Early life

Born in Connecticut and raised in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, Anderson attended Henry Hudson Regional High School, with his friend, aspiring writer Kevin Smith, from which they both graduated in 1988.

While Anderson was working at AT&T, Smith was working on his debut movie Clerks. As a joke, Anderson auditioned for the role of "Jay," and based on this audition, Smith later offered Anderson a lead role as video store employee Randal Graves; a foul-mouthed apathetic slacker, who patronized, angered, and mocked his customers whilst avoiding any real work opportunities.

Career

For his role in Clerks, Anderson was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance. In every scene in Clerks, he had gum in his mouth; he claims it helped him relax. Anderson often says that when he is recognized as Randal it is always by voice, not appearance.

In 2002, Anderson wrote, directed, and starred in his own debut film (as writer/director) Now You Know, the entire writing process only lasting three months. Anderson received a nomination for Best Male Performance at the Chicago Film Festival for his role in Love 101 and has been seen in Peter Bergstrom's Something Cool. Anderson also started his own production company in Hollywood. In 2006, Anderson reprised his role as Randal in Clerks II.

In 2008, Anderson appeared in Kevin Smith's romantic comedy Zack and Miri Make a Porno as Deacon, the cameraman and film editor for the porno made by leading stars Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks.

On September 14, 2010 Anderson made his first appearance on Kevin Smith's SModcast filling in for Scott Mosier on SModcast #134. In his podcast Anderson stated he had moved out of Los Angeles and into a "retirement community in the mountains" where he is "the youngest person there by 20 years." He stated he remarried in 2009 to an actress named Barbara Jacques whom he met while house sitting for Kevin Smith.

In 2015, Anderson will have a cameo role in the film Finding London. His scene was shot in Rhode Island in July 2014.

Filmography

• Clerks (1994) - Randal Graves
• Dogma (1999) - Gun Salesman
• Love 101 (2000) - Phil
• Clerks: The Animated Series (2000) (TV series) - Randal Graves
• Vulgar (2000) - Surly Duck (uncredited)
• Stealing Time (2001) - Buddy
• Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) - Randal Graves
• Now You Know (2002) (actor, writer, and director)
• The Flying Car (2002) (short film) - Randal Graves
• Clerks: The Lost Scene (2004) - Randal Graves
• Clerks II (2006) - Randal Graves
• Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) - Deacon
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2011) (TV series) - Sumg, in episode "Wookiee Hunt"
• Finding London (2015) - Sam

[ Source: Wikipedia ]