Best known as the star and executive producer of ABC’s hit sitcom, Black-ish, Anthony AndersonHas been working in Hollywood since late 1990s. The 51-year old comedian has appeared on TV shows such as The Bernie Mac Show, The Shield, Law & Order.He has also appeared on movies like Me, Myself & IreneThe Departed, Transformers, Scream 4.
Anderson has been married for more than 20 years. However, his marriage nearly ended in 2015. Here’s everything you need to know about Anthony Anderson’s wife, Alvina Stewart, and the couple’s brief separation.
Anthony Anderson and Alvina Stewart Wed in 1999
Married for over two decades, Anthony Anderson and Alvina Stewart have been by each other’s side for a very long time. Anderson confirmed that they were high school sweethearts. a 2018 interview on The Tonight Show With Jimmy FallonStewart was a Howard University student that he had met. He also shared that while he was forced to drop out during his junior year due to money issues (he’s currently taking classes and aiming to finally get his degree in 2022).
Anderson and Stewart have two children together—a 24-year-old daughter named Kyra and a 20-year-old and son named Nathan.
According to her Instagram profile,Kyra lives in Houston and works as a doula. Nathan, who also attended Howard University, is hoping to follow in his father’s career footsteps as an actor. He’s already racked up a number of TV credits, appearing on shows like Richie Rich, Black-ish,And All About Washingtons.
Anderson said that Stewart and he tried to be kind to their children as they raised them in Hollywood. “I grew up in Compton, Los Angeles, so [when I became an actor] I overcompensated because of my background,” Anderson admitted in a 2015 interview with Yahoo! News. “I wanted to give [my children] everything I didn’t have. But I can’t spoil my kids. I had to say, ‘Wait a minute — am I creating a monster? I can’t keep freely giving you things.’ My kids have schoolwork, community service, and chores.”
Stewart Filled for Divorce in 2015
Rumors about the state of Anderson and Stewart’s marriage began swirling back in 2014. TMZ reported September 2015 that Anderson and Stewart had been married. Stewart had indeed filed for divorceFrom her husband. The report also revealed that Anderson and Stewart had been separated since April 1, 2014. Court papers indicated that Stewart was seeking primary physical custody of their children and allowing Anderson “reasonable visitation” rights.
Anderson had previously credited his wife with helping to slim down a year earlier (he lost a whopping 47 pounds!) To better manage his type II diabetes, he will need to change his diet and exercise routines. “My wife’s become an avid gym rat, and she inspires me,” he said in a 2013 interview with The Los Angeles Times. “My children are fit too and also help me keep going.”
The disease was first diagnosed in 2002 by Anderson, who had struggled for years with maintaining a healthy weight. “At first, I wasn’t in the driver’s seat,” Anderson said in a 2018 interview with Diabetes Voices. “Diabetes blindsided me. Back then I felt like, ‘How am I going to deal with this disease?’ But you have to…[Today]I am more in control of what I do consciously. I am more in control over my health, such as being more diligent about going to the gym and eating healthy foods. It’s all about making healthier choices.”
The Couple later reconciled in 2016
Fortunately, the Anderson-Stewart families split was not permanent. Stewart dismissed her divorce suit in December 2016The couple was soon seen together at many Hollywood events, including the January 2017 Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG). “It’s fun,” Anderson said in a SAG red carpet interviewWith Entertainment Tonight. “It’s been a while since we’ve been on a red carpet together, but we’re here tonight so we’re excited about it.”
While neither Anderson nor Stewart revealed the story behind their decision to get back together, it’s clear that they were willing to do what it took to work through tough times. In a 2016 interview with Elle magazine, Black-ishStar stated that he often looked up to his parents for role models in managing important life relationships.
“There are going to be ups and downs in any relationship. It’s a team,” Anderson said. “Sometimes, as a team, you win together. Sometimes you lose as a group. My parents never got angry and worked out their differences. They may not have agreed with one another, but they didn’t let that disagreement stop them from laying with one another in peace at night.”
