John Anderson

John Robert Anderson (October 20, 1922 – August 7, 1992) was an American character actor. He was best known for his more than 500 television roles.

Anderson was born in 1922 and raised in Clayton, Illinois. He studied theatre in Minnesota and Ohio and served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II before pursuing an acting career in New York City. He held a master's degree in drama from the University of Iowa. After relocating to Los Angeles, Anderson worked as a street mime, jester, and juggler.

Anderson appeared on Broadway, including the musical Paint Your Wagon in 1951. He was in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof from 1955 to 1956 at the Morosco Theatre. Standing 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm), Anderson bore a strong resemblance to Abraham Lincoln, whom he portrayed three times. He appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960) as used car salesman "California Charlie", who sells a car to Marion Crane (Janet Leigh).

Anderson was cast on The Rat Patrol four times (three times as the same character). In 1966, he guested in a rare two-part Gunsmoke episode and had a recurring role in MacGyver as Harry Jackson, MacGyver's grandfather. The 1993 soundtrack album Music from the Television Series Quantum Leap was dedicated to his memory. He appeared in one episode shortly before his death.

On June 8, 1946, Anderson married Patricia A. Cason in the rectory of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Quincy, Illinois, and the couple moved to Iowa City, where Anderson studied in the liberal arts college at the University of Iowa and earned his master's degree in drama. Anderson was married to Cason until her death on February 18, 1989. Three years later, Anderson suffered a fatal heart attack at his home in Sherman Oaks, California, at the age of 69.