Angie Martinez IRL - Anthony Anderson: STOP Wanting — How You Actually Get What’s Meant For You

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Joe and Jada
Episode: Angie Martinez IRL – Anthony Anderson: STOP Wanting — How You Actually Get What’s Meant For You
Date: January 28, 2026
Host/Guest: Angie Martinez interviewing Anthony Anderson

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Episode Overview

This episode features Emmy-nominated actor and comedian Anthony Anderson in a deeply personal and insightful conversation. Far from just recounting his career highlights, Anderson delves into topics of purpose, family, handling responsibility, vulnerability, the art of manifestation, grief, and personal evolution. He shares how his approach to life and work has evolved, what it means to claim rather than want things, and how he’s found joy, peace, and love in this new chapter of his life.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Claiming vs. Wanting: The Power of Manifestation

• Main Theme: Instead of wanting things, Anderson practices claiming what’s destined for him. This philosophy shapes both his personal and professional life.
• Notable Story: Anderson recounts how specificity in his desires (“not just a movie overseas, but one requiring a passport”) led to him starring in “Kangaroo Jack” in Australia, manifesting details down to the Sydney Opera House outside his window.
• Quote:

  “I no longer want anything in life because all that ever did was create a want for it. I claim things as my own…”
  (Anthony Anderson, 29:41)

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2. Redefining Success and Handling Disappointment

• On Awards: Anderson is lauded for holding the record for most NAACP Image Awards, but also for being perpetually Emmy-nominated. He takes pride in the work, not the trophies.

• Quote:

  “We don’t do what we do for the trophies. They’re great to have…but that’s not why I do it.”
  (Anthony Anderson, 05:02)

• On Missing Out: He never resents others for landing roles he wanted; he believes, “It wasn’t meant for me.”

• Quote:

  “You can’t compare yourself to anyone else…that was destined for them.”
  (Anthony Anderson, 02:04; 39:51)

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3. Family, Responsibility, and the ‘First Generation Successful’ Burden

• Growing Up: Anderson reflects on being “first generation successful” and how that brings both privilege and weighty responsibility—particularly with the loss of his father and brother.
• Role Shift: With family tragedies, he became the patriarch, navigating “being my mother’s son, but also her protector.”
• Quote:

  “Sometimes I just want to go lay my head in my mother’s bosom and just be like, ‘Yo, the weight of the world is a lot right now…’”
  (Anthony Anderson, 12:15)

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4. Emotional Evolution and Vulnerability

• Therapy & Growth: Anderson discusses evolving past stoic masculinity into someone who seeks therapy, values vulnerability, and creates safe spaces for men to share feelings.
• Man Nights: He shares about gathering with other men to talk openly—and sometimes cry—about life’s challenges.
• Quote:

  “It took me 55 years to get here, but I’m here.”
  (Anthony Anderson, 15:35)

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5. The Making of Black-ish & Career Milestones

• Origin: Black-ish was conceived after a conversation with Kenya Barris about their shared experience as successful, first-generation Black families. Anderson emphasizes authenticity and social commentary as the show’s backbone.
• Quote:

  "We were both—and still are—Norman Lear fans...those were shows that had social commentary...leading actors that were unapologetic.”
  (Anthony Anderson, 05:41)

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6. On Fatherhood and Parenting Shifts

• New Perspective: He first thought being a good father meant simply providing, but now believes in also emotionally being there for his kids.
• Old School Roots: Reflects on his own father being “old school” and not understanding his artistic ambitions at first—but their relationship evolved.
• Quote:

  “My presence is needed in more than just me being there...to also let them know that they are being seen and heard.”
  (Anthony Anderson, 26:16)

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7. Grief, Pain, and Using Life in Art

• Losing Family: The loss of his brother and father profoundly shaped Anderson, both as a man and an artist. He shares how grief sometimes fuels performance but also why therapy is critical.
• Quote:

  “I felt my heart breaking. So anybody out there whose heart I’ve ever broken, I apologize…because I know how that feels.”
  (Anthony Anderson, 19:58)

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8. Love, Dating, and Evolving Relationships

• With Roxy: Anderson opens up about his new relationship with Roxy, a longtime friend. Timing, personal growth, and intention made this romance possible after years of friendship.
• Evolved Self: He credits doing inner work—which he believes attracted the healthy relationship he has now.
• Quote:

  “I get to get an evolved version of myself.”
  (Anthony Anderson, 50:18)

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9. Advice for Young Entertainers

• Take Initiative: When opportunities aren’t there, create your own. Stay authentic, have perspective, and challenge casting norms.
• Quote:

  “When I didn’t feel there were opportunities for me, I went out and created my own…”
  (Anthony Anderson, 57:43)

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10. Anthony Anderson’s Philosophy: Consistency, Honesty, and Self-Improvement

• On Relationships: The main qualities he values—honesty, consistency, patience, and understanding. He’s actively trying to embody these traits.
• Personal Growth: Acknowledges breaking old habits after decades in a relationship is tough, but crucial for evolution.
• Quote:

  “You have to be consistent in who you are…be the same person that person met and fell in love with.”
  (Anthony Anderson, 61:00)

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11. Looking Ahead: Five Years from Now

• Manifestation Continues: Anderson sees himself playing better golf, hosting “Star Search,” and launching another iconic television show.
• Quote:

  “I’m claiming it for us.”
  (Anthony Anderson, 65:09)

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Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Manifestation & Wanting:
  “All you do...is create a want for it. You never claimed it as your own.” (29:44–30:55)

• On Grace in Failure:
  “If it doesn’t happen, then it wasn’t meant for me.” (32:00)

• On Grief:
  “I know what it feels like to have a broken heart...and I apologize from the bottom of my heart because I know how that feels.” (19:58–20:47)

• On Evolving as a Man:
  “It took me 55 years to get here, but I’m here.” (15:35)

• On Authenticity in Entertainment:
  “Never be afraid to challenge things and to take on a challenge for yourself.” (57:43)

• On Personal Growth in Relationships:
  “I’m trying to become better at all of those things...I’m getting better at becoming those things.” (62:10–63:22)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Topic | Time | |---|---|---| | 02:04 | Manifestation, Career Philosophy | 02:04–02:44 | | 05:41 | Creating Black-ish, Importance of Representation | 05:41–07:37 | | 10:17 | Handling Family Responsibility & Grief | 10:17–12:31 | | 14:03 | Men’s Emotional Health & Vulnerability | 14:03–15:45 | | 18:33 | Childhood in Compton & Family Background | 18:33–19:54 | | 19:58 | Dealing with Grief, Broken Heart | 19:58–20:55 | | 26:16 | Fatherhood: Presence Versus Provision | 26:16–27:28 | | 29:38 | Manifestation: Parable of Gifts & Claiming | 29:38–32:14 | | 33:15 | ‘Kangaroo Jack’ Manifestation Story | 33:15–39:25 | | 50:18 | Evolved Relationships & Finding Love | 50:18–52:38 | | 57:43 | Advice for Young Comics & Actors | 57:43–59:57 | | 61:00 | Rule Book of the Heart: Honesty, Consistency | 61:00–63:22 | | 65:09 | Looking Ahead/Manifesting the Future | 65:09–65:11 |

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Notable, Memorable Moments

• Anderson realizing he’s “the Black Susan Lucci” for his Emmy run (03:48)
• Describing the epiphany of watching himself in ‘Life’ while living in Australia, exactly as he’d envisioned (37:17–39:25)
• The heartfelt apology to anyone he’s ever hurt after viscerally experiencing heartbreak (19:58–20:47)
• Sharing the tactical wisdom of being very specific with what you claim from the universe (33:15–39:25)
• The playful banter and mutual respect between Anthony and Angie, infusing warmth and candor into oft-heavy subjects (throughout)

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Tone & Language

Anderson is candid, humorous, self-aware, and profoundly reflective. His humility and warmth are palpable, even when discussing pain, mistakes, or family burdens. He sprinkles wisdom and lightly jokes throughout, grounding his impressive spiritual philosophy in lived experience and real talk.

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Summary Conclusion

This episode stands out as a masterclass in personal growth, gratitude, and authenticity. Anthony Anderson delivers wisdom for anyone seeking meaning, from aspiring entertainers to those grappling with life’s big transitions. His message is clear: Stop wanting, start claiming, trust what’s meant for you, and never stop becoming a better version of yourself.

Transcript

[Commercial Narrator]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human Think Verizon is expensive? Think again. Anyone can bring their AT&T or T mobile bill to a Verizon store today and we'll give you a better deal. So bring us your bill. Walk in, run in pogo stickin' teleport if you can ride on the back of a rollerblading yak or flying on the wings of a majestic falcon. Any way you can bring your AT&T or T mobile bill to a Verizon store today and we'll give you a better deal on the best network based on RouteMetric's best overall mobile network performance. US second half 2025. All rights reserved. Must provide very recent postpaid consumer mob in the name of the person redeeming the deal. Additional terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Picture this me, Reese Witherspoon in London, ordering fish and chips so often they might start wrapping me in paper. I'm traveling with my Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card, so I earn rewards wherever I book. Travel five times points with hotels, four times with airlines, three times on restaurants and other travel, and one point on other purchases. Imagine getting rewarded for eating a toad in the hole. Wait, what is a toad in a hole?

[Anthony Anderson]

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[Anthony Anderson]

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[Anthony Anderson]

I've never been upset at another actor or another person getting the gig that I was up for because it wasn't mine. And I always tell people I was like, you can't. You. You can't compare yourself to anyone else and you can't judge them or judge yourself. I was like, that's their jo. That's their path. And I was like, that was destined for them. That was predetermined for them. And you can't worry about that. No matter how you feel it was going to change your life. No matter how big it may have ended up for them, it may not have been that way for you.

[Podcast Host]

Thanks for watching, guys. Today's episode is brought to you by Boost Mobile. Today's guest has been keeping us laughing.

[Interviewer]

For over three decades. As an actor, his work has become part of how we experience film and television. And through shows like Blackish, he's helped redefine how we see the black family on screen. He is currently holding the record for the most NAACP Image awards for outstanding actor.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yes.

[Interviewer]

He's also a pretty great golfer, depending on the day, you know. No, but he's. He's been a familiar and trusted presence, and he is now stepping into a new chapter as the host of Netflix's revival of Star Search. Please welcome Anthony Anderson to IRL podcast.

[Anthony Anderson]

All right, first off, I didn't know I held the record for most NAACP.

[Interviewer]

You did not know that?

[Anthony Anderson]

No.

[Interviewer]

I'm here to tell you, according to my research.

[Anthony Anderson]

No, your research is pretty spot on. I got a gang of them. I got a gang of them. I didn't know I had the record.

[Interviewer]

There are a lot of other accolades, too, but we would be here for so long.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah, we would be.

[Interviewer]

And I want to get all in your life.

[Anthony Anderson]

We can talk about the 13 Emmys that I'm of. 13. I'm the black Susan Lucci. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

You make jokes, but does that suck?

[Anthony Anderson]

Oh, no, it doesn't.

[Interviewer]

It doesn't suck. You're okay with the nomination?

[Anthony Anderson]

I'm okay.

[Interviewer]

Do they even give you a plaque? Is there at least something to.

[Anthony Anderson]

You get a certificate that acknowledges that you have been selected to be nominated. And people. People are like, you should keep that certificate. I was like, for.

[Interviewer]

Why does it hit the same on the shelf?

[Anthony Anderson]

That's like a participation trophy. I'm like, for. Why?

[Interviewer]

No, well, yeah, I have a. In 97. What year was that? Ladies night. We got a Grammy nomination.

[Anthony Anderson]

Okay. Yes.

[Interviewer]

So I have. Back then, Grammys, they give you at least a medallion.

[Anthony Anderson]

Okay. Okay.

[Interviewer]

It looks like you ran a race.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay.

[Interviewer]

So I don't have a Grammy.

[Anthony Anderson]

No, but you got a Grammy medallion.

[Interviewer]

But I have a medallion and I put it in a little case and it looks like something.

[Anthony Anderson]

Oh, there you go. There you go.

[Interviewer]

So maybe it's all in the Framing of the case of the. No, you deserve at least. At least five of those Emmys.

[Anthony Anderson]

Thank you.

[Interviewer]

You know what I'm saying? Do you feel like that?

[Anthony Anderson]

We all feel like that. We all feel like we. Look, first off, we don't do what we do for the trophies. Yeah, you know, they're. They're. They're great to have on a mantle. And you can brag about them, show them, but once you get them, they just sit there. Yeah, but no, that's not why I do it.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

I just like talking about it, though.

[Interviewer]

It does it humble does. It humble you?

[Anthony Anderson]

It does.

[Interviewer]

It does. You ain't all that. You ain't even with one of them.

[Anthony Anderson]

You ain't got one.

[Interviewer]

You don't even have Abby. All that great television you did.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah, yeah, all that. But it's good. But it's good.

[Interviewer]

Not everybody realizes how much that really was your show. I mean, we know it was your show as the start. One of the stars and actor of the show, but you really, at the inception of the show.

[Anthony Anderson]

Well, Kenya Barris and I, yeah, we did. You know, we sat down at a. At a table at this little restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood called Laurel Hardware. And we sat there and we talked about the landscape of television and what was missing from that landscape for us, he and I, what we like to see and what we missed from television. We were both and still are Norman Lear fans. So we talked about those shows. We grew up watching Good Times, all in the Family, the Jeffersons, and then fast forward to Cosby, A Different World and things like that. And we were like, those are the shows that we liked and we grew up on. And those are shows that had social commentary. Those were shows that had leading actors that were unapologetic in who they were and had something to say. And we sat there and we just talked about our families. And we had a lot in common. Kenya's from Inglewood, I'm from Compton. Both of us are first generation successful. Both of our families were living a privileged life. Both of us were the only African American families in our neighborhoods. Our kids were in private school. We were the one of few black families in the private schools that we went to. So we were sharing these stories. Independent, living independently of one another, but down walking the same path. And we just talked about that. Yeah. And he was like, you know what, man? You know, he's like. And he made the comment. He said, you know, I feel like I went from raising a black family to a blackish family. And we started laughing and at the end of our meeting, he called me a couple of weeks later, and he's like, you know what, Ant? I thought about what we talked about, and I think I have a show for us, and we should call it Blackish. And I was like, let's do it. And eight years later, 173 episodes, two spin offs. Yeah, Here we are.

[Interviewer]

Wow. When you say the. What was the term you just said? First generation successful. What is that like?

[Anthony Anderson]

Interesting. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Cause a lot comes with that.

[Anthony Anderson]

A lot comes with that. A lot of responsibility, sometimes a lot of unwanted responsibility. And just being in a position that other people take for granted. Family and friends. Well, you got it. So I got it. And it was like, yeah, yeah, yeah. For the most part, I have it. So we do have it. But I also worked for it, you know, and it's not about me having it and being in the position to just give it away because. Or give it to you or hand it over, because eventually, if I continue to do that, I won't have anything you won't have.

[Interviewer]

Right.

[Anthony Anderson]

You know, and then we will all be back at ground zero again. So it's a lot of adjusting.

[Interviewer]

Do you have a big family?

[Anthony Anderson]

I have a big enough family. You know, I have two brothers and sister, my mom. But then, you know, at the time, a wife, two children of my own, aunties, uncles, and so, you know. And you feel a responsibility.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

You know, it was like, yo, this is my family. This is where I come from. So, you know, it's somewhat of my responsibility to make sure that they are okay. Yeah. But then you have to learn how to say no.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

You know, after a while, you know, and we all go through that with our success and. And then, you know, it's an adjustment period on both sides.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

Of the family.

[Interviewer]

Right. Because they got to get to know who this version of you.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Because you have to shift a little bit.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

That's like leader position, right.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

It's interesting because when you think about. Because you've been acting since childhood, you think about child actors trying to find who they are in the world. Sometimes that gets complicated. We hear plenty of stories about child actors who get lost because they never really grew properly out.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

But you were a child actor and first generation successful. There's a lot to kind of sort through to get to who you are and what makes you.

[Anthony Anderson]

You know, I wasn't really a child actor. This was a dream that I had as a child and, you know, was pursuing it since then.

[Interviewer]

But did you do A commercial at like, 5.

[Anthony Anderson]

It was. It was. It was. It was later than that. But, yeah, my mother had me on stage as. As a baby, so it actually was in my blood. It started young, so, yeah, I was a child actor. Yeah, I'll take that back. I was.

[Interviewer]

You just weren't a successful.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah, I just wasn't.

[Interviewer]

You weren't making any money.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. You know, and something I want to add to that, you know, about responsibility. You know, I. I lost my dad, or we. We lost our dad. So, you know, I became the head of the household, you know what I'm saying? So I lost my pay. How old am I now?

[Interviewer]

How old were you then?

[Anthony Anderson]

Oh, I lost my dad. I. I was an adult. But it's been. It's been 30 years. 20, 25 years now. But just losing the patriarch of the family, you know, and then me being in the position that I am, I, you know, then I just like, okay, I got this. I got. I got to step in. You know, I have to step in. So it's that adjustment as well. You know, I am my mother's son, but in a weird way, became my mother's partner and mate in a way, you know, and just navigating those. That terrain and all that. So just. Just. I just want to add that in and what we.

[Interviewer]

Interesting turn in life. Yes to funny, because we talk about on this show a lot of, like, the roles of women and family and stuff like that, but that. That role that you just described can be, I'm sure, heavy. Like, there's a lot of responsibility in that.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah, it is. It is heavy as they had the crown, heavy as the head that wears the crown. And, you know, I welcomed it, you know, but it's a lot that. That. That comes along with that, you know, being the oldest child, you know, being, you know, my mama's baby, you know, but also being her protector, you know what I'm saying? But also her son. And, you know, sometimes the roles shifted and, you know, I felt. And sometimes to this day feel that I can't come to my mother as a son.

[Interviewer]

Oh.

[Anthony Anderson]

You know what I'm saying? Sometimes I just want to go lay my head in my mother's bosom and just be like, yo, you know, the weight of the world is a lot right now, and I just want to come, you know, be a child again and just, you know, it's. It's that. It's that.

[Podcast Host]

You ever notice how everything keeps going up? I mean, rent is going up, streaming services are going up, even, like, Your favorite burrito place all of a sudden wants to charge you for salsa.

[Interviewer]

You go to the supermarket, they want.

[Podcast Host]

To charge you extra for the bag. Like, it's kind of crazy out here. The good thing is with Boost Mobile, you and your phone bill do not have to play that game. You don't have to play the will this go up soon?

[Interviewer]

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[Podcast Host]

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[Interviewer]

I love how self aware you are, Anthony.

[Anthony Anderson]

And like, I've evolved into this. I haven't always been this way.

[Interviewer]

I know. How, how did this be?

[Anthony Anderson]

How did this become life? Wisdom, divorce therapy, therapy, all of that stuff. And, you know, having conversations with, you know, friends like you and, and other men, you know. You know, before we started this, you know, you and I just, we had a brief conversation about how men don't share and don't talk amongst one another. I was like, well, you know, I'm one of them, so I'm gonna, I'm gonna make that call. So, you know, it's. It's that, you know, having a great support group and friends and my. In my brothers and that I know that I can go to and not be judged and, you know, we can actually just share and sit and talk and sometimes cry and I love it.

[Interviewer]

You do? I love it.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

How does that work? Just give me a. How does that work?

[Anthony Anderson]

It just works. You know, sometimes we just meet, you know, just like, man night.

[Interviewer]

You have like, guy nights?

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

What is. What happens on guys night? Guys night out?

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

What happens? What do you guys talk about? You talk about women?

[Anthony Anderson]

We talk about everything. You talk about emotions, all of that stuff, really. We talk about life. We talk about death. We, we. We talk about, you know, all, all of the stuff that, that, you know, that's going on in our lives. And that thing, I believe that's what keeps our sanity. That's what keeps us sane. And, and we understand that, you know, this. Sometimes you're sitting in a group and it's like, this is a rare thing for, you know, men to get together.

[Interviewer]

I was gonna say that. Why do you think most men don't do that? What do you. What is that about?

[Anthony Anderson]

I don't know, maybe because we don't talk about those things, so we don't know that we can talk about those things with people. And then you have a conversation, it's like, oh, wait a minute. This. I can, you know, share this without being judged and without feeling less of a warrior, less of a man. It's okay to be vulnerable, you know, I don't have to walk around with this shield up, you know?

[Interviewer]

That's pretty impressive, Anthony.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Look at you being all emotionally evolved. And.

[Anthony Anderson]

It took me 55 years to get here, but I'm here.

[Interviewer]

It took me 55.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

What was it? What did it take? Like, I'm sure there had to be shifts in your life. I'm sure you weren't always like that. What we.

[Podcast Host]

How.

[Interviewer]

How young were you? How old were you when you get married?

[Anthony Anderson]

I was 20. Baby, hold on. I was. I was in my 20s. My son is 26. So I was.

[Interviewer]

That's young.

[Anthony Anderson]

I was. I was 20. I was 29 when I got married.

[Interviewer]

I'm sure there's been a lot of evolution of you as a man, so.

[Anthony Anderson]

Whole life.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Because 20s is even late 20s.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. And we met when we were 18 and 19 years old, so. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

What did you learn from your. About yourself, from that experience? Because I find that that changes people dramatically.

[Anthony Anderson]

You know, it's crazy, Angie. I. You know, most people. I'm not gonna say I didn't want a family. Right. That was something that I never dreamed of growing up in Compton. Right. I had this dream of being a successful actor. That was my passion since I was 9 years old. This is all I ever wanted to do. This is what I believe. My energy was created and put on this earth to do, to entertain. And I realized that at a very young age. And that is what, at that time, my purpose in life was. Wanted a family and all of this. Let me just say that. But what my driving force was this right here. And I. I picked up and collected a family along the way.

[Interviewer]

It wasn't intention. It wasn't. You weren't intentionally setting these goals.

[Anthony Anderson]

No, not. Not at that time. Yeah. Yeah. You know, but a family is something that I wanted. I wanted to be a father, I wanted to be a husband and all of that stuff, but my focus was on this, this was that. And so I collected a family along the way. And, you know, we make mistakes and we learn.

[Interviewer]

It's hard to have that figured out. Time you're 20, whatever.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

There's no way.

[Anthony Anderson]

And. And. And, you know, I met and got involved with. With. With. With my ex wife at 19 and 18. I didn't even know who I was, you know. And you just figured those things out along the way.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. What was your. What was the childhood like? What was early Compton like for you?

[Anthony Anderson]

I never, I never felt like I didn't have or I wanted anything. I mean, you know, you want that, you want the fly clothes, you want the Jordans, you, you. You want all of that, you know, but who doesn't want that as a kid? But as a kid, you know, the lights were always on, the house was always warm, you know, and we always had a meal. So, you know, things. Yeah, we. When everybody around you, I'm not going to say it was in poverty, but everybody around you is doing the same thing and living the same way. It's just like, oh, we good. You know, everything is good. Then you get older and it's like, oh, we weren't, we weren't that good, you know. Right.

[Interviewer]

You're not good like you now.

[Anthony Anderson]

Like now we weren't that good. But, you know, but. But we made it. And you know, my father was a hard worker. My mother was a hard worker. They instilled all of that in us. And, you know, it was a loving household. You know, I lost a brother, so it was three. It was, it was four of us. It was three boys and a girl. My sister was the youngest, I'm the oldest, so it was six of us in our household. That must have been tough living our life.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, yeah. But you lose a brother at what age?

[Anthony Anderson]

I was in my 30s.

[Interviewer]

Oh, you were older.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah, I was older. You know, tragic car accident while he was away at college and. Yeah, yeah. And then. And then a year later, lost. Lost our father, lost my dad. So, you know, it was back to back, heartbreaks.

[Interviewer]

Oh, my gosh.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

That changes. Talk about life shifting moments.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. And then me being in the position that I am, you know, taking care of my dad, who, you know, we. We lost him to type 2 to complications from type 2 diabetes and, you know, so being in the position to, you know, taking over the family as a patriarch, you know, before we lost my dad and so making sure he was good and then losing my. Losing my brother and then my dad after that.

[Interviewer]

So.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. Really puts life into perspective.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

All at one time. That's a. That was a str. That was probably had to be a tough stretch.

[Anthony Anderson]

It was. And I remember driving home from my father's wake and I remember I had to pull the car over to the side of the road and just call home and have somebody come pick me up. Because I've never felt emotion like that before. And I felt my heart breaking. And so I know what it feels like to have a broken heart. So anybody out there whose heart I've ever broken, I apologize and I'm sorry. And I never meant to put you through that. And I apologize from the bottom of my heart because I know how that feels.

[Interviewer]

Did you not know before that moment?

[Anthony Anderson]

I did not know before that moment.

[Interviewer]

Really? Because you had already been through divorce and right at that time. Oh, that was after.

[Anthony Anderson]

That was after. That was after. But I had no. I had, you know, I had no idea what that felt like. And I remember having to pull my car over to the side of the road not knowing where I was. And I've driven these streets my entire life. I had to pull up and said, name, like where my ex wife at the time, like, where are you? I said, I have no idea. I have no idea. And I just looked around and I couldn't see through the emotion and through the tears and I finally told them where I was and. And my best friend came and picked me up. But yeah, I felt my heart breaking. Yeah. And. Yeah, so it was. Yeah, it was.

[Interviewer]

It's. It's interesting because when I think about actors and what you guys do for a living, like, you have to pull on these real life experiences. I wonder if that moment you've had to pull that.

[Anthony Anderson]

I can't think if I've had to pull that emotion out. I've touched upon it. You know, it's interesting in the world in which I live as an actor, it's crazy for what we do because we have to call upon emotions and everything that the average person wants to forget and keep hidden and never want to relive. But we have to do this on a constant basis. And, you know, that's why therapy is good.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, you know, get in there.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah, he's got to get in there.

[Interviewer]

Get to it. Yeah, it really is freeing, guys. I'm just putting it out.

[Anthony Anderson]

There it is. And that's. And that's another thing that, you know, me and my boys, we talk about, you know, especially coming from the communities that some of us come from, you know, therapy wasn't something that, you know, we thought was for us. And, you know, mental health, you know, I'm a proponent for that. You know, that's why I'm out in the community talking about those things. And, you know, I just want everybody out there to Know that it's okay to not be okay. You know?

[Interviewer]

And it's okay to pull over on the side of the road.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. It's okay to pull over on the side of the road. It's okay to make a phone call. It's okay to talk to your friends.

[Interviewer]

Say, I'm not good.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. We. We need to know that.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. It feels so much better to say it out loud than to walk around holding that inside.

[Anthony Anderson]

It does.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. For sure. What is that? What do you think as you talk about your father so lovingly, what do you think makes a good. And you're a father yourself, what do you think makes a good father? What has been your experience?

[Anthony Anderson]

Wow. You know what? Okay. I'm gonna start out with me as a father.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

Thinking that I needed to provide and give my children everything that I didn't have.

[Interviewer]

Right? That's what you thought.

[Anthony Anderson]

That was part of it, yeah. And it's a lot more than that. It's a lot more than the tangible things. And I'm having conversations with my children. My son in particular, you know.

[Commercial Voice]

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[Commercial Narrator]

You've never been one to settle. Stand down or stand still. You're a lifelong learner, energized by excellence. There's a fire inside you you can't ignore. You've got competition to outrun, momentum to build on, and your own high standards to meet. Stop now. Not a chance. At Capella University, we help you catch what you're chasing because you've always had the drive. Now go earn the degree. Capella University. What can't you do? Visit Capella. Edu to learn More coming off a GLP1 and looking for a weight loss solution that actually lasts this new year. Research shows up to 40% of weight lost on GLP1s comes from lean muscle, slowing metabolism and making weight regain almost inevitable. Prolon's five day fasting mimicking diet offers a drug free way to get and keep results. It activates fasting pathways to trigger fat focused weight loss, protect muscle and rejuvenate cells. No injections, no guesswork, just real results. Get 15% off when you [e-mail] iheart that's prolonlife.com iheart when you travel, there.

[Commercial Voice]

Are a lot of things to remember.

[Interviewer]

To pack, like noise canceling headphones, a phone charger, your favorite snacks.

[Commercial Voice]

But the most important thing to bring.

[Interviewer]

An acceptable id, like a real ID or a passport. You'll need one of these every time you fly domestically. And unfortunately a driver's license that's not real ID compliant isn't gonna fly. Find out if you're Travel [e-mail] RealID and visit your local DMV to get your Real ID today.

[Anthony Anderson]

Having conversations and understanding that my presence is needed in more than just me being there, but to also let them know that they are being seen and heard, which is something that I didn't always do.

[Interviewer]

So you didn't always do it?

[Anthony Anderson]

I didn't always do that.

[Interviewer]

Did you receive that as a. From your father?

[Anthony Anderson]

No.

[Interviewer]

No.

[Anthony Anderson]

So you know, those are things that.

[Interviewer]

Is he like an old school man?

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah, old school man.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

You know, didn't understand my dreams and aspirations of becoming an actor because my father worked with his hands.

[Interviewer]

Must have been so proud of you though.

[Anthony Anderson]

He was, yeah, he was. But didn't understand earlier on. Didn't understand my dreams to become an actor, you know what I'm saying? That ain't, that ain't real. That's not a job, you know, didn't understand that. But later on in life he got it. He saw the passion that I had, you know, he saw, he saw this from the age of nine. He saw what I was doing this on my own. It's not like, you know, my mother and my dad took me someplace, you know, I found acting schools on my own and conservatories and all kinds of. So, you know, early on, this is, this is this. I was like, nah, this is what I'm going to do with my life.

[Interviewer]

You were a little kid on a mission.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. This is the only thing that I prepared myself to do in life, you know. Call it naivete, call it foolishness or whatever.

[Interviewer]

It's one thing to be a kid with a dream to be an actor. It's another thing to actually create that dream to come true, but also then to have the actual talent and the gift. Like, yes. Like, do you believe what you have as a gift?

[Anthony Anderson]

I do. I don't call it a talent. You know, it's. It's a gift that I have, and. And it's a gift that I'm supposed to share with the world. You know, that's my responsibility. And then someone told me about. And I was telling him about that, and I'm like, oh, so you must know about the parables of gifts from the Bible. And I was like, no, I don't. And so they explained to me, you know, three men were blessed with gifts. This is the basics of it. One guy buried his gift in the ground and kept it to himself. The other guy multiplied it by 5, and the other guy multiplied it by 10. So when the wise man came back, he said, what did you do with your gifts? And he said, I did this, and I shared it, and I multiplied it by 10. And he blessed him. And he went on, he said, what did you do with your gifts? He said, I did this, and I multiplied it by five. And he blessed him. He moved on. He said, what did you do do with your gifts? He said, I hid it in the ground and I kept it to myself. He said, you are to be banished in the corner, to grind your teeth for eternity, because these gifts that I gave you weren't supposed to be kept for you. They were supposed to be shared. Had no idea about the parable of gifts this was. But this was something that I believed since I was a child. And so that's. And I understood the connection that I had to God, to a higher power, to whatever it is that you may subscribe to. But I realized that I have a connection. And I understood that connection at a very early age. And it was scary at times to understand, to feel that and to understand and to experience that connection that I have. I no longer want anything in life because all that ever did was create a want for it. I claim things as my own, and I. That's how I live.

[Interviewer]

No, no, I have to understand that. What do you mean you don't.

[Anthony Anderson]

Have you ever wanted something? Wanted to go someplace, wanted something?

[Interviewer]

Yeah, I want a ton of things.

[Anthony Anderson]

And never got it right. And you want to know why you want those things you never had? Because in wanting for those things, all you do. Or all you did was create a want for it. You never claimed it as your own. You never said, I will have this, I will have that bag, I will have that guy, I will have that girl, I will take this trip. You never, you never claimed it. You never saw yourself happ having it. You just said, I want this. So you're just creating a perpetual want for whatever that thing is as opposed to claiming it for yourself. A little thing that I tell myself before every audition or whatnot or meeting or whatever it is they may have, I claim it as my own. If it's meant for me to have, that's all I can do. If it's mine, it's mine and I'm going to get it. Trust and believe. Everything in this room is mine except for this microphone. I'm going to come in here and I'm going to take everything out of here except this microphone because it's mine. It's not greed, it's not anything. No, I've claimed it and I've been told that it's mine, but you can't, can't touch this. Cool. I'm going to leave that. And that's what it is.

[Interviewer]

You've been told by who?

[Anthony Anderson]

I've been told by the higher power, by whomever. I've claimed it.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

You know, I can claim a lot of things and I cannot. I'm claiming that bottle, the glass of water right there, it's like, ah, it ain't yours. Yeah, but I've claimed it. I was like, yeah, but I understand it's not mine. You know what, you know what's for you, right? You know, if that makes sense, right? Am I making sense to you?

[Interviewer]

You know, if you're claiming something that's not. If it's like a false claim. Is that what you mean? Is that what you mean? Or you just believe?

[Anthony Anderson]

But sometimes I just put it out in the universe, you know what I'm saying? And I claim it, okay? And if, and if it's truly mine, it will come to me.

[Interviewer]

I'm trying to think about what I. What is mine that I haven't claimed yet. See how I just fixed. See how I just self corrected. I was about to say I'm trying to think about what I want. No.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. And I try to change the way that I speak and stop telling myself I want that because I understand that all by saying that I want this, all I'm doing is creating a want for it. I'll never get it. So I'm going to clean this glass of water as mine.

[Interviewer]

As your own?

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. You know, just.

[Podcast Host]

And if it doesn't happen.

[Anthony Anderson]

And if it doesn't happen, then it wasn't meant for me.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

And that's how. Excuse me. And that's how I've been able to get through auditions and everything and all of that. Because it wasn't mine. It's meant for you. It's meant for that person right there.

[Interviewer]

What was the last big thing you claimed that actually Star Circle came you up. Really?

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. Even though it was offered to me, doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be mine, you know. Hey, Anthony, are you interested in auditioning or not auditioning? Are you interested in hosting Star Search? Yeah. Why would you say that? Well, they just got a call and said, you know, you're interested. I said, yeah, I'm down. So I go through my thing, you know, I claim this as mine if it's meant for me to have. And at one point it wasn't mine. Then I was like, okay, well, it wasn't mine. Then all of a sudden it came back and I didn't trip off of it.

[Interviewer]

I'm like, ah, okay, it wasn't yours at that time. Yeah, yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

So, you know, I'll tell you. I'll tell. I'll tell the story. It's a long story and I've told this before, but I like telling the story. At one point, I was making. I was making. I've made 53 movies in a short period of time in my career.

[Podcast Host]

Woo.

[Interviewer]

That shit.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. Which is phenomenal. And I was always making these movies and I was going up to Canada making these movies, and I would always say, I want to leave the country and make a movie. And I would always end up in Canada. And one day it dawned on me, this is a lesson in specificity and being specific in what we ask for. It dawned on me that I was doing exactly what I said. I said I wanted to make a movie in another country. I went up to Canada and made another movie, but that's not where I wanted to be. You know, I was like, oh, Canada, Canada. All you needed to enter Canada was a birth certificate. It was like, okay, all right, you know what? I'm not asking. I'm not claiming specific things for what it is that I see myself doing. I asked for this and it came to me in the most general form, which can still be of no use to me because it didn't come to me the way that I wanted it, the way that I needed it to. So at that moment, I said, the next movie I make will be shot overseas, and I will need a passport to enter the country. Three days later, I got a call. Hey, Anthony, Jerry Bruckheimer wants to meet with you. You're on a very short list for a movie that he's making that's going to shoot in Australia for six months. Wow. Okay. What's the name of the movie movie is called? At that time, it was called down, down and Under. The movie eventually became Kangaroo Jack. So before my meeting with Jerry Bruckheimer, I said, I claim this as my own. If it's meant for me to have.

[Interviewer]

Is this in prayer or this is just in your thoughts?

[Anthony Anderson]

It's in prayer, my thoughts. And I put it out loud. It's across the board for me. I go to have my. I go and have my audition, one of the best auditions that I've ever had in my life. I walk out of the audition was about 45 minutes. I went in with Jerry O', Connell, who was my co star, who was already cast as the lead. And I walked out of the audition drenched in sweat, like I dove into a swimming pool. I don't know what was going on with us in this audition, but that is what happened. I came out drenched in sweat. A week later, I get a call. Jerry Bruckheimer loved you. Your cast in Down Under, Kangaroo Jack. I was like, okay, cool. I know I'm going to be in Australia for six months. This is how I want to live. In Australia. I saw myself living a certain way. And I said, when I wake up every morning and when I go to sleep every night, the Sydney Opera House has to be outside my window. I get to Australia with the family, we're in a hotel. I open up the window. What's outside the window?

[Interviewer]

Oh, my God.

[Anthony Anderson]

The Sydney Opera House.

[Interviewer]

Come on, Master Manifestor.

[Anthony Anderson]

I don't wanna. Yeah, there you go. I don't wanna sit. I don't want to live in a hotel for six months. I want the comforts of home. So I saw my. How I wanted to live while I was in Australia. I never told this to the realtor, but I called the realtor up and she took me to some places. The very first place she took me to was how I saw myself living. Took me to a bunch of places, and I said, I want the first place. We get it. It's in a place called Potts Point, right in the center on a hill. It's on the 12th floor. It's a corner unit. The apartment is about 3,000 square feet, panoramic views, ceiling to floor windows. And outside my window was the downtown Sydney skyline, the Sydney Opera House, North Sydney Harbor Bridge, North Sydney island and Double Bay, water all around it.

[Interviewer]

Wow.

[Anthony Anderson]

And so I'm sitting there one day, it's about 3 o' clock in the morning, and I was like, wow, this is pretty dope. I'm looking around, it's pitch black outside except for the. Everything that's lit up life comes on. I'm flicking through the television now. Life is my very first movie. I'm looking through the television and life comes on. I was like, oh, shit. Smoking a joint. I'm a little high. And I said, oh my God, I haven't even come on the screen yet from my first appearance in this movie. And I was like, here I come. And I'm sitting there and that's when it hit me. I had an epiphany. And I look at how I'm living, and I look at what I've manifested, and I looked at what I've asked for, and I looked at what I've claimed. And I'm sitting here looking at my life while I'm watching the movie Life, which was my very first movie, which was, in my opinion, my birth into the movie industry. And because of what I did in that movie and the success of my movie got me my next opportunities, and those opportunities got me Kangaroo Jack. And this is the life that I'm living now. And I look around and I see it, how I'm living in life. And I'm watching life, the birth into this industry. And that's when it hit me. I was like, okay, this is powerful. And I understand my connection. I understand how I manifest things into my life and how I understand how I ask for things and I claim things as my own. So when I talk to young actors and when I talk to people, I tell them about that. I tell them about claiming everything that they see for themselves as their own. And it will happen. Stop wanting for things and claim those things. And you will have them. That's what I do. And I can sit here as a living testament to that, I believe.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, I'm going to restructure some. Some ways. I'm thinking about a few things right after this interview. Yeah, that's so good, Anthony.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

So has that ever failed you? Has there ever been a moment you claim something or really, I know the word want, but like really wanted something and it.

[Anthony Anderson]

And I, I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't see it as failure because it wasn't meant for me.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, Got it.

[Anthony Anderson]

It wasn't meant for me.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

You know, it wasn't going to open up the next opportunity or wasn't going to give me the experience that I needed in my life that I didn't. Probably didn't even know that I needed, you know, And I. I've never been upset at another actor or another person getting the gig that I was up for because it. It wasn't mine. And I. And. And I always tell people, I was like, you can't. You. You can't compare yourself to anyone else, and you can't judge them or judge yourself. I was like, that's their journey. That's their path. And I was like, that was destined for them. That was predetermined for them. And you can't worry about that. No matter how you feel, it was going to change your life. No matter how big it may have ended up for them. It may not have been that way for you. It may not have. But my reality is I didn't get it because it wasn't mine.

[Interviewer]

It wasn't for you. Yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

And I know as long as I prepare myself the way that I'm supposed to prepare myself before I enter any audition, any meeting or whatever, because I am the only constant in the equation, every equation in life that I'm a part of, the only constant is me. Everything else around me is going to change, but I'm the only constant. So when I go to work or when I go to prepare myself for work, I prepare to the best of my ability, and I go in there, and as long as I give it my all and I know I did what I was supposed to do, I can't.

[Interviewer]

Hands up. Yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

I can't do anything else about it.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

I can't do anything else.

[Interviewer]

It's an easier way to live, too.

[Anthony Anderson]

Like, it is.

[Interviewer]

It really is.

[Anthony Anderson]

That's how I sleep at night.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

I can't be like, oh, why the didn't. No, I'm gonna do this. I got it. Boom, I'm here. All right. I gave it. Left an audition. Like, I. Sweaty. Like, I. I got out of a pool. I was like, I left it all. I left it all on the floor in there.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Now it's in God's hands. Now it's what's for me.

[Anthony Anderson]

And it's all subjective anyway. To whoever is there, I can just be the best that I can be.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, for sure.

[Anthony Anderson]

That's it.

[Interviewer]

What is it that in your life right now in this, in this phase of your life, like, what is it that you're manifesting for yourself now? Or what is it that you're, I don't know, working towards or claiming. What are you claiming that you haven't received yet?

[Anthony Anderson]

Constant, but not that I haven't received, but I just, I, I just want constant peace in life, you know, in, in however that that comes from. Wherever that comes from.

[Interviewer]

Golf course, maybe?

[Anthony Anderson]

Golf course relationships, work, all of that. I, I just, I just want peace. And, you know, I'm 55 now. You know, I didn't know. I've been doing this 30 years. You just, you said three decades. And I was like, she lying. I was like, oh, wait a minute.

[Interviewer]

Nope.

[Anthony Anderson]

I have been.

[Interviewer]

We have a record of it.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. No, I haven't. You know. You know, it's crazy. I think about my last real job job before I got my, my first real booked, my first gig, which was in the house with LL Cool J and Debbie Allen back on NBC.

[Interviewer]

Wow.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. While I did that, I was working for Ticketmaster. And my last job, I, I worked in the phone, the call center for Ticketmaster. Thank you for calling Ticketmaster, where mastercard is the smart way to pay. This call may be monitored for quality assurance. This is Anthony speaking. How may I help you? I had to do that eight hours a day, five days a week, making $5.50 an hour with a daughter.

[Interviewer]

With a daughter.

[Anthony Anderson]

With a daughter.

[Interviewer]

Wow.

[Anthony Anderson]

And a fiance at the time.

[Interviewer]

Wow.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. So, yeah, that was, that was my last gig. And I think about, you know, the things that have happened in those 30 years.

[Interviewer]

That's so crazy. I didn't realize how much we have a. You know, my. 30 years ago, I was. Hi, my name is Angie. I'm calling you to ask you what songs you listen to on the radio. I'm from music research program I had to do. I did my version of that.

[Anthony Anderson]

Oh, yeah.

[Interviewer]

In the space that I'm in, it's very similar.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. That's crazy. That's amazing. I also, in college, I also had to call you at night and try to sell you encyclopedias and shit.

[Interviewer]

Encyclopedias is crazy.

[Anthony Anderson]

I was like, ah, but it was a gig. But, you know, but I just, I, I, I, you know, I, I pray for. You know what I want? I want more wisdom, patience, you know what I'm saying? Peace, understanding, happiness, joy. I want all the things that every. I, I would, I would hope everybody else wants that. And that's, that's where I am right now.

[Podcast Host]

Today's show is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock Bet. Florida Sports Book. The Big Game matchup is set guys, and Hard Rock Bet has all the different ways that you can get in on next Sunday's action. If you haven't signed Rock Bet, there's never been a better time. This is actually the best time. This week they're launching a brand new welcome offer. This is for new customers. Plus Hard Rock Bed is kicking off its 7 million dollar big game bonus party that's available to all the users and you're definitely not going to want to miss that. And if you're in Florida or New Jersey, the Big Game energy doesn't just live exclusively on the app. You can head to Hard Rock Casino property for drawings, giveaways and all the excitement leading up to kickoff off. Hard Rock Bet also offers new promos every day. So if you are listening to this later, just open the app and check out what you've got. On any day of the week, that's Hard Rock Bet. Download the Hard Rock Bet app and make your first deposit today. Payable and bonus bets not a cash offer offered by Seminole hard Rock Digital LLC. All rewards issued as non withdrawable site credits. $10 plus deposit required for 200 bonus spins for Huff and more. Puff only up to $1,000 back in cash bonus if player has net loss up to $1,000 back in casino Player has net loss on slots after first 24 hours casino bonus credit has a one time wager requirement. Must be 21 or older and present in Michigan or New Jersey to play gambling problem call 1-800-GAMBLER all right, two.

[Commercial Voice]

Truths in a lie. Here we go. I went to college with college football coach Jim McElwain. I began my broadcasting career doing play by play for the Las Vegas Stars, and I've been a Verizon customer for 15 years. Okay, I lied. All three are true. Verizon isn't as expensive as you think. In fact, if you bring in your ATT or T Mobile bill to a Verizon store, they'll give you a better deal. That's right, a better deal on the best network with the most ways to save on plans, streaming and phone deals. So take that AT and T or T Mobile build to your local Verizon store today. Get a better deal and start saving based on root metrics. Best overall Mobile Network Performance US Second Half 2025 all rights reserve must provide recent consumer mobile bill in the name of the person redeeming the deal. Additional terms, conditions and restrictions apply.

[Commercial Narrator]

You've never Been one to settle. Stand down or stand still. You're a lifelong learner, energized by excellence. There's a fire inside you you can't ignore. You've got competition to outrun, momentum to build on, and your own high standards to meet. Stop now. Not a chance. At Capella University, we help you catch what you're chasing because you've always had the drive. Now go earn the degree. Capella University. What can't you do? Visit Capella Edu to learn more.

[Interviewer]

When you travel, there are a lot.

[Commercial Voice]

Of things to remember to pack, like.

[Interviewer]

Noise canceling headphones, a phone charger, your favorite snacks. But the most important thing to bring an acceptable id, like a real ID or a passport. You'll need one of these every time you fly domestically. And unfortunately, a driver's license that's not real ID compliant isn't gonna fly. Find out if you're Travel [e-mail] RealID and visit your local DMV to get your Real ID today.

[Commercial Narrator]

Can you grab one more thing?

[Anthony Anderson]

I'll come back up for you.

[Commercial Narrator]

At Amica Insurance, we know you'll always find ways to look out for the people you love. And with Amica Life Insurance, we'll help build a plan to make sure you always can. We're here to help protect the life you've built.

[Interviewer]

Really? I'm gonna have another one.

[Commercial Narrator]

Amica empathy is our best policy. Visit amica.com and get a quote today.

[Interviewer]

What about in love? Anthony, we've seen you on the carpet with Roxy, which is very cute and interesting, especially for those of us that know Roxy for years.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

And to be friends with somebody for that long and then start dating them.

[Anthony Anderson]

Is an interesting thing. How long has this been going on? And, you know, it was something that just happened. It would, you know, we just happened to be in the same place at the same time at the right time.

[Interviewer]

You mean in life?

[Anthony Anderson]

In life? Oh, yeah, yeah, in life.

[Interviewer]

Did you always kind of have a crush, though, even back in the day?

[Anthony Anderson]

No, you know, honestly, I did not.

[Interviewer]

You didn't watch 106 in Park?

[Anthony Anderson]

I watched 106 in park and was like, oh, she a cutie. But never was like, ah, I gotta get with that. You know, we laugh about that. It's like, no, it was never that for me. And we. We've known each other since. But I met Roxy with Kevin Lyles before she started 106, in part.

[Interviewer]

Oh, wow.

[Anthony Anderson]

I remember I was riding with Kev and he said, I got to go meet somebody and I was like, okay, cool. And this is crazy. I was in New York. I was in the back of his Maybach, and we pulled up, and it was Roxy that he was talking to. And we sit up there, and I was like, yeah, I met you then. She said, yeah, I don't remember you. And so we laugh about it, but. But then friends over, you know, almost 20 years, you know, play spades games and all that. We're in the same friend group and all that. And it just so happened that we just happened to be in the same place at the same time in our lives, and. And this happened, and. And I welcome it. And the difference now is I. I'm learning or I've learned to prioritize a better balance in life, in my personal life, and not be just strictly about work and about what the next project is going to be. And now that. Because I'm no longer in that space.

[Interviewer]

I do think there's something to be said about timing and you being at a place in your life where you can be in a different type of relationship. It's like, I don't know. I don't think people talk about that enough about the timing of connecting with somebody.

[Anthony Anderson]

Right.

[Interviewer]

Whereas, like, Roxy gets to get, like, an evolved version of you.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

You know what I'm saying? I'm sure you're not perfect, and I'm not.

[Anthony Anderson]

Hell, I get to get an evolved version of myself. You know, it's crazy because. And things happen. Again, about asking for things and manifesting things in your life. At one point, not too long ago, I sat back and thought about the relationship that I would like to have at this point in my life. And I realized that I was never going to have that if I was to continue doing what I was doing. Not that it was crazy. And I was like, but hold on. If this is what you want, these are the changes that you have to make. And I made those changes. And I believe you receive what you're asking for. And I asked for this relationship with whomever it was going to be with. And once I cleared a path and a way for that to happen and to come in my life, it happened. And this is where I am right now.

[Interviewer]

I love that.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. And it's a beautiful thing.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. Is it weird for you to be in a pub, for you guys to be so public because there's so much interest in it?

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

You know, is that weird to kind of balance?

[Anthony Anderson]

I've always thought it was weird that, you know, people wanted to know about other people's Relationships. It's none of my business.

[Interviewer]

So.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah, it's weird to be walking down the street or just. I was. We all went to. And.

[Interviewer]

Oh, I saw the carpet.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah, the carpet. But even before that we, we went to an escape room and went and had lunch and. But it was my son, myself and Roxy. But you know, in all the photos they cropped my son out and you know, made it, made a big news. So it was. But look, I. We're both public figures and all that and it's an interest of the public and all that, but everybody wants to be in somebody's business. Everybody wants a story to tell. Everybody wants to tell.

[Interviewer]

They love a love story too. A love story specifically.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. And hopefully this is a wonderful love story.

[Interviewer]

Yes.

[Anthony Anderson]

But I made a way for it.

[Interviewer]

Good for you.

[Anthony Anderson]

I made a way for it to happen in my life and for me to have the relationship that I feel I deserve and a relationship that I feel that, that I need and want at this point in my life as a 55 year old man, it must.

[Interviewer]

Be nice to have someone because she's, she's, she hasn't stopped working her whole career.

[Anthony Anderson]

Not at all.

[Interviewer]

Her hustle is still. I see her showing up set, doing, interviewing this, doing, working on this project. Is that a night. That must be a nice thing to have somebody who kind of understands that.

[Anthony Anderson]

It is, it is. It's great to have somebody who understands the business, who. And who's in the business that, you know, supports you and I support her.

[Interviewer]

Did she have, did she cheerlead the first episode of Star Search? Is she like a fan of the show? That she the type of girlfriend that comes home and goes, you could have did this better or that was really funny, babe. Or like, you know what I'm saying? Do you get that?

[Anthony Anderson]

Kind of. She is a fan of the show. She was there for our first episode last week and she supports it, talks about it, it on, on, on her new segment on, on ABC News. And this is working out perfectly. You know, we, we have a, we have a great relationship, good friend working and personally look at that. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

And Star Search must be fun. I mean, because you care so much about how even the mentor. You talked about mentoring people and it just must be exciting to be around such young, fresh talent.

[Anthony Anderson]

It, it, it, it is exciting to, to be there. You know, I grew up wanting to be on Star Search. They used to have an acting competition on the original. That's right.

[Interviewer]

I remember that.

[Anthony Anderson]

And I remember sitting at home, I was like, mama, we gotta get me to Hollywood so I can audition for this. Cause I can do this much better than what they're doing. I can do this. And we never made it there, but here I am now.

[Interviewer]

Do you have a compassion for them? Like, do you. Are they. I don't know. Do you give them.

[Anthony Anderson]

You know, I try to give them notes as I can be. I'm not a judge, but I don't want it to seem biased or anything like that. So like, like the judges never see any of the performances until the show. Until we do the show live. Because we do the show live Tuesday and Wednesday nights on Netflix. So in rehearsals or run throughs and camera blocking, I get to be there with the talent. And so they perform and then they come center stage and I go through my. Whatever it is telling people how to vote and all that. But I also get a chance to have a conversation with them about how did they feel about their performance, you know, how they feel about the judge's reaction to them. And in that I ask questions or I'll give. I'll give them. I try to give them notes without them being notes and hopefully they pick up on it and hopefully their handlers, if they're the young contestants, their mothers or fathers or whoever's there with him, it's like, yo, that was a good thing that Anthony said. Like, there was a young singer on there and I didn't see him connecting with the audience. You know, in rehearsal, even though there was no audience, he was up there singing, doing a great job, but there was no connection. So when I brought him center stage, I was like, hey, I love the way that you connected with the people in the audience as if you were singing to them directly. I said, that's gonna take you a long way. While you're on Star Search. What do you think about your performance? So I dropped little nuggets like that in rehearsals without being overbearing and all of that, because I know what that means and that's what our judges are there for. That's what Jelly Roll and Chrissy Teigen and Sarah Michelle Gellar is there for. To give constructive criticism and insight as well as judging or giving their one. Their one to five star. But it's fun to be. To be the host of the show, you know, steering that ship live. It's crazy.

[Interviewer]

Such an iconic. It is institution. It is just.

[Anthony Anderson]

And to sit there and host this.

[Interviewer]

You're the perfect host.

[Anthony Anderson]

Look, I've hosted live shows before. I've hosted the Memmys. I've hosted 10 NAACP Image Awards. I've hosted the Soul Train and BET Awards. Those shows are live as well. So I have that experience. But to do this with Netflix, with no commercial brand and the world is watching. Not just America, the world. And for the audience to be able to vote in real time with these contestants on the show, it's pretty amazing because whoever's viewing the show has a say in it. It's not just the three in studio judges. They have a say in it from watching the show. And I love it.

[Interviewer]

You're like the perfect person in the world.

[Anthony Anderson]

Thank you.

[Interviewer]

I don't know who it was going to when it was out of your wheelhouse, but I can't imagine. I can't imagine anybody else hosting it.

[Anthony Anderson]

It wasn't meant for them.

[Interviewer]

Them. All right, so I have two segments. One is our IRL voice note.

[Anthony Anderson]

Okay.

[Interviewer]

Presented by Boost Mobile. It is our. It's usually a fan or a, I don't know, somebody from. Either from the show or from yours who has a question or comment.

[Anthony Anderson]

Hi, Anthony. I'm a huge fan.

[Interviewer]

I was a big fan of Blackish.

[Anthony Anderson]

Me and my family watched it every week when it was on air. I'm an aspiring standup comedian and trying to look for acting rules.

[Interviewer]

I How do you stay confident saying.

[Anthony Anderson]

No to opportunities that don't align with you when you honestly really need a job to pay the bills?

[Interviewer]

What's his name? He got no name.

[Anthony Anderson]

Got no nothing to the no name actor slash comedian who called in first, I would say get a name and make sure the world knows your name. But here's an interesting thing. When I didn't feel there were opportunities for me. I'm not going to answer your question in order, but I'm going to answer it. When I didn't feel there are opportunities for me, I went out and created my own opportunities. You know, let's not forget about that. You go out and create opportunities when you don't see an opportunity for yourself. And I have been fortunate enough to have had success in that with Black ish. With my very first television show that I created. All about the Andersons and whatnot. Never be afraid to challenge things and to take on a challenge for yourself. There were many a time when I was up for something in a movie or not even considered for something in a movie because the character wasn't written. Black wasn't written for me. And this is where I go with. In challenging. I was like, well, why can't it be me? You know, the ethnicity of this character means nothing to the story. It can be anybody. So why can't I come in and read for this? And I was able to change the minds of casting directors and directors and whatnot and get an opportunity to read for. For. For different characters than what they saw me as, and sometimes even be cast as that. But also just be true to yourself and be your authentic self. And that's what I would say. And that comes in the form of telling your story. Since you say you're a comic, a standup, you know, be your authentic self and tell your story and have your tell it from your point of view and have a perspective on things, and that's what's going to set you apart. It's not about being a cookie cutter. It's like, oh, so and so did it this way. So and so did it this way. No, they did it their way, so do it your way as well.

[Podcast Host]

Hey, guys. Support for this podcast is brought to you by Walden University. Have you ever thought to yourself, what if I could go after what I actually want and I could really make a difference? Well, you are not alone. And this is exactly why I want to tell you about Walden University. For over 50 years, Walden has helped working adults like you get the w with the knowledge, the skills, and everything you need to build the future that you want. And you can make a difference where it matters most. If you've been waiting for the right moment, this is it. Head to Waldenu. Edu you and take that first step. Walden University, set a course for change. Certified to operate by Shiv.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Come on, Anthony.

[Anthony Anderson]

Okay.

[Interviewer]

And finally, our IRL bowl of questions.

[Podcast Host]

Brought to you by Walden University.

[Anthony Anderson]

I don't have my glasses.

[Interviewer]

Let's see. I hope it's good. If we don't.

[Anthony Anderson]

If we don't, it's a long one. Oh. If your heart had a rule book, what are two qualities that would be written in bold when it comes to a partner and why?

[Interviewer]

That's intense.

[Anthony Anderson]

It is. My heart had a rule book. First rule would be to be honest. To be honest about what it is, but to be honest about who you are, to be honest about what it is that you're looking for in a partnership, and to be honest in what it is that you want in a relationship. That's one thing I'm going to give you a whole lot. Be consistent in who you are. Be the same person that that person met and that fell in love with. Never forget who that is and what attracted that person to you. You can't switch up midstream. It's like Oh, I got you now. No. So you have to be consistent in all of that. Be patient, be understanding. I think that that's enough. That's good, right?

[Interviewer]

Are you all those things.

[Anthony Anderson]

I'm trying to become better at all of those things. And to be honest, it's an adjustment. You know, I was in a relationship and in a marriage for 33 years. So, you know, some of these things are. They're hard to break. They're not unbreakable. Just old habits that you have to retrain, Retrain yourself or train yourself differently. And, you know, some old habits you really don't want anyway, you know, regardless of the relationship. It's like. Because we talk about evolving, it's like, you know, I. I want to change. I'm no longer that person. But these habits that I have seem to bring me back to being that person, and I don't want that cycle. So, yeah, it's. You know, you have to be cognizant of conscious and conscious of that in yourself. So I'm becoming a better me. I'm no longer the Anthony Anderson that I was, you know, 10 years ago, five years ago, shit, two years ago. So, yeah, I am. I'm getting better. Better at becoming those things.

[Interviewer]

It's fun to watch you.

[Anthony Anderson]

Oh, thank you. It's fun to be on this journey.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah. It's exciting. It's exciting. I'm not gonna lie. It's exciting for me.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

What is Anthony Anderson doing in five years? Ooh.

[Anthony Anderson]

What am I doing in five years? I will tell you this. You and I are going to be playing better golf together in five years.

[Interviewer]

I'll take it.

[Anthony Anderson]

That's.

[Interviewer]

That's. That's that. I love that you willed that not only for yourself, but you put me in it.

[Anthony Anderson]

What the people need to know is that I was there when you. I don't. I don't know if it was the first time you played golf, but I was there in the very beginning for you.

[Interviewer]

It was tragic.

[Anthony Anderson]

And a year to the date, the year, to the day later, I was there when you were playing much better golf at the same event.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, same.

[Anthony Anderson]

And we've been traveling the world playing golf with each other and around each other.

[Interviewer]

Isn't it such a wonderful. Isn't it just, like a wonderful thing to do? It is.

[Anthony Anderson]

It is.

[Interviewer]

I love it so much.

[Anthony Anderson]

So we will definitely be doing that together in five years. What will I be doing in five years? Hopefully still doing Star Search live on Netflix and probably wrapping up or in the midst of another successful television show that people will be talking about 20 years down the line. Like they will be talking about Blackish, like they've been talking about the Cosby show, like they've been talking about all in the Family, like they've been talking about Martin, like they've been talking about all the great shows ahead of them. So hopefully that's what I will be doing in five years and doing another five year reunion on irl. Yay. I'm claiming it for us.

[Interviewer]

I love that.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yeah, I'm claiming it for us.

[Interviewer]

Well, all that's gonna happen because you are the master Manifestor.

[Anthony Anderson]

Yes, ma'. Am. The master Manifestor.

[Interviewer]

Anthony Anderson, the master Manifestor.

[Anthony Anderson]

Sounds like an old episode of Seinfeld. The master Masturbator.

[Interviewer]

Excuse me. That was the episode that would open a whole other line of questioning, which unfortunately we don't have time for today, but thank you so much. And my final outro question for you, Anthony, is it's in the bowl too. It's one of my favorite ones in the bowl. If God were to send you a text today, what would it say?

[Anthony Anderson]

Oh, keep doing what I put you on this earth to do. And it's not just entertaining. I'll say this about I believe my energy was put on this earth to entertain. I said that earlier. But that is why I'm here to share this gift. And it's, it's crazy that I'm in a medium to do just that. Television, stage, film, movies, live shows. I've always said that I wanted to have an effect and an effect on people's lives with my work. And because of my work, that takes me around the world to have conversations like this. So I believe his text to me would be continue to do what I put you on this earth to do. Do.

[Interviewer]

Anthony Anderson, ladies and gentlemen. Well done, sir.

[Anthony Anderson]

Thank you. This is Anthony Anderson in real life.

[Podcast Host]

Hey guys, thanks for watching. Make sure you subscribe, like comment and check out all of the other episodes we have on Andrew Martinez, IRL podcast.

[Commercial Narrator]

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[Interviewer]

Store.

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We can't wait to meet you. Store hours vary by location.

[Anthony Anderson]

This is Julian Edelman from Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jewels. Sunday mornings I've got my game day ritual, coffee, Lucky socks and now new Morning Uncrustable Sandwiches.

[Interviewer]

It's all about that 12 gram protein.

[Commercial Voice]

Boost with the new Uncrustables Bright Eyed Berry or Up and Apple flavors.

[Anthony Anderson]

Bright Eyed Berries got a feisty receiver.

[Commercial Voice]

Energy up an apple.

[Interviewer]

Your classic do it all tight end.

[Anthony Anderson]

Soft, pillowy, packed with protein and easy enough for Gronk to grab from the freezer. Whether you're on the couch, driving to.

[Commercial Voice]

The tailgate or heading to the locker room, new Morning Uncrustable Sandwiches are the MVP of snacks.

[Anthony Anderson]

Your new Sunday kickoff ritual starts here with new Morning Uncrustable sandwiches packed with 12 grams of protein. If you're the purchasing manager at a manufacturing plant, you know having a trusted partner makes all the difference. That's why hands down, you count on Grainger for auto reordering. With on time Restocks, your team will.

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[Anthony Anderson]

You can end your day knowing knowing they've got safety well in hand. Call 1-800-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Commercial Narrator]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.