Doris Bowman and Anthony Anderson on ‘To Tell the Truth’.Photo:Christopher Willard/ABC/Getty
Christopher Willard/ABC/Getty
Anthony Anderson’s mom, Doris Bowman, is more than just his parent — she’s also his colleague.
Theblack-ishactor was born to Bowman on Aug. 15, 1970, in Compton, California. Bowman was a telephone operator and Anderson’s stepfather, Sterling Bowman, owned a chain of three clothing stores.
Bowman was also an aspiring actress but shifted her focus to raising her son after welcoming Anderson, a choice the mother-son pair reflected on in an interview withEntertainment Tonightin June 2023.
“Mom, you sacrificed your dream of becoming an actress to raise me, was it all worth it?” Anderson asked Bowman.
From their six-week European vacation to her supporting the actor as he hosts the 2023 Emmy Awards, here’s everything to know about Anthony Anderson’s mom, Doris Bowman.
She had dreams of being an actress early on
Anthony Anderson and his mother Doris Bowman attend the VH1’s “Dear Mama” taping at St. Bartholomew’s Church on May 2, 2016 in New York City.Jim Spellman/WireImage
Jim Spellman/WireImage
Bowman shared on theRachael Ray Showin October 2021 that she had wanted to be an actress since she was 17, but when her son came along, she decided to hang up that dream.
“She put her dreams of being an actor on hold to raise an actor, not knowing that’s what she was doing,” Anderson chimed in. “And all these years later, I’m in a position to allow my mother to live her dream and that’s what we’re doing.”
When Ray asked Bowman what it was like to find her fame at 68 years old, Bowman said it was “wonderful,” joking that now she gets a “check.” She added that she was also able to buy her dream home.
She is a mother of two
Anthony Anderson and Doris Bowman on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!'.Randy Holmes/Getty
Randy Holmes/Getty
Derrick also made an appearance alongside his mom and Anderson onCelebrity Family Feudin 2015.
Doris Bowman and Anthony Anderson attend the Television Academy’s Performers Peer Group Celebration on August 22, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.JB Lacroix/ WireImage
JB Lacroix/ WireImage
Bowman and Anderson have worked together on numerous shows, includingTo Tell The Truth, House Hauntersandepisodes ofblack-ish. However, she and Anderson took things to the next level when they embarked on a six-week journey across Europe, which was documented inTrippin’ with Anthony Anderson and Mama Doris.
The show, which premiered on E! in June 2023, followed Anderson and Bowman as they traveled through England, France and Italy and enjoyed experiences ranging from walking the runway at African Fashion Week to learning dining etiquette lessons.
In an interview with PEOPLE ahead of the show’s premiere, Anderson joked that his mom was often hard to impress. Though she enjoyed her margherita pizza in Europe, she was displeased with the small portions at the Michelin-star-rated restaurants Anderson took her to.
“There wasn’t enough food on the spoonfor my mother to be happy,” Anderson said. “She went to her room and ordered room service.”
“I don’t like oysters and snails,” Bowman chimed in.
Though they enjoyed their trip, the pair both joked they were ready for it to end in their interview withET.
“Hmm, the rose on our trip, was when the trip was over and could see you go on your way home and I go home, ‘cause I’m gonna need six months to recover from this six-week trip with you,” Anderson teased.
She is proud of her son — and is not afraid to share it
Anthony Anderson and Mama Doris on ‘Trippin’ with Anthony Anderson & Mama Doris’.Simone Padovani/E! Entertainment/Getty
Simone Padovani/E! Entertainment/Getty
During their stay in Europe, Anderson told PEOPLE that his mom was not afraid to get male attention — and show off her successful son.
He said the most challenging part of the trip was trying to ward off “all the young men” who expressed interest in his mom.
“That was the embarrassing part,” he said. “It was like, ‘All right, you tough guys, I’m not going to call you ‘Dad,’ but that’s my mom!’ … My mom’s a big freak, so watch yourself.”
And as they were walking around, he said Bowman was only too happy to tell everyone how famous her son was.
They host the game showWe Are Family
Anthony Anderson and Doris Bowman.FOX/Getty
FOX/Getty
Anderson and his mom were announced to take over FOX’sWe Are Familyin November 2023 after the original family duo —Jamie Foxxandhis daughter Corinne— could no longer fill the role due to scheduling conflicts.
The series, which premiered in January 2024, is a game show filmed with a live audience of contestants who have to use a series of clues to guess which celebrity a performer is related to before they are revealed.
She will join Anderson when he hosts the 2023 Emmy Awards
Anthony Anderson and Doris Bowman on ‘To Tell the Truth’.Christopher Willard/Getty
Christopher Willard/Getty
Ahead of his hosting duties at the75th Annual Primetime Emmy Awardsin January 2024, Anderson told PEOPLE thathis mom would come out to join himon stage.
“I can’t host the Emmys without having Mama Doris on the stage with me, so we’re finding some smart ways to incorporate her into the show,” he said.
source: people.com
