Ernie Lively obit

Ernie Lively, Actor in the ‘Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ Films, Dies at 74

Five of his children followed him into acting: Lori, Jason, Robyn, Eric and Blake.

 

 He was not on the list.

Ernie Lively, whose 50-year acting career included turns in Passenger 57, The Dukes of Hazzard, Turner & Hooch and as the father of his daughter Blake Lively’s character in the two Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants films, has died. He was 74.

Lively died Thursday of cardiac complications in Los Angeles, his family announced. He was surrounded by his wife and all of his children.

Lively’s credits also included other notable films like Shocker (1989), Air America (1990), Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991), The Man in the Moon (1991), The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) and Mulholland Falls (1996) and guest appearances on TV shows including The X-Files, Seinfeld, Murder, She Wrote and The West Wing.

He also starred with Phil McHale in popular Hardee’s commercials from 1979-81 as part of the duo Runner & Ernie.

Born Ernest Brown Jr. in Baltimore, Lively was an English professor and served as a lieutenant in Vietnam, returning as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, before he became an actor. Having coached a number of young actors throughout his career, he became known not only as a performer but as a well-respected mentor.

In addition to Blake Lively, his sons Jason Lively (National Lampoon’s European Vacation) and Eric Lively (So Weird, The L Word) and daughters Robyn Lively (Twin Peaks, Doogie Howser, M.D.) and Lori Lively (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, ER) have built acting careers as well.

Survivors also include his wife, Elain; children Bart, Lani and Ryan; nine grandchildren; and sister Judith.

Filmography

 

    The Waltons (1975, TV Series) as Railroad Conductor

    McCloud (1977, TV Series) as Bartender

    The Million Dollar Dixie Deliverance (1978, TV Movie) as Danny

    The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1984, TV Series) as Longstreet B. Davenport / Clyde, The Guard / Dobro Doolan

    It's My Turn (1980) as Man at Restaurant

    Drop-Out Father (1982, TV Movie) as Conductor

    Secret Admirer (1985) as Guard

    Badge of the Assassin (1985, TV Movie) as U.S. Marshal

    Misfits of Science (1985, TV Series) as Army Officer

    The Children of Times Square (1986, TV Movie)

    Fuzzbucket (1986, TV Series) as Teacher #1

    Wisdom (1986)

    Warm Hearts, Cold Feet (1987, TV Movie) as Ernie

    Convicted: A Mother's Story (1987, TV Movie)

    In The Mood (1987) as Chief Kelsey (Papa Bear)

    Hollywood-Monster (1987) as Production Manager

    Into the Homeland (1987, TV Movie) as Tom Burnside

    The Tracker (1988, TV Movie) as Bob

    Scandal in a Small Town (1988, TV Movie) as Jeremy Travis

    The Secret Life of Kathy McCormick (1988, TV Movie) as Jeff

    Buckeye and Blue (1988) as Jess Thatcher

    Turner & Hooch (1989) as Motel Clerk

    An Innocent Man (1989) as Donatelli's Dealer

    Shocker (1989) as Warden

    Hard to Kill (1990) as LAPD Captain

    Follow Your Heart (1990, TV Movie) as Mitch

    Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase (1990, TV Movie) as Truddi's Stepfather

    The Knife and Gun Club (1990, TV Movie) as Ralph

    Air America (1990) as Truck Driver

    The Less-Than-Perfect Daughter (1991, TV Series) as Col. Deke Grimwald

    For the Very First Time (1991, TV Movie) as Mr. O'Neil

    Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991) as Detective Nelson

    The Man in the Moon (1991) as Will Sanders

    Past Midnight (1992) as Detective Allan Tobias

    Breaking the Silence (1992, TV Movie)

    Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992) as Man at Airport

    Sleepwalkers (1992) as Animal Control Officer

    Passenger 57 (1992) as Chief Leonard Biggs

    Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story (1992, TV Movie) as Maj. Dan Henry

    The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) as Briggs

    My Family (1995) as Sergeant

    The X-Files (1995, TV Series) as Sheriff John Teller

    Malibu Shores (1996, TV Series) as Mr. Morrison

    Renegade (1996, TV Series) as Sheriff

    Mulholland Falls (1996) as Construction Foreman

    Fire Down Below (1997) as Todd

    Senseless (1998) as Coach Brandau

    The Legend of Cryin' Ryan (1998) as Leonard Greene

    Goodbye Lover (1998) as Sheriff

    Wanted (1998) as Sheriff

    Balloon Farm (1999, TV Movie) as Tom Williams

    The Thirteenth Floor (1999) as 30's Cop

    My Little Assassin (1999, TV Movie) as Charlie Baron

    That '70s Show (2000, TV Series) as Ted

    The West Wing (2000-2005, TV Series) as Mr. Loch / Georgia Congressman

    American Pie 2 (2001) as Sergeant

    Crossing Jordan (2002, TV Series) as Sheriff Roper

    The Drew Carey Show (2004, TV Series) as Mike

    The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) as Bridget's Father

    The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005, TV Series) as Maddie's Father (voice)

    The Darwin Awards (2006) as RV Salesman

    Ghost Whisperer (2006, TV Series) as Ranger Neher

    Simon Says (2006) as Pig

    The Art of Travel (2008) as Mr. Layne

    The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008) as Bridget's Father

    The Perfect Game (2009) as Coach Sam Hicks

    Saving Grace (2009-2010, TV Series) as Ham's Dad

    Memphis Beat (2010, TV Series) as Doc Boswell

    Outlaw (2010, TV Series)

    Svetlana (2011, TV Series) as Liam's Dad

    Shadow (2013, Short)

    Waffle Street (2015) as Wright Adams

    Razor (2017) as Ernie

    Looking Glass (2018) as Tommy

    Phobic (2020) as Jack Sanders