDancer]

Godspell was a freakshow from start to finish.

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

my wife (repogirl) said when opening up this thread . . . "oh that guy, he could sing."

[dead]

I was going to say the same thing. I'm surprised he didn't find more fame.

His voice was extremely powerful and unique.

[dfwgator]

I don't recall any great outcry of "anti-semitism" about the original show or movie, or reports of increased anti-semitic feelings or activities following the release of either for that matter........

I'm surprised that there wasn't an outcry over Judas being portrayed by a Black man.

[GraniteStateConservative]

my wife (repogirl) said when opening up this thread . . . "oh that guy, he could sing."

Are you at side-by-side computers? Do you FReep together?

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

God, I also loved the song "I only want to say" from right before Christ's betrayl and arrest. Hauntingly beautiful.

[dead]

Godspell was a freakshow from start to finish.

What are you talking about, child?!

[vollmond]

And now, I'm greatly amused to watch Jesus from Godspell play Sydney's Dad on Alias.

[Junior]

There is one haunting melody sung by a woman, however.

"Try not to worry, try not to turn onto problems that upset you.
"Oh, don't you know. "Everything's alright, yeah everything's fine..."

I love to watch this movie during Lent. It definitely gets me in the right mood.

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

well, our offices in the house are side by side and we are both big freepers.