Ernie Hudson (born December 17, 1945) is an American film and television actor whose distinguished career spans over five decades, marked by memorable performances in genre classics, dramatic television, comedy, and voice work. He first achieved widespread recognition for his breakout role as Winston Zeddemore in the original Ghostbusters (1984), a role he would reprise in Ghostbusters II (1989), Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024), helping to anchor one of the most beloved franchises in pop culture history.

Hudson’s early career included impactful work in both film and television, with notable roles in The Crow (1994), Congo (1995), and the FBI comedy Miss Congeniality (2000), as well as portraying Warden Glynn on HBO’s groundbreaking prison drama Oz — a performance that earned him the 1999 Golden Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series.

A versatile character actor, Hudson has appeared extensively on television in such shows as Law & Order, Desperate Housewives, Grace and Frankie, Quantum Leap, L.A.’s Finest, The Family Business, and Twin Peaks: The Return. He earned critical recognition with nominations including an NAACP Image Award for Grace and Frankie and a Saturn Award nomination for Quantum Leap (2024).

In animation and voice work, Hudson’s distinctive presence has continued to expand his range — including performances in Angry Birds: Mystery Island and, notably, taking over the voice role of Combat Carl in Toy Story 5 (2026), succeeding the late Carl Weathers.

As he approached his 80th birthday, Hudson remained active in both film and television. He was cast as Reverend Peters on the CBS Blue Bloods spinoff Boston Blue (2025-26), depicting a patriarch in a law-enforcement family, and he continued to take on feature roles — including in the indie drama Hal (2026).

Known for his professionalism, breadth of roles, and enduring connection with audiences across generations, Ernie Hudson’s body of work reflects both depth and diversity — from genre defining blockbusters to compelling character turns across screens big and small.