Erich Anderson, 'Friday the 13th' and 'Felicity' actor, dies after cancer battle
Erich Anderson, an actor who starred in "Felicity," "Friday the 13th" and more, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 67.
His wife, actress Saxon Trainor, confirmed his death in an Instagram post over the weekend, sharing a statement from Anderson's brother-in-law Michael O'Malley because she was "too bereft now to write anything."
"My brother-in-law Erich Anderson passed this morning after a brutal struggle with cancer. He had a long successful career as an actor—he was on that old show 30 something; he was Felicity’s father on 'Felicity,' he was killed in a basement in a 'Friday the 13th' movie: he was on 'Star Trek' and dozens of other shows," the Instagram post read.
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Anderson, who played Rob Dier in the "Friday the 13th" franchise's fourth installment, starred in "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter" with Corey Feldman in 1984. He also wrote three books: "Hallowed Be Thy Name," "Thy Kingdom Come" and most recently "Rabbit: A Golf Fable." Anderson also portrayed Keri Russell's on-screen dad in the J.J. Abrams romantic drama series "Felicity," which followed the post-high school journey of its title character played by Russell.
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"He was a smart and funny guy, a fantastic cook; he wrote three great novels which you can find on Amazon. I'll miss him but his ordeal is over," O'Malley continued.
Last November, Trainor posted an Instagram photo on the pair's 20th wedding anniversary, writing "20 years and we are still laughing" with a photo from their wedding day.
In a statement to USA TODAY, Anderson's manager Chris Carbaugh shared O'Malley and Trainor's sentiments.
"He was always the smartest and funniest person in the room and had such a big heart. I want to send love and prayers to his wife Saxon and family. Erich will be missed dearly," Carbaugh said.
His "Felicity" co-star Eve Gordon penned an Instagram caption paying tribute to Anderson, who she called "a magnificent part of the world" adding that "there was no one like him."
"Look at this Erich, I'm using the past tense. My friend, I hope I see you again in dreams and other dimensions. Fly high my friend," Gordon wrote.