April 25, 2019

Ernie Hudson - Another unsung hero of Film & TV



Ernie Hudson never made it big and it's a pity. He was one quarter of the most recognisable work gang in 1980's movies but for some reason it's success never carried over to his career. It's a shame. He's one of those good all rounders who looks comfortable being either the tough guy, the comedian or just a plain ol' family man. Happily he's used that everyman skill to carve himself out a very comfortable career as a supporting artist in a 43 year long career consisting of well over 200 roles.

He's heckled Neil Diamond in an ill fated remake and fought off super intelligent gorillas in the Congo. He's been beaten down by the Hulk and beaten up by Chuck Norris. He's been known to throw crazy nannies out of windows to save lives. At different times he's been friends with Charles Ingalls, Arnold Jackson and Latka Gravas. He's had adventures in forbidden space zones and called up the A-Team for help. Been the cop that helped out a zombie looking for revenge and shared a prison island with a strangely gentle Lance Henriksen. He's been Michael Jordan's father and Sandra Bullock's boss. He's investigated Desperate Housewives and been in charge of some of the most violent criminals ever seen onscreen. He's genuinely never off the TV and as such has ended up far more recognisable than some of his co-stars in his biggest hits. Check out his career here.




Greatest Hits

Ghostbusters - Winston Zeddemore. The token Black guy in the gang. Happily used his relatively little screentime to create a character still remembered 35 years later.

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle - Solomon, the handyman with special needs who becomes the hero of the day after his life is nearly ruined by an evil Rebecca DeMornay.

The Crow - Sergeant Albrecht. The cop who investigates a double murder and then gets pulled into a dangerous game when the murdered man (Brandon Lee) rises from his grave to get revenge. 

The Basketball Diaries - Reggie. The man who's sets Jim Carroll on a path to recovery. A small but pivotal part in a very underrated movie.



Oz - Warden Leo Glynn. Probably his most famous role. A complex character who way too often let his emotions get the best of him. Played this part for 6 years.

Previous heroes

Lin Shaye
James Remar
Cloris Leachman
James Hong
David Strathairn
Frankie Faison
Conchata Ferrell
Dick Miller
Veronica Cartwright
Edie McClurg
Barry Shabaka Henley           
Raymond Cruz                        
Reg E.Cathey                          
Elizabeth McGovern               
John Amos                              
Bruce Greenwood                  
Mary McDonnell                     
Gerald McSorley                       
John Rothman                        
Margo Martindale                   
Kurtwood Smith                     
Paula Malcolmson                 
Luis Guzman                          
David Morse                           
Linda Hunt                              
Keith David                             
Zeljko Ivanek
Fiona Shaw
Xander Berkeley
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
C.C.H Pounder
William Forsythe
Beth Grant
Sven-Ole Thorsen
Regina King
Ric Young
Mark Rolston
Illeana Douglas
Jeanette Goldstein
Al Leong
Allan Graf
Bill Nunn
Thomas Rosales Jr

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