Erich Anderson, the beloved character actor and horror fan favorite who made his film debut in Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, has passed.
Anderson died on Saturday following a “brutal struggle with cancer,” his wife of 21 years, actress Saxon Trainor, and her brother-in-law, Michael O’Malley, announced in an Instagram post.
In 1984’s Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, Anderson played Rob Dier. His character’s demeanor is a capable man on a mission to avenge his sister’s death at the hands of series villain, Jason Voorhees.
However, once he faces off against the behemoth machete-wielding killer, Rob finds himself helpless like any other victim. Rob’s ill-fated showdown with Jason is one of the most memorable moments in the decades-long franchise.
Erich Anderson Became a Prolific TV Actor
Eventually, Anderson became a prolific character actor for TV. In 1990-91, Anderson played Billy Sidel, a comic-book artist who falls in love with and marries Polly Draper’s character, Ellyn Warren, on ABC’s thirtysomething.
Erich Anderson also portrayed Dr. Edward Porter, the father of Felicity Porter, in the 1998 pilot of Felicity. He returned for eight additional episodes throughout the show’s four-season run on the WB network, concluding in 2002.
Anderson also endeared himself to TV powerhouse Steven Bochco, appearing in several of the writer and producer’s projects. Anderson portrayed pitcher Bobby Stang on NBC’s Bay City Blues during 1983-84 and later played drug dealer Don Kirkendall on ABC’s NYPD Blue in 2000. In addition, he guest-starred on ABC’s Civil Wars in 1993.
The capable character actor also became a familiar face to sci-fi lovers. He appeared in a later season episode of The X-Files, and made a villain turn in a classic episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Throughout the years, Anderson contributed to a variety of shows, including Murder, She Wrote, Dallas, Sisters, and 7th Heaven. His work extended to acclaimed series such as Chicago Hope, Boston Public, Boomtown, House, Monk, and Franklin & Bash.
His film résumé features roles in Patty Hearst (1988), *Bat21 (1988), The Glass Shield (1994), Nightwatch (1997), Beyond Suspicion (2000), Unfaithful (2002), and The Neighbor (2017). He also authored three novels: Hallowed Be Thy Name (2012), Thy Kingdom Come (2014), and Rabbit: A Golf Fable (2022).
Fans Pay Tribute to Erich Anderson
Due to his Friday the 13th role and multiple genre TV appearances, Anderson became a familiar face on the horror convention scene. After news of his passing spread, fans took to social media to share memories of meeting the friendly actor and to pay tribute to him.
“Rob will forever be ingrained in the Friday Legacy and remembered for decades to come,” one fan wrote on X.
“A lot of F13 fans have a fondness for this guy because the first time we watched [ Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter], he seemed so capable in terms of taking on Jason… until he wasn’t, of course. But he’s great in the film, very likable and memorable. RIP,” another fan added.
A third fan wrote, “he’s one of my faves from the friday the 13th franchise (part 4) playing a good guy, as well as one of the best star trek tng guest stars (playing a bad guy).”
“RIP to Erich Anderson. [I] met him several years ago at Horrorhound and he was so awesome to chat with and fan-friendly,” another fan added.