Anthony Anderson’s home break-in happened while the actor was away doing something positive, raising funds for students at his former college.
The Black-ish star wasn’t home when three individuals broke into his Los Angeles property in the Encino neighborhood on Sunday, May 18. Instead, he was in Palm Springs, busy hosting a fundraiser for his foundation, which helps support students attending Howard University.
Confirming it was his primary residence that got hit, Anderson revealed he learned about the burglary during the event. At this point, LAPD has confirmed that no arrests have been made, and they’re still unsure whether anything was actually stolen from the property.
Detectives believe that burglary crews like this one often don’t even know whose house they’re targeting until after the fact, but since they go after big, expensive homes, it’s no surprise celebrities like Anderson end up on the hit list.
Anthony Anderson has deep ties to the cause he was fundraising for when the break-in occurred. After originally dropping out of college due to financial struggles, the 54-year-old finally graduated from Howard University in 2022. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, the same school his son Nathan attended, which inspired Anthony to go back and finish what he started.
Finishing his degree wasn’t just about personal fulfillment. He called it one of his proudest moments, even though he had anxiety leading up to the ceremony. He admitted he was paranoid that a school official might stop him on stage and say he didn’t pass or was short one credit. Spoiler: He passed, and he walked across that stage proudly.
And how did he celebrate? Like a proper graduate, with his son, his best friend Jerry aka “Skinnyboy,” and a crew of 22-year-olds at a club on U Street in D.C. They partied until 4 a.m., and Anderson made sure to hold his own all night long. “I still got it!” he told People, adding that he refused to be out-partied by college kids. Although he confessed, the hangover hit him hard the next day.
Even though the burglary news is definitely unsettling, Anderson hasn’t publicly indicated if he’s taking any extra security measures yet. What we do know is that the actor has been focusing heavily on education, activism, and supporting the next generation. Still, having his personal space violated while he was out doing good work is a pretty brutal reminder of how real the risks are for public figures living in L.A.
Hopefully, LAPD gets a break in the case soon, and Anthony doesn’t have to go through this kind of scare again. For now, he’s probably wishing the thieves had picked a different night, maybe one where he wasn’t out trying to change lives for the better.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
