Ernie Lively, an actor with credits during a 45-year film and TV career, died at the age of 74.
His representative told Deadline that he died June 2 in Los Angeles of cardiac complications.
Ernie was the father of actors Eric Lively and Blake Lively. He played the father of Blake’s character in 2005’s The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and its sequel in 2008.
Ernie began his screen career with guest roles on such popular series as The Waltons, Fantasy Island, and a recurring role on The Dukes of Hazzard, according to Deadline.
He was a popular face on TV series and telefilms during the 1970s and ’80s, appearing in several episodes of Hill Street Blues, Falcon Crest, Newhart, and later Murder, She Wrote, and The West Wing.
Ernie also guested on shows as Seinfeld, Fame, Scarecrow & Mrs. King, Remington Steele, and Thirtysomething, per the news outlet.
He started with small roles in films by the late ’80s, appearing in Turner & Hooch, Shocker, Hard to Kill, Air America, The Man in the Moon, Passenger 57 and Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, among others.
Born on January 29, 1947, in Baltimore, Ernie served in the Marines in Vietnam before making his career in acting.
He was also a prolific acting coach and mentor, shaping the careers of Alyson Hannigan, Brittany Murphy, Scott Grimes, among others, including his children Eric and Blake and stepchildren Lori, Jason, and Robyn Lively.
Ernie is survived by his wife Elaine Lively and all five children and son-in-law Ryan Reynolds; a sister, Judith; and several grandchildren. The article was published on Deadline.
