Sam Anderson’s Journey: The Secret to Writing the Perfect Supportive TV Husband!

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If Sam Anderson were to receive an award for Best Supporting Spouse in Television, he would undoubtedly deserve a place in the Television Hall of Fame. Recognizing him might be challenging at first due to the numerous roles he’s played on stage, screen, or television – perhaps you remember him as the lead character in “Forrest Gump” or from his more than 100 TV appearances, spanning shows like “Perfect Strangers” and the recent limited series “Painkiller.” Many viewers first fell for him as Bernard Nadler, the loving and dedicated husband of Rose, on the hit show “Lost.” Now, at 78 years old, he’s back with another network success, portraying Kathy Bates’ Madeline Kingston’s supportive spouse, Edwin, in the CBS series “Matlock.” This reboot by Jennie Snyder Urman puts a new spin on the 1980s Andy Griffith series. In it, Bates plays Matty, a kind and homespun lawyer who is compelled to return to work after her husband’s death and care for her teenage grandson. However, by the end of the premiere, viewers discover the truth when Matty reunites with Edwin, her devoted husband of almost 50 years, back at their luxurious mansion. In reality, Matty is undercover at the law firm she accuses of being responsible for her daughter’s death, as they concealed evidence that could have taken opioids off the market. Edwin becomes her partner in this world of deceit and espionage, which presents new challenges for the retired professor. The show’s humor often stems from watching Edwin get entangled in Matty’s schemes, but there is also much delight in witnessing a couple who genuinely cherish each other.
Here are some interesting facts about Sam Anderson, the actor behind Edwin, and his illustrious career.


Even he has been caught off guard by the massive success of “Matlock.”

Despite his experience with major productions that have devoted fan bases, Anderson finds himself astounded by the extraordinary popularity of “Matlock.” He frequently ponders, “I still can’t believe it – how on earth did I end up here? It’s incredible!” He attributes the show’s success to its talented cast, including Beau Bridges, Jason Ritter, and Skye P. Marshall, although Anderson himself didn’t initially interact with them in Season 1. The creator, Jennie Snyder Urman, is also praised for consistently delivering unexpected twists each week. “Reading the scripts feels like diving into a best-selling novel,” he exclaims. “More times than not, I’m left astonished by what Jennie has managed to achieve. It’s a pleasure to read and play.


He and his Oscar-winning co-star go way back.

The special bond he has with Bates is strengthened by the fact they’ve known each other for 40 years, having first met in a class taught by José Quintero, Anderson’s mentor and a renowned theater director. Over time, they would cross paths, even collaborating on another legal drama called “Harry’s Law” in 2011. Anderson expresses that Bates has always been one of his biggest fans. When the opportunity to star in “Matlock” came along, Anderson eagerly accepted it, describing the experience as a blessing. He explains that working with Bates feels like stepping into co-star paradise, especially since he shares an equal passion for acting and understanding the craft. In his own words, “I landed in co-star heaven.” Furthermore, Bates makes it effortless to portray their nearly 50-year marriage on screen. He explains that looking into her eyes and speaking honestly is all that’s needed. However, even while deceiving others, he emphasizes the importance of always telling the truth.


He put himself on tape for the role of Edwin.

Initially, there wasn’t much information about Edwin in the pilot, but his role has expanded significantly throughout the season. He expresses satisfaction with this development, stating, “I try to approach things with an open mind, and it seems to have evolved quite well.” It might come as a shock to some that Anderson, who boasts over 100 acting credits, had to audition for the role. However, he remains unbothered, commenting, “The rules have changed since the pandemic, and I don’t hold any grudges about opportunities to audition.” In the early days of the pandemic, he wasn’t optimistic about returning to work, fearing retirement might be necessary: “I thought I would probably have to retire because we didn’t know when we’d be back or what was happening.”

Fortunately, one of his first jobs post-pandemic was “Painkiller,” where he played Raymond Sackler, a member of the family believed to have contributed to the opioid crisis. He had completed that project when he found out that his character in “Matlock” would be a father who lost his daughter to opioid use. “Given my recent experiences with the opioid issue,” he says, “I was able to bring that perspective and knowledge into this show.


Roles for older actors appear to be better than ever.

Anderson humorously remarks that 75 seems more like 50 nowadays, but quickly adds that he was joking. However, he acknowledges the truth in his statement and appreciates the growing trend of portraying older individuals as lively and valuable rather than incapable or doddering, which used to be a common stereotype. Additionally, Anderson points out an increase in acting roles for older actors. He recalls an audition 30 years ago where he was vying for the role of a son alongside veteran actors. In the waiting room, he witnessed iconic actors one after another, all competing for this part. At one point, there were about 15 of them in the room, and an actor entered, jokingly saying, “For heaven’s sake, don’t any of you have the decency to just pass away?” The room burst into laughter, and Anderson admired that these actors were still actively working. At that moment, he thought to himself, “I hope I can do the same.


“Lost” was a game-changer.

In Anderson’s words, joining “Lost” during its second season as a character known as Bernard was a game-changer. Previously, he had been an unseen passenger in the back of the plane when it split apart, leaving him separated from his wife Rose, portrayed by L. Scott Caldwell. Rose was a popular character in the show’s first season, and Anderson’s introduction as Bernard was humorously summarized by Jorge Garcia’s character Hurley, who remarked: “So, Rose’s husband’s white. Didn’t see that one coming.” However, the show never elaborated on this racial aspect, instead focusing on the deep love between Rose and Bernard. Anderson cherished this portrayal of a normal interracial relationship, as he felt it was unexpected for the show to avoid addressing race-related issues. The only drawback to his five seasons on “Lost” was the constant questioning from fans about whether or not the characters were dead, especially since Anderson himself would often get confused and even consulted his teenage son for clarification. Interestingly, before “Lost,” Anderson was best known for playing a cardiologist on the medical drama “ER.” Coincidentally, he also acted alongside George Clooney in both a short-lived “ER” spin-off and Clooney’s first play, “Vicious,” in 1986. On one occasion, Anderson recalled visiting a hospital and riding an elevator with three doctors, who recognized him as a doctor and addressed him accordingly.


Theater is still a big part of his life and career.

A theater artist with degrees in creative writing and American literature for added assurance, Anderson has been engaged in stage acting and directing since the 1970s. Significant milestones include portraying the lead character in David Mamet’s “Edmund” and acclaimed performances in “The Bird and Mr. Banks” (2010) and “Blackbird” (2011). In 2005, he joined the esteemed Road Theatre Company, where he now serves as a board member and co-artistic director. Despite being a non-profit theater with only 99 seats, the Road has made a substantial impact since its inception in 1991. One of Anderson’s cherished productions with the company was “The Play About the Baby” by Edward Albee. He mentions that Albee granted them the rights to the play, which was wonderful, and shares that the playwright passed away on their opening night. “It was a moving performance and experience,” Anderson recalls.

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2025-04-27 20:17