Louis Perry "Louie" Anderson (born March 24, 1953) is an American stand-up comedian. Anderson created the cartoon series Life with Louie, has written three books, and was the initial host of the second revival of the game show Family Feud, from 1999 to 2002.

Early life

Growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, Louie Anderson was the second-youngest of 11 children in his family. He went to Johnson Senior High.

Career

Anderson made his network debut as a stand-up comedian on The Tonight Show on November 20, 1984.

In late 1985, Anderson was cast as Lou Appleton alongside Bronson Pinchot on the pilot episode of Perfect Strangers for ABC (which was known in this early stage as The Greenhorn). When the show was picked up, Anderson was replaced by Mark Linn-Baker in the role of Appleton (whose first name was then changed from Lou to Larry) as the producers didn't think the chemistry between Anderson and Pinchot was quite right. The show ran for eight seasons on ABC.

In 1987, Anderson appeared in a comedy special on Showtime.

In 1988, Anderson played the salad washer at McDowell's in John Landis' film Coming to America, which starred Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall.

In 1989, Anderson guest-starred on the first episode of the MuppeTelevision segment of The Jim Henson Hour.

In 1995, Anderson created and produced a Saturday morning series for Fox called Life with Louie. The series was based on Anderson's childhood with 10 siblings, a sweet-hearted mother and a loud, war-crazed father. It also detailed how he was picked on for his weight, and how he used comedy to deal with the teasing. The show was a 3-year hit on Fox, and won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program.

In 1996, Anderson created and starred in The Louie Show for CBS. The show had Anderson playing a psychotherapist in Duluth, Minnesota.

In 1999, Anderson landed the role of host of the new version of Family Feud. Anderson asked former Feud host Richard Dawson to appear on the premiere show to give him his blessing, but Dawson declined. Anderson organized a 9/11-themed tournament week of Family Feud between the New York Fire Department (FDNY) and the New York Police Department (NYPD), putting up $75,000 toward both organizations for recovery from the September 11, 2001, attacks. Anderson was let go from the show in 2002 and replaced by former Home Improvement star Richard Karn. Although Anderson predicted the demise of the show within a year under Karn, Family Feud remains on the air; Karn, however, is no longer hosting the program after being replaced in 2006 with John O'Hurley, who in turn was replaced by Steve Harvey in 2010.

Anderson appeared on a 2001 episode of The Weakest Link, winning $31,000. He has made appearances on network television in Scrubs, Grace Under Fire, Touched by an Angel and Chicago Hope. He guest starred on the Adult Swim cameo-filled show Tom Goes to the Mayor.

Anderson played in the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas.

Louie Anderson appears in the 2013 ABC reality TV series Splash. Anderson was saved from drowning while filming by costar, football player Ndamukong Suh.

Personal life

A 1985 marriage to his high-school sweetheart lasted four weeks.

Legal troubles

In the late 1990s, Anderson was blackmailed by a man named Richard John Gordon. Gordon extorted money from Anderson, threatening to reveal to tabloids that Anderson reportedly propositioned him in a casino in 1993.

Anderson initially paid Gordon $100,000 in hush money, fearing the story would threaten his starring roles in two family-oriented series, but when Gordon's demands increased to $250,000 in 2000, he informed law-enforcement authorities. Gordon, who was 31 at the time, was arrested.

Bibliography

Anderson has authored the following:

• Dear Dad: Letters from an 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.

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