- (1954-1958) From the age of 3, until the age of 7, Christian lived in Hollywood, California and performed in live radio commercials on radio station KMPC.
- A veteran, Christian volunteered with the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era. As an illustrator, he created orientations and briefings with the 62nd Military Airlift Wing (MAC), where he was also a member of the Honor Guard. He later worked on military training films with the Aerospace Audiovisual Service (MAC), where he worked with the first unit to produce films on videotape, rather than film stock. He received an Honorable Discharge for his service.
- Was a judge for the Las Vegas Film Festival from 2010-2012.
- Credits actor and comedian Taylor Negron (1957-2015) with mentoring him in working with actors on the set.
- He worked in the Operations Department at the Houston Symphony Orchestra during the 1999 season.
- Christian has observed the filming of scenes for several major motion pictures. He was present during shoots for "Now You See It, Now You Don't" (1968), "They've Killed President Lincoln!" (1971), "Magnum Force" (1973), "The Towering Inferno" (1974), "Telefon" (1977), "48 Hours" (1982), "Garbo Talks" (1984), "Falling in Love" (1984), "View to a Kill" (1985), and "Mr. Wrong" (1996).
- Christian's birth father was Robert Clifton Anderson, a cowboy, cabinet maker, and horse rancher, who he never met. His first step-father was newscaster and radio personality Vance Graham, who hosted the popular show "Bolero Time" at KMPC in Hollywood for many years. His second step-father was Raymond D. Bowman, who was a classical, jazz and "world" artist's agent, concert presenter, music critic, and writer, based in Los Angeles. Bowman was a survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941.
- Was chosen to appear in "Marquis Who's Who in the World" for 2010. Only 60,000 individuals worldwide are so named each year. (May 2010)
- While on tour in Palm Springs, California, Tim Gunn of the reality series "Project Runway" was honored by the nearby city of Palm Desert with an official resolution declaring the day of his visit, April 27, 2007 "Timothy M. Gunn Day." Christian made the presentation of this resolution along with honors from the city of Palm Springs and the city of Rancho Mirage. These were given to Mr. Gunn "in recognition of his career achievements". (April 2007)
- His feature film directorial debut, "Defcon 2012", won "Best Science-Fiction Feature Film" at the "New York International Independent Film Festival". It was also shown at the Cannes Film Festival during the Marché du Film.
- His favorite film is Roman Polanski's "Chinatown" (1974) and considers it the only film that "scores a perfect 10 in every aspect".
- He was formerly a professional member of the "Directors Guild of Great Britain.".
- Christian lived in San Francisco for 25 years and became a historian and authority on the pre-1915 era. He has identified several previously unidentified locations for photographs in the collections of the Smithsonian Institute, Stanford University Library, Huntington Library, and University of California at Berkeley.
- In the mid-1950s, as a boy, Christian lived with his mother at the "Highland Towers" apartment building at 1922 Highland Ave. in Hollywood. One floor above them (in the penthouse) lived "Criswell". His mother soon became friends with the famed TV psychic and Christian was allowed to play in his private garden. Former residents of the building include Thelma Todd, Lyle Talbot, Mary Martin and her son Larry Hagman, as well as Criswell (under the name "Mr. King").
- Christian's mother attended the Hollywood premiere of "The Great Caruso", at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood and took Christian, who was only a few months old at the time. She met actress Lucille Ball in the ladies' lounge, then suddenly had to leave for a half-hour, Lucy (pregnant with her daughter Lucie Arnaz) volunteered and happily babysat Christian until she returned. (February 1951)
- Among the films he most admires are Chinatown (1974), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Milk (2008), Bullitt (1968), THX 1138 (1971), Brokeback Mountain (2005), Eyes Wide Shut (1999), Meet Joe Black (1998), The Wild Bunch (1969), and Now, Voyager (1942).
- His favorite all-time television show is The Streets of San Francisco (1972).
- His mother is Lita S. Bowman, who was a radio personality on station KMPC during the 1950s. In 1959 she was riding in a convertible in the "Santa Claus Lane Parade" on Hollywood Blvd. A then 9-year-old Christian darted out into the street in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater during the parade to kiss her to the cheers of the audience.
- Graduated from Louis Pasteur Junior High, which is the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (L.A.C.E.S.) today. Previous alumni include Leonardo DiCaprio, David and Patricia Arquette. (January 1966)
- (1963-1965) Attended Virgil Junior High in Los Angeles, whose previous alumni include Marilyn Monroe, Carole Lombard, and Richard Crenna.
- Has 5 tattoos by the legendary tattoo artist Ed Hardy. They were all done at Hardy's San Francisco studio in the mid-1980s.
- Since High School in 1966, Christian has been a fan of Chris Clark, a Motown recording artist. In 1972 Clark became an Oscar-nominated screenwriter for "Lady Sings the Blues." In 2007, Christian met Clark and she ultimately became his mentor in screenwriting. In 2015, she recorded "The Ghosts of San Francisco," for Christian, which he co-wrote with John Thomas Bullock, for his feature film "When the World Came to San Francisco." Clark also voiced the character of "Molly" for his first animated short "The Ruminator" in 2020.
- As a child actor, Christian was signed with the Marcella Bell Talent Agency (located at 9172 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood) with a 2 year contract. (1956)
- Auditioned with legendary choreographer Burch Mann to become one of the original "Mouseketeers" on the Disney television show "The Mickey Mouse Club". After testing, Ms. Mann approached Christian's mother and declared "Although your son makes a fine appearance, can act and sing ... he just can't dance". (1955)
- Is a song lyricist and has also composed music for films. He is a member of The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
- During the spring of 1993, he gave docent "behind the scene" tours at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco.
- In February 1960, as a boy of 9, Christian's step-father Raymond D. Bowman took him to the United Western Recording Studios in Hollywood. They were there to attend the recording of the first studio album by legendary jazz pianist Les McCann called "Les McCann Plays The Truth" for Pacific Jazz Records. Playing with McCann was bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Ron Jefferson. While there, Christian was invited by Mr. McCann to sit with him at the piano while he worked on the arrangement for "How High the Moon." A few months later on Saturday, May 28, 1960, his step-father presented McCann in a concert at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, along with the Martin Denny Group ("Quiet Village") and singer Gene McDaniels ("A Hundred Pounds of Clay"). The concert was sold out.
- In the mid-1950s, when Christian was a small boy, his mother (a radio announcer at KMPC in Hollywood) took him to Nickodell's Restaurant at Selma and Argyle Streets. One day while having lunch, Dick Powell and June Allison stopped by and joined the pair for a few minutes. Their own son, Richard Jr., was born the same year as Christian.
- On September 18, 1969, while serving in the U.S. Air Force, Christian was an eye witness to a plane crash when a Douglas C-47 came down in a wooded area, just after takeoff from McChord Air Force Base, in Tacoma, Washington. Five military personnel were killed and seven others were seriously injured.
- November, 2016 - The music video for "The Ghosts of San Francisco," which Christian directed, won the "Mixed Genre Jazz Film Award" at the "New York Jazz Film Festival." Performing on the video was Academy-Award Nominee and Motown recording artist, Chris Clark, who attended the festival and accepted the award she shared with him. Christian also wrote the lyrics for the song which he co-wrote with composer John Thomas Bullock.
- Christian has received 2 personally signed letters from President Barack Obama. The first letter sent on August 27, 2014, was to thank Christian for his military service in the United States Air Force. The second letter sent on January 3, 2017, reads: "Your reflections on the progress we've made together mean a lot to me. I want you to know that messages from people like you have touched my heart and informed my Presidency. They've stayed with me and they've kept me going and they always will".
- Christian experienced 3 major California earthquakes. The first was the 1971 Sylmar Earthquake in Los Angeles on February 9, 1971, with a magnitude of 6.7. The second was the 1987 Whittier earthquake which impacted most of southern California on October 1, 1987 with a magnitude of 5.9. The third was the great Loma Prieta earthquake, which struck San Francisco on October 17, 1989, with a magnitude of 6.9.
- On February 22, 2017, Christian received a letter from Congressman Ruben Kihuen (D-NV 4th District). His letter read: "I commend your tremendous talent that will enrich our community through art. It takes an exceptional talent not just to direct a short film, but to write the song for it as well. I extend my sincere compliments and admiration as you continue to make such a positive impact through your films. Keep up the good work and make us all in Nevada's Fourth Congressional District proud".
- March, 2017 - Christian is a member of the Air Force Association and his entry for their "Airman for Life" logo competition won first prize. His winning design was unveiled by AFA President, Larry Spencer, at the 33rd annual Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando on March 2. 2017. Christian said "The pride of being a part of the Air Force has never left me. I was inspired to represent that enduring spirit in the logo. For me, the embodiment of that concept was the symbol for 'infinity,' which I incorporated into my design.".
- On Sunday, September 16, 1962, at the age of 12, Christian attended an 8-hour Balinese "shadow puppet" performance (Wayang Kulit) at the North Hollywood studio of dance legend Ruth St. Denis. His step-father Raymond D. Bowman was co-producer of the event with Ms. Denis and Indonesian dance legend Devi Dja. Christian was invited by Ms. Denis' to her private quarters where she shared tea, cookies, stories, and her photo collection with him for nearly 2 hours.
- As a boy of 9, Christian attended the Democratic National Convention with his family in Los Angeles from July 11 through July 15, 1960. John F. Kennedy was nominated and would win the Presidency the following year.
- Christian was the Art Director for "Racquet Tech Magazine" from January 2001 through November 2003 where he created over 30 covers for the magazine. Over 25 covers featured his original illustrations or photography. Christian also designed the cover art for the book "The Physics and Technology of Tennis" by Brody, Cross, and Lindsey.
- R. Christian Anderson's film "Manhattan Montage" won the New York Film Festival's "Top Music Video" award in Harlem on August 29, 2017. The award was accepted by Miriam Danar who was the photographer for the film.
- Graduated from the Hollywood Film Institute as a "Feature Film Producer".
- Christian has donated several historic artifacts to the collections of both the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio and the San Diego Air and Space Museum in San Diego, California.
- November 2018 - Christian produced the CD soundtrack album of Aubrey G. Young's original motion picture score for the feature film "Defcon 2012." He created the concept for the CD, took the cast photos, and designed the cover art for the album. It was released on Amazon.com on November 19, 2018.
- Certified as a "Cinema Director" and "Line Producer" by the Hollywood Film Institute.
- His surname "Anderson" is not Scandinavian. The name comes from his birth father's ancestors who immigrated from Scotland to the United States in the early 1700s and settled in Pennsylvania.
- Though he was born and raised Roman Catholic, he converted to the Episcopal Church at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco in 1985.
- Christian's direct ancestors William and Susanna White, and their son Resolved White were passengers on the Mayflower voyage of 1620. Four of his direct ancestors were Patriots and fought in the American Revolutionary War. Another direct ancestor, Laban Guilliams, fought in the American Civil War and was badly wounded at the "Battle of Stones River" (1862-1863) in Tennessee.
- His second step-father was Raymond D. Bowman who presented thousands of concerts of live jazz, world, and popular music during the 1950s and 60s. Christian often accompanied him and served as a stage manager or lighting technician.
- During the Covid-19 pandemic, Christian decided to learn to play the electric guitar. He bought his first guitar, a new Stratocaster, and began taking lessons. He has now collected 5 new guitars, including 2 Stratocasters and a Telecaster model. (May 2021)
- Credits Paul Gregory (1920-2015) in mentoring him in the art of producing films.
- Credits actor Denny Miller (1934-2014) in mentoring him in the art of character development.
- Christian completed his Master's Degree in 1992 at the University of Metaphysics in Sedona, Arizona. He went on to complete a Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies (PhD) in 2001. His field of study was "Comparative Religion.".
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