Eric Anderson (born December 14, 1972) is an American actor. On Broadway, he has originated roles in Waitress, Kinky Boots, The Last Ship, Rocky, Soul Doctor, and The Great Gatsby and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. He portrayed Mr. O'Malley in The Greatest Showman (2017). In 2022, he took over the role of Harold Zidler in the jukebox musical Moulin Rouge! on Broadway.
Career in California
In 2006, Anderson won the inaugural Joel Hirschhorn award for outstanding achievement in musical theatre, awarded by the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle. He received two San Diego Critics Circle Craig Noel Awards and multiple Back Stage West Garland Awards as best actor in a musical.
His performances on the West Coast have included Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, Richard M. Nixon in Judy's Scary Little Christmas, and Burrs in both versions of The Wild Party. Anderson is a member of the Troubadour Theater Company.
He left California in 2007 to play Merlyn in a U.S. national tour of Camelot opposite Michael York, and moved to New York in 2008. In 2020, he returned to the West Coast to play Captain Hook in Fly at La Jolla Playhouse.
Broadway In 2009, Anderson made his Broadway debut as Stewpot in the Tony award-winning revival of South Pacific at Lincoln Center.Pacific News, New York Theater Guide, January 9, 2006 He was in the original Broadway casts of Kinky Boots, written by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper, Rocky the Musical, The Last Ship written by Sting, and Soul Doctor at the Circle in the Square Theatre,Hetrick, Adam. "Shlomo Carlebach Musical Soul Doctor Will Play Broadway's Circle in the Square This Summer; Eric Anderson Will Star" playbill.com, May 29, 2013 where he received critical acclaimHetrick, Adam. "The Verdict: Critics Review Shlomo Carlebach Musical 'Soul Doctor' On Broadway" playbill.com, August 16, 2013 for his starring role as Shlomo Carlebach. Anderson was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a MusicalClark, Jason. "Tom Hanks, Bette Midler and Steve Martin among 2013 Drama Desk Nominations" popwatch.ew.com, April 29, 2013 for his portrayal in the pre-Broadway production at New York Theatre Workshop. Anderson originated the role of Cal in the musical adaption of Waitress on Broadway, written by Sara Bareilles.Viagas, Robert. "Christopher Fitzgerald Joins Cast of Broadway Bound Waitress" playbill.com, November 4, 2015 Anderson also played the role of Barney Thompson in the musical adaptation of Pretty Woman. In 2022, he took over the role of Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge! at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre; after Danny Burstein's departure from the show. In 2024, he originated the role of Meyer Wolfsheim in the Broadway production of The Great Gatsby.
Film and television Anderson portrayed Mr. O'Malley in The Greatest Showman (2017), and has had guest roles on television, including Elementary, The Good Wife, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Alias. He reprised his role as Cal in Waitress: The Musical filmed on Broadway in 2021 and released in cinemas in 2023.
Personal life Anderson is married to actress Jessica Rush, and has a daughter, Elliot.
Theatre credits Year Title Role Theatre Director(s) 2007 Camelot Merlyn u/s King Arthuru/s King Pellinore National tour 2009 South Pacific Stewpot Lincoln Center Bartlett Sher 2013 Kinky Boots Ensemble Al Hirschfeld Theatre Soul Doctor Shlomo Carlebach Circle in the Square Theatre 2014 Rocky: The Musical Gazzo, Tommy Crosetti, Rocky's Cornerman Winter Garden Theatre Death Note: The Musical Ryuk English concept album and workshop 2014–2015 The Last Ship Freddy Newlands Neil Simon Theatre 2015ParadeDetective J.N. StarnesLincoln CenterWaitress CalAmerican Repertory Theater 2016–2017Brooks Atkinson Theatre2017Moulin Rouge! The MusicalHarold ZidlerUnknown, Workshop2018–2019 Pretty Woman: The Musical Happy Man / Barney Thompson Nederlander Theatre 2021WaitressCalEthel Barrymore Theatre2022–2024Moulin Rouge! The MusicalHarold ZidlerAl Hirschfeld Theatre2024–2025The Great GatsbyMeyer WolfshiemBroadway Theatre2025Three Summers of LincolnGeorge B. McClellanLa Jolla Playhouse2025–2026The Great GatsbyMeyer WolfshiemBroadway Theatre2026Moulin Rouge! The MusicalHarold ZidlerAl Hirschfeld Theatre
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated Work Result 2006 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award Joel Hirschhorn Award for outstanding achievement in musical theatre 2013 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Soul Doctor 2024 Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Featured Actor in a Musical The Great Gatsby
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