Anthony Anderson Sheds Tears (and Some Blood) for ‘Unsung Hero’ Brother on HGTV’s ‘Celebrity IOU’
Actor Anthony Anderson had a hard time holding back the tears when he gifted his brother a full home transformation on HGTV‘s Celebrity IOU.
Of course, Anthony had a “little help” from Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott as he and a team of contractors made major updates to younger brother Derrick’s Compton, California home. Derrick is an ER trauma nurse and first responder, who has been so busy at work the past few years, that he hadn’t had time to make necessary repairs and updates.
Anthony said that had to change and he vigorously got in on the renovations – needing a nurse himself at one point.
The ‘Celebrity IOU’ team has their work cut out for them
Anthony showed Drew and Jonathan that this update needed more than paint and plaster. “I made jokes about the heat but this is the heating system they have,” Anthony showed the guys, pointing to an old outdated heating system that no longer works.
When they enter the kitchen, they notice the floor is slanted. Plus they wonder about a broken window in the corner of the kitchen. “That’s a hole behind the cardboard,” Anthony said. The “repair” to a broken window in the kitchen was a piece of cardboard. He joked, “That’s why the house can’t keep any heat, Drew.”
“My brother Derrick, a couple of years ago we were at the World Series for the Dodgers,” Anthony explained. “And Tommy Lasorda signed a baseball for my brother. He came home, [wife] Joy was outside on the porch. He threw the ball to her. The porch is over there. The window is over there.” Anthony added that the hole in the window has been covered with the cardboard for over two years.
Anthony Anderson sheds blood for this little brother on ‘Celebrity IOU’
The demo was intense, but so were the repairs. Drew and Jonathan realized that the home needed a new roof and new HVAC. The crew also installed several support beams for safety. The team created a light and airy open floorplan that featured a chef’s kitchen and designed a photo wall, which included family memories and a feature piece.
Anthony was very hands-on when it came to making design decisions. Plus he was happy to help with the demo – but he got injured during the floor installation. While trying to hammer the floor in place, Anthony’s finger got in the way. He screamed in pain as the hammer slammed into his hand.
“I hit my finger!” he screamed. “Is that blood? That’s blood.” Jonathan called his brother to bring in the first aid kit.
“Had a little mishap,” Anthony said in a confessional. “Not only willing to give my time but my blood sweat and tears literally.”
‘Celebrity IOU’ ends with an emotional moment between brothers
Thankfully, Anthony recovered quickly from the injury. He essentially pinched his finger with the hammer and he could continue to help put his brother’s dream home together for the big reveal. During the car ride over with Derrick, Anthony said, “While we were laying down your floor I haphazardly busted my finger out. So I wanna let you know it is truly blood, sweat, and tears that went into this remodel.”
And the tears were flowing when Derrick saw the home. Both Anderson brothers cried as they toured the home alongside Drew and Jonathan.
“I’m happy and impressed at the man Derrick has become,” Anthony said. “It means a lot for me to be able to do this. What better way to honor him and his family than to give him a new home that he so deserves.”
Adding, “I’m thankful and grateful to be able to give a gift like this to Derrick, because he is truly an unsung hero,” added Anthony. “He is a hero to me and to our family.”
