Ernie Hudson
The 2007 Lake Arrowhead Film Festival’s Award for Excellence in Film Television and Beyond.

While actor Ernie Hudson will always be remembered for his memorable role in the Ghostbusters movies, his varied and distinguished career includes over 100 television and film screen credits and appearances, including his recurring role as “Detective Ridley” on the smash hit Desperate Housewives.  

Mr. Hudson won the Golden Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series for Oz in 1999, and has recently turned to producing.  Other memorable appearances in recent years include Lackawanna Blues, The Ron Clark Story and the popular Miss Congeniality movies.  Hudson is quite proud of the fact that, since the 1960’s, he has supported himself and his family solely as an actor – doing what he loves to do, be it in the theater, on television, or in movies ranging from huge blockbusters to small-budgeted independent films.  Among his upcoming projects is a Western called All Hat that also stars 2006 LAFF honoree Keith Carradine.

Ernie is a former Lake Arrowhead resident who hopes to return here soon.  “My wife and kids love it up here,” he says.  “There’s something about the mountains, it’s so peaceful.  With a sense of community.” 

This year he is bringing two films to the LAFF:  Halfway Decent, which screens Friday afternoon at 3:00 pm , and Everything’s Jake, which screens Saturday night at 9:00 pm .  In order to assist the filmmakers in bringing their work to the screen, Hudson became involved in production aspects of both films.  “I like to do my part,” he says. “And you hope that the work you do gives films like these a chance to be seen.”

With regard to Everything’s Jake, Variety said, “Ernie Hudson delivers a consummately warm and satisfying performance.”  But the truth is, that’s what he’s been doing all of his life.

Mr. Hudson’s award will be presented by three-time Emmy Award winning actor Beau Bridges at Friday night’s Gala Awards Dinner.