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
