"Brother-Man!" Carl Anderson Dead at 58

I just heard on the radio this morning that my old friend Carl Anderson, 'Judas' from Jesus Christ Superstar on Broadway and in the original film, has died at Cedar Sinai hospital. He was diagnosed with leukemia about seven months ago.

Carl starred in the record-setting 25th anniversary revival tour of Superstar along with original 'Jesus' Ted Neeley. I worked with Carl on that show from 1995 - 1997. Carl toured with the show only part time during that period. He would join us in the major markets when the show had a 'sit-down' for a week or so. After several years on the road he was tired of living on the buses, he said.

Carl got his start on TV in 1964 in the soap opera "Another World." He made various guest apperances in TV shows such as "Starsky and Hutch", "The Rockford Files", "Magnum P.I." and the film "The Color Purple." He was best known, however, for his soulful performance of Judas and he played the role on and off many times over the years.

Besides Superstar, Carl developed a successful recording and concert career. He toured the world and had a hit record with Gloria Loring, "Friends and Lovers", in the early 1980s. He last appeared on Broadway in 1997's "Play On!", a review of Duke Ellington songs.

The last time I saw Carl was about four years ago. He was performing in a small nightclub here in LA. It was a wonderful show and he sounded great. I sat right up front and he kept interacting with me during the stage banter and so forth. I remember when the music first started, Carl looked down at me, snapped his fingers to the beat, and said "Right there, Scott!", meaning his band had found their groove. It was a classic Carl moment.

Carl was a very warm-hearted and spiritual person. He had an amazing voice and he was a gifted musician. He also smoked the best pot of anyone I've ever known! :-) His wife was Veronica Porche Ali, the beautiful ex-wife of the boxer Muhammad Ali. This Friday, Feb 27th, would have been Carl Anderson's 59th birthday.

Playbill's obituary

Carl's official website