Harry Anderson

Question: A friend of mine was talking about Harry Anderson the other day and it brought to mind a guy by the name of Herbert Anderson, who played Henry Mitchell on Dennis the Menace. She said she thought that Herbert was Harry's father. I say no way and dinner at an expensive restaurant is riding on the answer. Please help. You seem to know everything. Thank you.

Answer: Well, I don't know everything (see below), but I do know you've got a free dinner coming. Harry Anderson's father, while an L.A. resident for a time, was a traveling salesman. Enjoy the meal — I love when I settle a bet and know what the stakes are; I mean, I've gotta feel like I'm having some impact on the world, don't I? — and read more about Anderson and Night Court here.

Question: My boyfriend and I were watching a Night Court rerun the other night and ended up having an argument about Harry Anderson. I think he was a magician before he had that show, but my boyfriend said that he made a living as a con man. Who's right? And don't make fun of us. We fight about everything.

Answer: Me, make fun of my loyal readers? Perish the thought, dear woman, for it is you whose page hits help generate my paycheck, thus keeping me fat and happy (but mostly fat).

The answer to your question is a little of both, but I must say the magician part is easier to prove due to Anderson's appearances on Saturday Night Live and Cheers, where he played a hustler named, appropriately enough, Harry. He's on record saying he used to run shell games in various cities before going straight, but Anderson was notorious for making up en read more