Joseph Anthony

American playwright, actor, and director (1912 1993)
the American playwright and director

Joseph Anthony (born Joseph Deuster; May 24, 1912 – January 20, 1993) was an American playwright, actor, and director. He made his film acting debut in the 1934 film Hat, Coat, and Glove and his theatrical acting debut in a 1935 production of Mary of Scotland. On five occasions he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Direction.

Joseph Anthony was born as Joseph Deuster in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 24, 1912. His parents were Leonard Deuster and Sophie Deuster (née Hertz). Anthony attended the University of Wisconsin. He married Perry Wilson on August 2, 1942, in New York City. He prepared for the stage at the Pasadena Playhouse from 1931 to 1935 and at the Daykarhanova School from 1935 to 1937. Anthony served in the United States Army during World War II from 1942 to 1946. He trained at Camp Ritchie and it’s Composite School Unit. On January 20, 1993, Joseph Anthony died at the age of 80 in a nursing home in Hyannis, Massachusetts.

Joseph Anthony, then appearing under his original name of Joseph Deuster, made his professional acting debut in 1935 playing the role of Rizzio in a production of Mary of Scotland. In 1937 he appeared in the touring production of "Dead End". He went on to make his first New York City appearance two years later with the Federal Theatre Project Company playing the title role in a production of Professor Mamlock at Daly's 63rd Street Theatre. After returning from service in World War II, Anthony reappeared on Broadway under the name Joseph Adams at the Belasco Theatre as the Second Man in a 1946 production of Truckline Cafe. He first performed under the name Joseph Anthony in January 1948 at the Maxine Elliott Theatre in a production of Skipper Next to God. Joseph Anthony made his New York City directorial debut in April 1948 directing a production of Celebration at the Maxine Elliott Theatre. Mary, Mary was Anthony's longest running production, lasting nearly four years and more than 1500 performances. Anthony also directed several other original Broadway productions, including Romulus in 1962, Slow Dance on the Killing Ground in 1964, Jimmy in 1969, and the notoriously unsuccessful Breakfast at Tiffany's in 1966.

Joseph Anthony first major film appearance was in Hat, Coat, and Glove in 1934. He went on to appear in She in 1935, Shadow of the Thin Man in 1941, and Joe Smith, American in 1942. Anthony's first film direction was the 1956 film adaptation of The Rainmaker, a play he also directed. Anthony also directed such films as The Matchmaker in 1958, Career in 1959, All in a Night's Work in 1961, and Tomorrow in 1972.