Anthony, Joseph
ANTHONY, JOSEPH
ANTHONY, JOSEPH (Deuster ; 1912–1993), U.S. director and actor. Born in Milwaukee, Anthony appeared in many stage productions including Peer Gynt, Camino Real, and Anastasia, as well as a few motion pictures, such as the 1941 comedy Shadow of the Thin Man. He also directed movies. These films include the 1956 classic The Rainmaker, starring Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn, as well as The Matchmaker (1958), Career (1959), All in a Night's Work (1961), and Tomorrow (1983).
Anthony made his Broadway debut in 1937, and in the years following was the dance partner of dancer and choreographer Agnes de Mille, the niece of director Cecil B. de Mille. Anthony worked as a set designer on films and dabbled as a film actor. His main interest, however, was the stage, and he became one of Broadway's most accomplished directors. He was nominated six times for a Tony award as best director for his productions of The Lark (1956); A Clearing in the Woods (1957); The Most Happy Fella (1957); The Best Man (1960); Rhinoceros (1961); and 110 in the Shade (1964).
Anthony made numerous television appearances as an actor on such shows as The Defenders, The Untouchables, Suspense, Kraft Television Theatre, and Danger, and directed for tv as well, becoming the house director of the 1960s crime series Brenner.
[Ruth Beloff (2nd ed.)]