Eddie "Rochester" Anderson

Edmund Lincoln Anderson (September 18, 1905 – February 28, 1977) was an American actor and comedian known for his gravelly voice. To a generation of early radio and television comedy audiences, he was known as "Rochester". Anderson entered show business as a teenager on the vaudeville circuit. In the early 1930s, he transitioned into films and radio.

In 1937, he began his role of Rochester van Jones, usually known simply as Rochester, the valet of Jack Benny on the NBC radio show The Jack Benny Program. Anderson became the first African American to have a regular role on a nationwide radio program.