Erich Anderson, the actor known for Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, Felicity and Star Trek: The Next Generation, died at 67 on June 1, 2024, after cancer. The Los Angeles Times reported that his wife, actor Saxton Trainor, confirmed his death; the report did not identify a cancer type.
What Erich Anderson was known for
Anderson worked across film, television and theater. The Los Angeles Times described Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter as his breakout role. Later audiences also recognized him as Dr. Edward Porter, Felicity’s father, on Felicity, and as Commander Kieran MacDuff in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Conundrum.”
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Friday the 13th 8-Movie Collection - Limited Edition Steelbook (Blu-ray + Digital) | $36.78 | Buy on Amazon |
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Friday the 13th [Blu-ray] | $11.95 | Buy on Amazon |
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Friday the 13th / Nightmare on Elm St / Freddy Vs (Triple-Feature) | $11.39 | Buy on Amazon |
| Work | Anderson’s role | How the sources describe it |
|---|---|---|
| Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter | Role associated with his breakout | The Los Angeles Times calls it his breakout role. |
| Felicity | Dr. Edward Porter, Felicity’s father | TVLine reports he appeared in nine episodes. |
| Star Trek: The Next Generation | Commander Kieran MacDuff | TVLine identifies his guest appearance in “Conundrum.” |
A long career on screen and stage
The Los Angeles Times reported that Anderson’s official website credited him with more than 300 television episodes, 50 theater productions and 20 feature films. Those are totals published by his own site, not independently audited figures. The account reflects the breadth of his work as a veteran character actor whose roles reached across genres and formats.
Anderson also earned a B.A. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, according to his official website. In addition to acting, he wrote for episodic television.
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His official website lists three novels: Hallowed Be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom Come and Rabbit: A Golf Fable. His career therefore extended beyond acting into both television writing and fiction.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about his death
The Television Academy lists Anderson’s birthday as October 24, 1956, and his date of passing as June 1, 2024. The Los Angeles Times reported that he died at 67 after cancer. Its account quotes a statement describing a “brutal struggle with cancer,” but does not name a cancer subtype.
Quick Recap
Rank #2
- Shrinkwrapped
Sources
- Los Angeles Times — death, career and breakout role.
- Erich Anderson’s official website — biography, career totals and novels.
- Television Academy — biographical dates.
- TheWrap — a statement attributed to Anderson’s brother-in-law, Michael O’Malley.
- TVLine — roles in Felicity and Star Trek: The Next Generation.
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