Houston lawyer named in best supporting actress' Academy Award acceptance speech

Mo’Nique, who won the best supporting actress Academy Award last night for her work in the movie “Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire,” included Houston entertainment lawyer Ricky Anderson (pictured) on a short list of people she thanked during her acceptance speech. “Thank you for your hard work,” Mo’Nique said to Anderson during her speech. “That was very, very kind of her. I’m kind of a quiet guy,” says Anderson, managing partner of Anderson & Smith, who says he’s represented Mo’Nique for about 14 or 15 years. He says she was referred to him by another client, probably comedian Steve Harvey, who is the new host of game show "Family Feud." Anderson says he can’t talk specifically about the work he does for Mo’Nique, but he notes that her comment on the Academy Awards broadcast “made it well known I do represent her.” Mo’Nique has a talk show on the BET network called "The Mo'Nique Show." Anderson says he’s an avid viewer of award shows such as the Academy Awards because he likes to keep up with the industry. Anderson’s client list also includes gospel singer and Houston native Yolanda Adams.
-- Brenda Sapino Jeffreys