Erich Anderson Dies: ‘Felicity’, ‘Thirtysomething’ Actor Was 67
Erich Anderson, Keri Russell, 'Felicity' (2000) Byron Cohen / © Touchstone Television / Courtesy Everett Collection
Erich Anderson, a prolific television actor perhaps best known for his portrayal on Felicity as the title character’s father, died of cancer May 31 in Los Angeles. He was 67.
His death was announced on social media by wife and actor Saxon Trainor.
In 1990 he landed a recurring role that would become one of his most recognizable: On seven episodes of thirtysomething, he played Billy Sidel, a romantic partner for Polly Draper’s Ellyn Warren. After a sometimes rocky path, the two characters were married late in the series.
The ’90s also saw appearances on Star Trek: The Next Generation (as Commander Kieran MacDuff in the episode, “Conundrum”), Melrose Place, Matlock, Sisters, 7th Heaven, Touched By An Angel, NYPD Blue, Jag and, in 1998, as Dr. Edward Porter, father of star Keri Russell’s Felicity in the series of that name.
Anderson stayed busy on television well into the 21st Century, with appearances on Major Crimes, Franklin & Bash, and a six-episode run on Bosch, among other shows.
In her post announcing Anderson’s death, wife Trainor wrote that she was “too bereft” to write anything extensive, but shared the following statement from brother-in-law Michael O’Malley: “My brother in law Erich Anderson passed this morning after a brutal struggle with cancer. He had a long successful career as an actor—he was on that old show 30something; he was Felicity’s father on “Felicity;” he was killed in a basement in a Friday the 13th movie: he was on Star Trek and dozens of other shows. He was a smart and funny guy, a fantastic cook; he wrote three great novels which you can find on Amazon. I’ll miss him but his ordeal is over.”
Complete information on survivors was not immediately available.