Until his supporting role as a sweet-natured, mentally disabled handyman in the surprise hit thriller, "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" (1992), Ernie Hudson was best known as the black phantom-fighter in "Ghostbusters" (1984) and "Ghostbusters II" (1989). He made his feature debut in Gordon Parks' acclaimed biopic "Leadbelly" (1976) and, in the years that followed, quietly built a name for himself with appearances on stage, on TV and in features. Hudson has guest-starred on numerous series ranging from "Little House on the Prairie" to "Diff'rent Strokes" to "One Day at a Time" to "Grace Under
Began stage work as resident playwright with Concept East, a Detroit-based African American theater company
While attending Wayne State University, established the Actors' Ensemble Theatre where he and other black writers directed and appeared in their own works
Awarded a full scholarship to the Yale School of Drama
Left Yale to appear in the L.A. Production of Lonnie Elder's musical, "Daddy Goodness"
1976
Feature film debut (listed as 'Earnest L. Hudson' in credits) as Archie in Gordon Park's feature, "Leadbelly"
