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Lew Anderson

Lew Anderson
Born Lewis Burr Anderson
(1922-05-07)May 7, 1922
Kirkman, Iowa, U.S.
Died May 14, 2006(2006-05-14) (aged 84)
Hawthorne, New York, U.S.
Occupation American actor and musician

Lewis Burr Anderson (May 7, 1922 in Kirkman, Iowa – May 14, 2006 in Westchester, New York) was an American actor and musician. He is widely known by TV fans as the third and final actor to portray Clarabell the Clown on Howdy Doody between 1954 and 1960. He famously spoke Clarabell's only line on the show's final episode in 1960, with a tear visible in his eye, "Goodbye, kids." Anderson is also widely known by jazz music fans as a prolific jazz arranger, big band leader, and alto saxophonist. Anderson also played the clarinet.

Growing up

Armed forces

Post World War II

Anderson also wrote many of the TV jingles for the 1950's and 1960's, including for Pepsi and Buick. Many of the jingles were performed by his group "The Honey Dreamers."

Red Blazer, Too

Birdland Jazz Club

Lew Anderson Big Band

Anderson died in Hawthorne, New York, from complications of prostate cancer.

On March 23, 2006, The Birdland Big Band — which at that time was composed entirely of his former band members (directed Tommy Igoe) — performed and recorded a tribute to his life.


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Wikipedia

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