Anderson is perhaps most known for his role as a priest on the television series Nothing Sacred (1997), about a priest with self-doubts. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for this role.[citation needed]
One of his first major film roles was as the brother of Richard Gere's character in the 1988 film Miles from Home. He also starred in the 1991 film Sleeping with the Enemy with Julia Roberts.[4][5] He appeared in the 2006 version of Charlotte's Web as Mr. Arable. This was the second time he worked with Julia Roberts, who voiced the role of Charlotte.[6]
In 1993, Anderson created the role of Joe Gillis in the original London production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard opposite Patti LuPone who originated the role of Norma Desmond.[7] LuPone was not given the role in the musical in New York, and the situation became a "very nasty, public affair. 'I was caught in the middle of all that,' Anderson said. LuPone went public with her rage; her co-star quietly took himself out of the loop... 'I fired everybody and jumped on my motorcycle.' "[8]
He appeared on Broadway in the Manhattan Theatre Club production of Come Back, Little Sheba as Doc from January 24, 2008, to March 16, 2008.[9] Anderson starred as Andy Dufresne in the stage version of the film The Shawshank Redemption which premiered at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin in May 2009.[10] The play transferred to the West End at the Wyndham's Theatre in London, from September 4, 2009, to November 29, 2009.[11]
He appeared in A Guide for the Perplexed at the Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago in July–August 2010.[12]
Personal life
Anderson embarked on a cross-country motorcycle trip and was struck by a car in 1994[13] which put him out of work for a year.[3] In the accident he suffered a broken leg, a broken arm and other health complications (including an embolism).[13]
It took the actor several years to rehabilitate from the accident but he has described this period as one of the best times in his life because it forced him to reevaluate his motives and his life.[3]
