'Night Court' star Harry Anderson dead

Actor Harry Anderson, who presided over the comedy "Night Court" for nine seasons, is dead. He was 65.

The actor died at his home in Asheville, North Carolina, reported variety.com.

Anderson was found at his home by police officers on Monday. No foul play is suspected, police said, according to a report by WSPA-TV.

Anderson was a magician-turned-actor who was known as a huge fan of jazz singer Mel Torme. The affection for Torme was woven into his TV alter ego, Judge Harry Stone, a quirky character who ruled the bench at a Manhattan night court.

Anderson, who earned three consecutive Emmy nominations for his work on the show from 1985-1987, gained attention after he guest starred as Harry "the Hat" Gittes on "Cheer" in the early 1980s. On "Night Court", Anderson played a goofy but big-hearted judge who encountered a host of oddball characters and cases every week.

After "Night Court", he co-starred as columnist Dave Barry in the comedy "Dave's World", which ran for four seasons.

Born in Rhode Island, Anderson reportedly had a difficult childhood and moved frequently with his mother, whom he once described in an interview with Playboy as "a hustler". He moved to California at the age of 16 to be with his father.

He became a street performer and reportedly ran a lucrative shell game on the streets of San Francisco for a time.

Anderson's other credits included guest shots on "Tales From the Crypt" and "Tanner 88", "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" and "The John Larroquette Show".

--IANS

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