R.I.P. – Night Court Star Harry Anderson Has Died At 65!

It is with a heavy heart that I bring you yet another obituary for the second time in two nights. Harry Anderson, the sometimes magician, and actor known for his role of Judge Harry Stone on the 1984 sitcom Night Court has passed away at the all-too-young age of 65.

Anderson was found dead today at his home in Asheville, NC. No cause of death was reported.

Anderson appeared in three Season 1 episodes of NBC’s Cheers as a local flim-flam man/magician Harry “The Hat” Gitties, including a memorable sting episode in which he starred. That role — which he would reprise a few times later on the then-rising sitcom — led to his landing the lead in Night Court. The sitcom also starring John Larroquette, Markie Post and Richard Moll followed the wacky goings-on in a Manhattan night court and its staffers led by Stone, a boyish, grinning, jeans-and-sneakers jurist who was unconventional, to say the least.

He would go on to earn three consecutive Emmy-nominations for his role. Night Court would continue its run until 1993. Anderson then began a new series called Dave’s World for CBS.

Anderson made several memorable appearances as the host of Saturday Night Live in the early 80’s. He was also an accomplished magician who was always showing off his trade.

He had a few memorable genre outings including the role of Richie Tozier in the1990 IT mini-series. He also appeared in Tales from the Darkside (TV Series) (1985) and Tales from the Crypt (TV Series) (1990).

I always found Harry Anderson to be an extremely funny and down to earth actor. He brought joy and laughter into people’s lives and that is no small accomplishment.

All of us here at Horror Patch wish to send our regards and condolences to Harry Anderson’s family and friends at this difficult time. Here’s to Harry and we hope he’s performing magic in the great beyond. He will be missed and not forgotten.