Ernie Hudson

Ernie Hudson

Earnest Lee Hudson (born December 17, 1945) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Winston Zeddemore in the Ghostbusters franchise. Hudson has also acted in the films Leviathan (1989), The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992), The Crow (1994), Airheads (1994), The Basketball Diaries (1995), Congo (1995), Miss Congeniality (2000), and The Ron Clark Story (2006). His most prominent role on television was Warden Leo Glynn on HBO's Oz (1997–2003). Hudson has also appeared in the television shows St. Elsewhere (1984), The Last Precinct (1986), 10-8: Officers on Duty (2003–2004), Desperate Housewives (2006–2007), The Secret Life of the American Teenager (2008–2013), Law & Order (2009–2010), the voice of Agent Bill Fowler in Transformers: Prime (2010–2013), Franklin & Bash (2012–2014), Grace and Frankie (2015–2020), and L.A.'s Finest (2019–2020). From 2022 to 2024, Hudson appeared as Herbert "Magic" Williams on the NBC drama Quantum Leap. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ernie Hudson, licensed under CC-BY-SA, is a full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

More details

Known For

Filmography

2026

Toy Story 5
Toy Story 5
as Combat Carl (voice)
Movie - Released: 6/17/2026

2024

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
as Winston Zeddemore
Movie - Released: 3/20/2024
Angry Birds Mystery Island
Angry Birds Mystery Island
as Marlon (voice)
TV - Released: 5/21/2024

2023

Prisoner's Daughter
Prisoner's Daughter
as Hank
Movie - Released: 6/30/2023
The Retirement Plan
The Retirement Plan
as Joseph
Movie - Released: 8/24/2023
Champions
Champions
as Coach Phil Peretti
Movie - Released: 3/9/2023

2022

In Search of Tomorrow
In Search of Tomorrow
as Self - Interviewee
Movie - Released: 2/19/2022
Quantum Leap
Quantum Leap
as Herbert 'Magic' Williams
TV - Released: 9/19/2022
Sherri
Sherri
as Self - Guest
TV - Released: 9/12/2022
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Jennifer Hudson Show
as Self
TV - Released: 9/12/2022

2021

Beebo Saves Christmas
Beebo Saves Christmas
as Santa Claus (voice)
Movie - Released: 12/1/2021
Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Ghostbusters: Afterlife
as Winston Zeddemore
Movie - Released: 11/18/2021
Redemption Day
Redemption Day
as Ed Paxton
Movie - Released: 1/8/2021
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
as Grini Millegi (voice)
TV - Released: 5/4/2021

2020

Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters
Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters
as Self
Movie - Released: 1/7/2020
Home Movie: The Princess Bride
Home Movie: The Princess Bride
as Prince Humperdinck
TV - Released: 6/29/2020
Reunited Apart
Reunited Apart
as Self
TV - Released: 4/27/2020

2019

Adventure Force 5
Adventure Force 5
Movie - Released: 12/19/2019
Infinity Train
Infinity Train
as Atticus (voice)
TV - Released: 8/5/2019
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
as Self
TV - Released: 9/9/2019
City on a Hill
City on a Hill
as Franklin Ward
TV - Released: 6/16/2019
The Movies That Made Us
The Movies That Made Us
as Winston Zeddemore (archive footage)
TV - Released: 11/29/2019
L.A.'s Finest
L.A.'s Finest
as Joseph Vaughn
TV - Released: 5/13/2019
The Masked Singer
The Masked Singer
as Self
TV - Released: 1/2/2019

2018

Nappily Ever After
Nappily Ever After
as Richard Jones
Movie - Released: 9/21/2018
High & Outside: A Baseball Noir
High & Outside: A Baseball Noir
as Sanzone
Movie - Released: 2/28/2018
Carl Weber's The Family Business
Carl Weber's The Family Business
as L.C. Duncan
TV - Released: 11/13/2018

2017

APB
APB
as Ned Conrad
TV - Released: 2/6/2017

2016

The Man in the Silo
The Man in the Silo
as Marcus Wells
Movie - Released: 1/9/2016
God's Not Dead 2
God's Not Dead 2
as Judge Stennis
Movie - Released: 4/1/2016
Batman: Bad Blood
Batman: Bad Blood
as Lucius Fox (voice)
Movie - Released: 1/19/2016
Spaceman
Spaceman
as Joe
Movie - Released: 8/19/2016
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters
as Uncle Bill
Movie - Released: 7/14/2016
Ghostheads
Ghostheads
as Self
Movie - Released: 4/23/2016
Infinity Train
Infinity Train
as Atticus (voice)
Movie - Released: 11/2/2016
Heaven Sent
Heaven Sent
as Donatello
Movie - Released: 12/3/2016
MacGyver
MacGyver
as Milton Bozer
TV - Released: 9/23/2016
DC's Legends of Tomorrow
DC's Legends of Tomorrow
as Santa Claus (voice)
TV - Released: 1/21/2016
Graves
Graves
as Jacob Mann
TV - Released: 10/16/2016
Lethal Weapon
Lethal Weapon
as Hank Peterson
TV - Released: 9/21/2016
Angie Tribeca
Angie Tribeca
as Pete Tribeca
TV - Released: 1/17/2016

2015

Gallows Road
Gallows Road
as Bob Collins
Movie - Released: 4/22/2015
Ballers
Ballers
as Mr. Hagerty
TV - Released: 6/21/2015
Grace and Frankie
Grace and Frankie
as Jacob
TV - Released: 5/8/2015

2014

You're Not You
You're Not You
as John
Movie - Released: 10/10/2014
Showing Up
Showing Up
as Self
Movie - Released: 2/25/2014
To Hell and Back
To Hell and Back
as Joe
Movie - Released: 4/4/2014
The Grim Sleeper
The Grim Sleeper
as Detective Gerry Claymar
Movie - Released: 3/15/2014
Touched
Touched
as Dr. Beck
Movie - Released: 10/4/2014
Merry Ex-Mas
Merry Ex-Mas
as Pastor Ed
Movie - Released: 12/5/2014
The Last Song
The Last Song
as Guest
Movie - Released: 1/1/2014
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Late Night with Seth Meyers
as Self
TV - Released: 2/25/2014
Scorpion
Scorpion
as Brooks
TV - Released: 9/22/2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
as Self
TV - Released: 2/17/2014

2013

Doonby
Doonby
as Leroy Jackson
Movie - Released: 11/1/2013
Battledogs
Battledogs
as Max Stevens
Movie - Released: 4/5/2013
Call Me Crazy: A Five Film
Call Me Crazy: A Five Film
as Percy
Movie - Released: 4/20/2013
Dear Secret Santa
Dear Secret Santa
as Pastor Avery
Movie - Released: 11/30/2013
Turning Point
Turning Point
as Joe Johnson
Movie - Released: 5/24/2013
Ironside
Ironside
as Bludso
TV - Released: 10/2/2013
The Last Leg
The Last Leg
as Self
TV - Released: 1/25/2013

2012

Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3
Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3
as Pedro (voice)
Movie - Released: 9/3/2012
Deer Crossing
Deer Crossing
as Captain Bailey
Movie - Released: 9/25/2012
Ambush at Dark Canyon
Ambush at Dark Canyon
as Cyrus Parker
Movie - Released: 10/24/2012
The Adventures of Mickey Matson and the Copperhead Conspiracy
The Adventures of Mickey Matson and the Copperhead Conspiracy
as Ivan Stumpwater
Movie - Released: 5/10/2012
Beautiful People
Beautiful People
as Jack
Movie - Released: 5/1/2012
Comic Book Men
Comic Book Men
as Self
TV - Released: 2/12/2012
Scandal
Scandal
as Commander Randolph Boles
TV - Released: 4/5/2012
Arrow
Arrow
as Roy Stewart
TV - Released: 10/10/2012
Guys with Kids
Guys with Kids
as The Judge
TV - Released: 9/12/2012
Key & Peele
Key & Peele
as Dad
TV - Released: 1/31/2012

2011

Deep Blue Breath
Deep Blue Breath
as Lord Vater (voice)
Movie - Released: 4/30/2011
Game of Death
Game of Death
as Clarence
Movie - Released: 3/31/2011
Underground Entertainment: The Movie
Underground Entertainment: The Movie
as Ernie
Movie - Released: 6/6/2011
Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2
Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2
as Pedro
Movie - Released: 2/1/2011
Once Upon a Time
Once Upon a Time
as King Poseidon
TV - Released: 10/23/2011
Franklin & Bash
Franklin & Bash
as Judge Lawrence Perry
TV - Released: 6/1/2011
Hart of Dixie
Hart of Dixie
as Ernie Hayes
TV - Released: 9/26/2011

2010

Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball
Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball
as Anthony Vejar
Movie - Released: 1/19/2010
Stasis
Stasis
as Stranger
Movie - Released: 9/8/2010
Machete Joe
Machete Joe
as Sheriff Taylor
Movie - Released: 1/29/2010
Transformers: Prime
Transformers: Prime
as Agent William Fowler (voice)
TV - Released: 11/26/2010
Rizzoli & Isles
Rizzoli & Isles
as Admiral Frost
TV - Released: 7/12/2010
Blue Bloods
Blue Bloods
as Darryl Ward
TV - Released: 9/24/2010
Hot in Cleveland
Hot in Cleveland
as Ernie Hudson
TV - Released: 6/16/2010

2009

Dragonball Evolution
Dragonball Evolution
as Master Mutaito
Movie - Released: 3/12/2009
Pastor Brown
Pastor Brown
as Deacon Harold Todd
Movie - Released: 6/26/2009
Fatal Secrets
Fatal Secrets
as Detective Carter
Movie - Released: 1/3/2009
Lonely Street
Lonely Street
as Captain Morgan
Movie - Released: 1/1/2009
Meteor
Meteor
as Gen. Brasser
TV - Released: 7/12/2009
White Collar
White Collar
as Mr. Jeffries
TV - Released: 10/23/2009
Modern Family
Modern Family
as Miles
TV - Released: 9/23/2009
Celebrity Ghost Stories
Celebrity Ghost Stories
as Self
TV - Released: 10/3/2009

2008

Final Approach
Final Approach
as Agent Lorenzo Dawson
Movie - Released: 5/24/2008
Childrens Hospital
Childrens Hospital
as Hubert McGraw
TV - Released: 12/8/2008

2007

All Hat
All Hat
as Jackson Jones
Movie - Released: 9/11/2007
Nobel Son
Nobel Son
as Sgt. Bill Canega
Movie - Released: 4/28/2007
Private Practice
Private Practice
as Captain Frank
TV - Released: 9/26/2007

2006

The Ron Clark Story
The Ron Clark Story
as Principal Turner
Movie - Released: 8/13/2006
Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror
Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror
as Roscoe
Movie - Released: 6/27/2006
Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School
Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School
as Blake Rische
Movie - Released: 1/12/2006
Psych
Psych
as William Guster
TV - Released: 7/7/2006
Heroes
Heroes
as Captain Lubbock
TV - Released: 9/25/2006
Torchwood
Torchwood
as Stuart Owens
TV - Released: 10/22/2006

2005

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
as Harry McDonald
Movie - Released: 3/11/2005
Confessions of an Action Star
Confessions of an Action Star
as Self / Commander
Movie - Released: 1/23/2005
Fighting the Odds: The Marilyn Gambrell Story
Fighting the Odds: The Marilyn Gambrell Story
as Perry Beasley
Movie - Released: 8/22/2005
Lackawanna Blues
Lackawanna Blues
as Dick Barrymore
Movie - Released: 2/12/2005
Movie
Halfway Decent
as Tom
Movie - Released: 10/20/2005
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother
as Ernie Hudson
TV - Released: 9/19/2005
Bones
Bones
as David Barron
TV - Released: 9/13/2005
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
as Brad McDougall
TV - Released: 3/27/2005
Robot Chicken
Robot Chicken
as Detective Ernie / Judge Hudson Jr. / Justin's Dad (voice)
TV - Released: 2/20/2005
Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds
as Lt. Al Garner
TV - Released: 9/22/2005

2004

Clifford's Really Big Movie
Clifford's Really Big Movie
as P.T. (voice)
Movie - Released: 2/20/2004
Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives
as Detective Ridley
TV - Released: 10/3/2004

2003

Anne B. Real
Anne B. Real
as Principal
Movie - Released: 1/1/2003
Cold Case
Cold Case
as Moses Jones
TV - Released: 9/28/2003
10-8: Officers on Duty
10-8: Officers on Duty
as Senior Deputy John Henry Barnes
TV - Released: 9/28/2003
Las Vegas
Las Vegas
as Bob Casey
TV - Released: 9/22/2003

2002

Everwood
Everwood
as Bill Hoover
TV - Released: 9/16/2002
Without a Trace
Without a Trace
as Manny Aybar
TV - Released: 9/26/2002

2001

A Town Without Christmas
A Town Without Christmas
as Ted
Movie - Released: 12/16/2001
Walking Shadow
Walking Shadow
as Hawk
Movie - Released: 8/26/2001
Crossing Jordan
Crossing Jordan
as Colonel Wirth
TV - Released: 9/24/2001

2000

Miss Congeniality
Miss Congeniality
as Harry McDonald
Movie - Released: 12/22/2000
The Watcher
The Watcher
as FBI Special Agent in Charge Mike Ibby
Movie - Released: 9/8/2000
Everything's Jake
Everything's Jake
as Jake
Movie - Released: 9/25/2000
Paper Bullets
Paper Bullets
as Detective Ron Mills
Movie - Released: 10/23/2000
Red Letters
Red Letters
as Detective Glen Teal
Movie - Released: 6/9/2000
Nowhere to Land
Nowhere to Land
as Danny Gorlin
Movie - Released: 3/12/2000

1999

Stealth Fighter
Stealth Fighter
as President Westwood
Movie - Released: 1/1/1999
Shark Attack
Shark Attack
as Lawrence Rhodes
Movie - Released: 11/9/1999
Michael Jordan: An American Hero
Michael Jordan: An American Hero
Movie - Released: 4/18/1999
Interceptors
Interceptors
as Major
Movie - Released: 9/11/1999
A Stranger in the Kingdom
A Stranger in the Kingdom
as Rev. Walter Andrews
Movie - Released: 11/23/1999
Hijack
Hijack
as Senator Douglas Wilson
Movie - Released: 8/31/1999

1998

October 22
October 22
as Arthur
Movie - Released: 11/4/1998
Best of the Best 4: Without Warning
Best of the Best 4: Without Warning
as Detective Gresko
Movie - Released: 10/10/1998
Butter
Butter
as Curtis '8-Ball' Harris
Movie - Released: 10/13/1998
The Crow: Stairway to Heaven
The Crow: Stairway to Heaven
as Albrecht
TV - Released: 9/25/1998

1997

Fakin' Da Funk
Fakin' Da Funk
as Joe Lee
Movie - Released: 7/20/1997
Clover
Clover
as Gaten Hill
Movie - Released: 9/10/1997
Levitation
Levitation
as Downbeat
Movie - Released: 4/1/1997
Operation Delta Force
Operation Delta Force
as Major Tipton
Movie - Released: 1/1/1997
Mr. Magoo
Mr. Magoo
as Agent CIA Gus Anders
Movie - Released: 12/25/1997
The View
The View
as Self
TV - Released: 8/11/1997
Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1
as Pernaux
TV - Released: 7/27/1997
Oz
Oz
as Leo Glynn
TV - Released: 7/12/1997

1996

Tornado!
Tornado!
as Dr. Joe Branson
Movie - Released: 5/6/1996
For Which He Stands
For Which He Stands
as DEA Agent Baxter
Movie - Released: 5/17/1996
The Substitute
The Substitute
as Claude Rolle
Movie - Released: 4/19/1996
The Cherokee Kid
The Cherokee Kid
as Nat Love aka Deadwood Dick
Movie - Released: 12/14/1996
Just Your Luck
Just Your Luck
as Willie
Movie - Released: 11/29/1996
Superman: The Animated Series
Superman: The Animated Series
as Professor Felix (voice)
TV - Released: 9/6/1996

1995

Congo
Congo
as Captain Munro Kelly
Movie - Released: 6/9/1995
The Basketball Diaries
The Basketball Diaries
as Reggie
Movie - Released: 4/21/1995

1994

The Crow
The Crow
as Albrecht
Movie - Released: 5/11/1994
Airheads
Airheads
as Sergeant O'Malley
Movie - Released: 8/5/1994
Speechless
Speechless
as Ventura
Movie - Released: 12/16/1994
Sugar Hill
Sugar Hill
as Lolly Jonas
Movie - Released: 2/25/1994
The Cowboy Way
The Cowboy Way
as Officer Sam 'Mad Dog' Shaw
Movie - Released: 6/3/1994
No Escape
No Escape
as Hawkins
Movie - Released: 4/29/1994
ER
ER
as Colonel James Gallant
TV - Released: 9/19/1994
Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel
as Norm McCloud
TV - Released: 9/21/1994

1993

Wild Palms
Wild Palms
as Tommy Lazlo
TV - Released: 5/16/1993

1992

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
as Solomon
Movie - Released: 1/10/1992
The Ben Stiller Show
The Ben Stiller Show
TV - Released: 9/27/1992
Batman: The Animated Series
Batman: The Animated Series
as Security Guard (voice)
TV - Released: 9/5/1992

1990

Law & Order
Law & Order
as Frank Gibson
TV - Released: 9/13/1990
Broken Badges
Broken Badges
as Toby Baker
TV - Released: 11/24/1990
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks
as Colonel Davis
TV - Released: 4/8/1990

1989

Ghostbusters II
Ghostbusters II
as Winston Zeddemore
Movie - Released: 6/16/1989
Leviathan
Leviathan
as Justin Jones
Movie - Released: 3/17/1989
Collision Course
Collision Course
as Shortcut
Movie - Released: 4/27/1989
Trapper County War
Trapper County War
as Jefferson Carter
Movie - Released: 1/1/1989
Tales from the Crypt
Tales from the Crypt
as Zambini
TV - Released: 6/10/1989
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
TV - Released: 9/4/1989

1988

The Wrong Guys
The Wrong Guys
as Dawson
Movie - Released: 5/13/1988
The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission
The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission
as Joe Hamilton
Movie - Released: 11/10/1988

1987

Weeds
Weeds
as Bagdad
Movie - Released: 10/16/1987
Full House
Full House
as Reggie "The Sandman" Martin
TV - Released: 9/22/1987

1986

The Last Precinct
The Last Precinct
as Night Train
Movie - Released: 1/26/1986
The Last Precinct
The Last Precinct
as Sergeant Lane
TV - Released: 4/11/1986

1985

Love on the Run
Love on the Run
as Lamar
Movie - Released: 10/21/1985
California Girls
California Girls
as Ernie
Movie - Released: 3/24/1985
The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians
The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians
as Cyborg / Victor Stone (voice)
TV - Released: 9/11/1985
The Insiders
The Insiders
as Brewster
TV - Released: 9/25/1985

1984

Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters
as Winston Zeddemore
Movie - Released: 6/8/1984
Joy of Sex
Joy of Sex
as Mr. Porter
Movie - Released: 8/3/1984

1983

Going Berserk
Going Berserk
as Muhammed Jerome Willy
Movie - Released: 9/30/1983
Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone
Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone
as Washington
Movie - Released: 5/20/1983
Two of a Kind
Two of a Kind
as Det. Skaggs
Movie - Released: 12/13/1983
Women of San Quentin
Women of San Quentin
as Charles Wilson
Movie - Released: 10/23/1983
The A-Team
The A-Team
as Cal Freeman
TV - Released: 1/23/1983
Webster
Webster
TV - Released: 9/16/1983

1982

Penitentiary II
Penitentiary II
as Half Dead
Movie - Released: 4/2/1982
St. Elsewhere
St. Elsewhere
TV - Released: 10/26/1982
The New Odd Couple
The New Odd Couple
as Moses Brown
TV - Released: 10/29/1982

1981

Underground Aces
Underground Aces
as African General
Movie - Released: 1/2/1981
Crazy Times
Crazy Times
as Harold 'Jazzman' Malloy
Movie - Released: 4/10/1981
A Matter of Life and Death
A Matter of Life and Death
as Mr. Harrison
Movie - Released: 1/13/1981
Flamingo Road
Flamingo Road
TV - Released: 1/6/1981

1980

The Octagon
The Octagon
as Quinine
Movie - Released: 8/14/1980
White Mama
White Mama
as Counsellor
Movie - Released: 3/5/1980
The $5.20 an Hour Dream
The $5.20 an Hour Dream
as Homer Burden
Movie - Released: 1/26/1980
Skag
Skag
Movie - Released: 1/6/1980
The Jazz Singer
The Jazz Singer
as Heckler
Movie - Released: 12/17/1980
Bosom Buddies
Bosom Buddies
TV - Released: 11/27/1980

1979

Joni
Joni
as Earl
Movie - Released: 6/1/1979
The Main Event
The Main Event
as Killer
Movie - Released: 6/22/1979
TV
Highcliffe Manor
as Smythe
TV - Released: 4/12/1979
Detective School
Detective School
TV - Released: 7/31/1979

1978

Movie
Last of the Good Guys
as El Coliph
Movie - Released: 3/7/1978
Diff'rent Strokes
Diff'rent Strokes
TV - Released: 11/3/1978
The White Shadow
The White Shadow
as Johnson
TV - Released: 11/27/1978
Taxi
Taxi
as Terry Carver
TV - Released: 9/12/1978
Fantasy Island
Fantasy Island
as Jamu
TV - Released: 1/28/1978

1977

Mad Bull
Mad Bull
as Black Bart
Movie - Released: 12/21/1977
The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk
as Lee
TV - Released: 11/4/1977

1976

The Human Tornado
The Human Tornado
as Bo
Movie - Released: 10/2/1976
Leadbelly
Leadbelly
as Archie (as Earnest L. Hudson)
Movie - Released: 5/28/1976

1974

Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie
TV - Released: 9/11/1974

1973

Super Friends
Super Friends
as Cyborg (voice)
TV - Released: 9/8/1973

Unknown

Oswald: Down The Rabbit Hole
Oswald: Down The Rabbit Hole
as Oswald Jebediah Coleman
Movie
Movie
Meteor
as Gen. Brasser
Movie
Mr. Beebee
Mr. Beebee
as Wayne Proctor
Movie
Movie
Famous
Famous
Movie
Movie
TV
Beautiful People
as Jack
TV