Anthony Anderson Says 'Family Is Most Important' to Him Following His Divorce from Ex-Wife Alvina (Exclusive)

Anthony Anderson and Alvina Stewart Anderson reached an agreement in 2023 after filing for divorce twice

Anthony Anderson is sharing his biggest priority in life right now.

While attending the Golden Gala at Beverly Hilton on Friday, Jan. 3, Anthony gave PEOPLE an update on his life a year after finalizing his divorce from ex-wife Alvina Stewart Anderson. Reflecting on the past few years, Anthony says he is putting his family first.

“Family is most important to me,” the actor, 54, explains. “I went through a divorce a couple of years ago and just bringing the family back together — [I] have my son here with me tonight. Just the importance of family and letting bygones be bygones.”

The Black-ish star even teases a potential collaboration with his actor son Nathan, saying he would love for them to work together.

“My son has been following in my footsteps,” he begins. “I shouldn't say my footsteps, [but] he's creating his own path as an actor and he's had some success over the last three to five years, so I'm happy for him, supporting him. Hopefully one day we get to work together on something, but he's a great musician, great artist and I'm excited for him as well.”

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In addition to Nathan, 25, Anthony and Alvina also share a daughter, 28-year-old Kyra, who was born in 1996 before the pair legally wed. They tied the knot in 1999, which was also their 10th anniversary. 

Alvina first filed for divorce in 2015, citing irreconcilable differences and listing April 1, 2014, as their date of separation. Two years later in 2017, she filed to dismiss the petition, with E! News reporting that the two appeared to reconcile their marriage.

Then, on March 25, 2022, Alvina filed for divorce for the second time, citing the date of separation as "TBD." They came to a settlement in late 2023, and Anthony agreed to pay his ex-wife spousal support and cover her attorney fees.

Related: Anthony Anderson Says Mental Health Is 'Something We Don't Really Talk About' in the Black Community (Exclusive)

Anthony had opened up about how he and Alvina met in December 2021, revealing that their paths first crossed in college.

"My sophomore year, her freshman year, I knew a girl who lived in the apartment, so I went to knock on the door to invite her to this party that me and my buddies were having,” he told Parade. "My wife answered the door. I was like, 'I was coming to invite Stacey to this party we're having.' Stacey didn't show up, but my wife did – and we have been together ever since that night. And I was just me: I got there early, she didn't see nobody else, she was, 'All right, I'm gonna rock out with this dude!'"

He added: "We got married on our 10-year anniversary. She's quiet, I'm loud. Opposites attract."