Joe Anderson
Encyclopedia
Joe Anderson is an English film actor, probably best known for his performances in Across the Universe
, Becoming Jane
, Control, The Ruins
and The Crazies
.
and later the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art
in London. Both his parents are theater actors, who also work in television and films. Anderson himself, has acted professionally since childhood. His skills include photography, guitar and gymnastics. His father is actor Miles Anderson
; his mother is talent agent Lesley Duff. He was diagnosed with dyslexia
and attributes his move into acting to this.
. Earlier in his career, he appeared in Copying Beethoven, playing Ludwig van Beethoven
's nephew Karl. He then starred as Max Carrigan, a young American man, drafted into the Vietnam War
in Across the Universe
. After that, he appeared in period film Becoming Jane
as Henry Austen, Jane Austen
's older brother, then as bassist Peter Hook
of the band Joy Division
in Anton Corbijn
's 2007 movie Control. In 2008, he played Elliot in The 27 Club and a German tourist in The Ruins
. In 2009, he starred in High Life as Donnie and in Love Happens as the musician boyfriend of Jennifer Aniston
's character. He was also seen in Amelia
, the biopic of Amelia Earhart
, and in Rogue's Gallery
as the main character "Fool". He appeared in 2010's The Crazies
, a remake
of the 1973 horror film of the same name.
He and his cast mates from Control were featured in The Killers' music video for their version of the Joy division
song "Shadowplay
".
In an interview with Pure Movies, he said that talking about himself made him "uncomfortable" and feel "self indulgent" and that he really struggled with it.Anderson has recently been selected to play Alistair in the upcoming Twilight movie, Breaking Dawn.
In Across the Universe
, he sang covers of Beatles songs. The numbers he performed solo or with other cast members included "Hey Jude
", "Happiness Is a Warm Gun
", "With a Little Help from My Friends
", "Strawberry Fields Forever
". "Dear Prudence
", "Because
and "I Want You (She's So Heavy)
". All of these recordings were released on the corresponding soundtrack album.
In Control, as bassist Peter Hook
of the group Joy Division
, he and his cast mates performed "Transmission
", "Leaders of Men" and "Candidate" among others. These three performances were shown in their entirety in the special features under the extended performance scenes section of the DVD. "Transmission" was the only recording by the cast released on the soundtrack album.
In The 27 Club, Anderson played the bassist of a successful music duo called Finn. He and cast/band mate James Forgey penned the theme song for the film. A studio version and an acoustic version of the song were made available on the film’s official website.
.
Across the Universe (film)
Across the Universe is a musical romantic drama film directed by Julie Taymor, produced by Revolution Studios, and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The film's plot is centered around songs by The Beatles. It was released in the United States on October 12, 2007. The script is based on an original...
, Becoming Jane
Becoming Jane
Becoming Jane is a 2007 historical film directed by Julian Jarrold. It is inspired by the early life of author Jane Austen , and her posited relationship with Thomas Langlois Lefroy . Also appearing are Julie Walters, James Cromwell and Maggie Smith...
, Control, The Ruins
The Ruins (film)
The Ruins is a 2008 Australian-American horror film directed by Carter Smith and starring Jonathan Tucker, Shawn Ashmore, Jena Malone, Laura Ramsey and Joe Anderson. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Scott Smith, who also wrote the screenplay...
and The Crazies
The Crazies (2010 film)
The Crazies is a 2010 American horror film directed by Breck Eisner. Written by Scott Kosar and Ray Wright, the film is a remake of the 1973 film of the same name by George A. Romero, who is also the executive producer and co-writer of the remake....
.
Personal Life
He attended Richmond upon Thames CollegeRichmond upon Thames College
Richmond upon Thames College is a further education college in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, which provides education primarily to 16-19 year olds...
and later the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art
Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art
The Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, formerly the Webber Douglas School of Singing and Dramatic Art, was a drama school, and originally a singing school, in London. It was one of the leading drama schools in Britain, and offered comprehensive training for those intending to pursue a...
in London. Both his parents are theater actors, who also work in television and films. Anderson himself, has acted professionally since childhood. His skills include photography, guitar and gymnastics. His father is actor Miles Anderson
Miles Anderson
Miles Anderson is a Zimbabwean actor. He has lived in England and America for the last 40 years.He was born in 1947 in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Educated at Prince Edward school, his father commanded the Rhodesian Army until dismissed by Premier Ian Smith for his stance against racism and a...
; his mother is talent agent Lesley Duff. He was diagnosed with dyslexia
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a very broad term defining a learning disability that impairs a person's fluency or comprehension accuracy in being able to read, and which can manifest itself as a difficulty with phonological awareness, phonological decoding, orthographic coding, auditory short-term memory, or rapid...
and attributes his move into acting to this.
Career
Anderson has worked in film, television and on stage at the Chichester Festival TheatreChichester Festival Theatre
Chichester Festival Theatre, located in Chichester, England, was designed by Philip Powell and Hidalgo Moya, and opened by its founder Leslie Evershed-Martin in 1962. Subsequently the smaller and more intimate Minerva Theatre was built nearby in 1989....
. Earlier in his career, he appeared in Copying Beethoven, playing Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
's nephew Karl. He then starred as Max Carrigan, a young American man, drafted into the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
in Across the Universe
Across the Universe (film)
Across the Universe is a musical romantic drama film directed by Julie Taymor, produced by Revolution Studios, and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The film's plot is centered around songs by The Beatles. It was released in the United States on October 12, 2007. The script is based on an original...
. After that, he appeared in period film Becoming Jane
Becoming Jane
Becoming Jane is a 2007 historical film directed by Julian Jarrold. It is inspired by the early life of author Jane Austen , and her posited relationship with Thomas Langlois Lefroy . Also appearing are Julie Walters, James Cromwell and Maggie Smith...
as Henry Austen, Jane Austen
Jane Austen
Jane Austen was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature, her realism and biting social commentary cementing her historical importance among scholars and critics.Austen lived...
's older brother, then as bassist Peter Hook
Peter Hook
Peter Hook is an English bass player, musician and author.He was a co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division along with Bernard Sumner in the mid-1970s. Following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band reformed as New Order, and Hook played bass with them throughout their career until...
of the band Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
in Anton Corbijn
Anton Corbijn
Anton Corbijn is a Dutch photographer, music video and film director. He is the creative director behind the visual output of Depeche Mode and U2, having handled the principal promotion and sleeve photography for both for more than a decade...
's 2007 movie Control. In 2008, he played Elliot in The 27 Club and a German tourist in The Ruins
The Ruins (film)
The Ruins is a 2008 Australian-American horror film directed by Carter Smith and starring Jonathan Tucker, Shawn Ashmore, Jena Malone, Laura Ramsey and Joe Anderson. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Scott Smith, who also wrote the screenplay...
. In 2009, he starred in High Life as Donnie and in Love Happens as the musician boyfriend of Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Joanna Aniston is an American actress, film director, and producer, best known for her role as Rachel Green on the television sitcom Friends, a role which earned her an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.Aniston has also enjoyed a successful film career,...
's character. He was also seen in Amelia
Amelia (film)
Amelia is a 2009 English-language biographical film of the life of Amelia Earhart, starring Hilary Swank as Earhart along with a cast that includes Richard Gere, Christopher Eccleston and Ewan McGregor. It is directed by Mira Nair based on a script initially written by Ronald Bass...
, the biopic of Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
, and in Rogue's Gallery
Rogue's Gallery (film)
Operation: Endgame is a 2010 action-comedy film directed by Fouad Mikati featuring an ensemble cast. It premiered on November 5, 2009 at the American Film Market and had a limited release in the US on July 16, 2010 It was released on DVD and Blu-ray on July 27, 2010.-Plot:It's inauguration day for...
as the main character "Fool". He appeared in 2010's The Crazies
The Crazies (2010 film)
The Crazies is a 2010 American horror film directed by Breck Eisner. Written by Scott Kosar and Ray Wright, the film is a remake of the 1973 film of the same name by George A. Romero, who is also the executive producer and co-writer of the remake....
, a remake
Remake
A remake is a piece of media based primarily on an earlier work of the same medium.-Film:The term "remake" is generally used in reference to a movie which uses an earlier movie as the main source material, rather than in reference to a second, later movie based on the same source...
of the 1973 horror film of the same name.
He and his cast mates from Control were featured in The Killers' music video for their version of the Joy division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
song "Shadowplay
Shadowplay (song)
"Shadowplay" is a song by the band Joy Division. It appeared on the 1979 album Unknown Pleasures. The song was covered by the Killers in 2007 and Carpathian in 2010.-Lyrics:...
".
In an interview with Pure Movies, he said that talking about himself made him "uncomfortable" and feel "self indulgent" and that he really struggled with it.Anderson has recently been selected to play Alistair in the upcoming Twilight movie, Breaking Dawn.
Awards
Anderson received the Rising Star Award at the California Independent Film Festival in 2008. He was named Best Actor Drama at Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival 2008 for his performance in The 27 Club.Musical performances
Anderson appeared in several music related films in which he also performed musical pieces.In Across the Universe
Across the Universe (film)
Across the Universe is a musical romantic drama film directed by Julie Taymor, produced by Revolution Studios, and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The film's plot is centered around songs by The Beatles. It was released in the United States on October 12, 2007. The script is based on an original...
, he sang covers of Beatles songs. The numbers he performed solo or with other cast members included "Hey Jude
Hey Jude
"Hey Jude" is a song by the English rock band The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The ballad evolved from "Hey Jules", a song widely accepted as being written to comfort John Lennon's son, Julian, during his parents' divorce—although this explanation is not...
", "Happiness Is a Warm Gun
Happiness Is a Warm Gun
"Happiness Is a Warm Gun" is a song by The Beatles, featured on the eponymous double-disc album The Beatles, also known as The White Album...
", "With a Little Help from My Friends
With a Little Help from My Friends
-Joe Cocker version:Joe Cocker's version was a radical re-arrangement of the original, in a slower, 6/8 meter, using different chords in the middle eight, and a lengthy instrumental introduction...
", "Strawberry Fields Forever
Strawberry Fields Forever
"Strawberry Fields Forever" is a song by The Beatles, written by John Lennon and attributed to the Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership. It was inspired by Lennon's memories of playing in the garden of a Salvation Army house named "Strawberry Field" near his childhood home."Strawberry Fields...
". "Dear Prudence
Dear Prudence
"Dear Prudence" is a song written by John Lennon, and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was released by The Beatles as the second track on their 1968 double-disc album entitled The Beatles, commonly known as The White Album.-Composition:...
", "Because
Because (The Beatles song)
"Because" is a song written by John Lennon and recorded by The Beatles in 1969. It features a prominent three-part vocal harmony by Lennon, McCartney and George Harrison, overdubbed three times to make nine voices in all...
and "I Want You (She's So Heavy)
I Want You (She's So Heavy)
"I Want You " is a song by The Beatles, from their album Abbey Road. It was written by John Lennon, although credited to Lennon–McCartney....
". All of these recordings were released on the corresponding soundtrack album.
In Control, as bassist Peter Hook
Peter Hook
Peter Hook is an English bass player, musician and author.He was a co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division along with Bernard Sumner in the mid-1970s. Following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band reformed as New Order, and Hook played bass with them throughout their career until...
of the group Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
, he and his cast mates performed "Transmission
Transmission (song)
"Transmission" is a song by post-punk band Joy Division, released on Factory Records in November 1979 on 7" and re-released as a 12" single with a different sleeve in December 1980....
", "Leaders of Men" and "Candidate" among others. These three performances were shown in their entirety in the special features under the extended performance scenes section of the DVD. "Transmission" was the only recording by the cast released on the soundtrack album.
In The 27 Club, Anderson played the bassist of a successful music duo called Finn. He and cast/band mate James Forgey penned the theme song for the film. A studio version and an acoustic version of the song were made available on the film’s official website.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Creep Creep (film) Creep is a 2004 British horror film about a woman locked in overnight on the London Underground who finds herself being stalked by a hideously deformed killer living in the sewers below... |
Male Model |
| 2005 | Midsomer Murders Midsomer Murders Midsomer Murders is a British television detective drama that has aired on ITV since 1997. The show is based on the books by Caroline Graham, as originally adapted by Anthony Horowitz. The lead character is DCI Tom Barnaby who works for Causton CID. When Nettles left the show in 2011 he was... |
Max Ramsom |
| 2005 | Afterlife Afterlife (TV series) Afterlife is a British television drama series, produced by independent production company Clerkenwell Films for the ITV network... |
Phil |
| 2005 | Silence Becomes You Silence Becomes You Silence Becomes You is a 2005 British thriller film starring Alicia Silverstone, Sienna Guillory and Joe Anderson.- Plot :The film tells the tale of two sisters, Violet and Grace, who live a sheltered life within a secluded New England mansion, inherited from their parents... |
Luke |
| 2006 | Copying Beethoven | Karl van Beethoven |
| 2006 | Little Box of Sweets | Seth |
| 2007 | Becoming Jane Becoming Jane Becoming Jane is a 2007 historical film directed by Julian Jarrold. It is inspired by the early life of author Jane Austen , and her posited relationship with Thomas Langlois Lefroy . Also appearing are Julie Walters, James Cromwell and Maggie Smith... |
Henry Austen |
| 2007 | Control | Peter Hook Peter Hook Peter Hook is an English bass player, musician and author.He was a co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division along with Bernard Sumner in the mid-1970s. Following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band reformed as New Order, and Hook played bass with them throughout their career until... |
| 2007 | Across the Universe Across the Universe (film) Across the Universe is a musical romantic drama film directed by Julie Taymor, produced by Revolution Studios, and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The film's plot is centered around songs by The Beatles. It was released in the United States on October 12, 2007. The script is based on an original... |
Max Carrigan |
| 2008 | Mathias | |
| 2008 | Elliot | |
| 2009 | High Life High Life (film) High Life is a 2009 Canadian film based on the stage play by Lee MacDougall, written by Lee MacDougall and directed by Gary Yates. Starring Timothy Olyphant, Stephen Eric McIntyre, Joe Anderson and Rossif Sutherland, High Life is a comedic heist movie from the flip-side of the 80’s consumer dream.-... |
Donnie |
| 2009 | Love Happens | Tyler |
| 2009 | Amelia Amelia (film) Amelia is a 2009 English-language biographical film of the life of Amelia Earhart, starring Hilary Swank as Earhart along with a cast that includes Richard Gere, Christopher Eccleston and Ewan McGregor. It is directed by Mira Nair based on a script initially written by Ronald Bass... |
Bill |
| 2009 | Operation: Endgame Rogue's Gallery (film) Operation: Endgame is a 2010 action-comedy film directed by Fouad Mikati featuring an ensemble cast. It premiered on November 5, 2009 at the American Film Market and had a limited release in the US on July 16, 2010 It was released on DVD and Blu-ray on July 27, 2010.-Plot:It's inauguration day for... |
Fool |
| 2010 | The Crazies The Crazies (2010 film) The Crazies is a 2010 American horror film directed by Breck Eisner. Written by Scott Kosar and Ray Wright, the film is a remake of the 1973 film of the same name by George A. Romero, who is also the executive producer and co-writer of the remake.... |
Russell Clank |
| 2010 | Flutter Flutter (film) Flutter is an upcoming British independent dark comedy film about gambling, written by Stephen Leslie and directed by Giles Borg currently filming in England... |
John |
| 2011 | Breaking Dawn Part 1 | Alistair |
| 2012 | Breaking Dawn Part 2 | Alistair |
Discography
All the songs listed below were Beatles covers Anderson did in Across the UniverseAcross the Universe
"Across the Universe" is a song by the English group The Beatles. It was written by John Lennon, and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The song first appeared on the various artists charity compilation album No One's Gonna Change Our World in December 1969, and later, in different form, on Let It Be,...
.
- With A Little Help From My FriendsWith a Little Help from My Friends-Joe Cocker version:Joe Cocker's version was a radical re-arrangement of the original, in a slower, 6/8 meter, using different chords in the middle eight, and a lengthy instrumental introduction...
- I Want You (She's So Heavy)I Want You (She's So Heavy)"I Want You " is a song by The Beatles, from their album Abbey Road. It was written by John Lennon, although credited to Lennon–McCartney....
- Dear PrudenceDear Prudence"Dear Prudence" is a song written by John Lennon, and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was released by The Beatles as the second track on their 1968 double-disc album entitled The Beatles, commonly known as The White Album.-Composition:...
- BecauseBecause (The Beatles song)"Because" is a song written by John Lennon and recorded by The Beatles in 1969. It features a prominent three-part vocal harmony by Lennon, McCartney and George Harrison, overdubbed three times to make nine voices in all...
- Strawberry Fields ForeverStrawberry Fields Forever"Strawberry Fields Forever" is a song by The Beatles, written by John Lennon and attributed to the Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership. It was inspired by Lennon's memories of playing in the garden of a Salvation Army house named "Strawberry Field" near his childhood home."Strawberry Fields...
- Happiness Is A Warm GunHappiness Is a Warm Gun"Happiness Is a Warm Gun" is a song by The Beatles, featured on the eponymous double-disc album The Beatles, also known as The White Album...
- Hey JudeHey Jude"Hey Jude" is a song by the English rock band The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The ballad evolved from "Hey Jules", a song widely accepted as being written to comfort John Lennon's son, Julian, during his parents' divorce—although this explanation is not...
- All You Need Is LoveAll You Need Is Love"All You Need Is Love" is a song written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was first performed by The Beatles on Our World, the first live global television link. Watched by 400 million in 26 countries, the programme was broadcast via satellite on 25 June 1967...
– although he is not credited, Anderson is seen singing back-upBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
in the film .
Other appearance
- The Killers music video of 'Shadowplay'
- He played Demetrius in William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer's Night Dream" and Aloysius in "Master & Margherita," at the Chichester Festival Theatre in West Sussex, England.