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Ernie Hudson
Actor & Activist
Ernie Hudson
Actor & Activist
Biography
Ernie Hudson is one of the most sought-after actors of our time with an impressive list of credits and awards. His body of work has diverse range, including Ghostbusters 1 and 2 with Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis, TV’s Law and Order, HBO’s award winning series Oz, the acclaimed movie The Crow, Miss Congeniality 1 and 2 starring next to Sandra Bullock, and currently, he is the lead in the movie Carl Weber's The Family Business as L.C. Duncan, soon to be turned into a drama series on BET Networks. He is a beloved star in film, television and stage, long considered one of Hollywood’s iconic working actors who continually delivers.
His road to fame, however, had its share of hardships. In his early years, Hudson was born in poverty and raised in the housing projects of Benton Harbor, Michigan, in a time where civil rights had a long road ahead. The odds were more in favor of Hudson spending a life in prison than his having a successful life in Hollywood. Whether it was reconciling the loss of his mother and the absence of a father, gaining the reputation of being the toughest kid in school, serving in the Marine Corps, attending Yale, raising his sons as a single father or overcoming racism in the entertainment industry, Hudson was always supported first and foremost by his grandmother, who taught him patience and graciousness.
The wisdom Hudson gained before his Hollywood days allows him to relate to struggling individuals and communities. He understands the challenges of overcoming seemingly insurmountable problems and inspires others to always persevere. Hudson is also a two time cancer survivor and is now using his voice to amplify cancer prevention.
Hudson’s persistence has had him working in the film industry for over four decades. With such a resume, he can entertain audiences with stories of his humble beginnings, his Hollywood ups and downs and the lessons he has learned. As a popular inspirational speaker, Ernie shares the secrets of how to get out of the box of limitation and land dream roles, not just on the stage or screen, but roles important to everyday life.
Speaker Videos
The Importance of Family
On Cancer Prevention and Scheduling Screenings | WTVR CBS 6
Wisdom From Grandma and Finding Your Way
on Home and Family
The Impact of Fatherhood/Father Figures
Speaking Highlight Reel
Cherishing the Journey: Faith, Fatherhood, and Family
Do it Anyway
on KTLA Morning News
on the Steve Harvey Show
on NCAAP Image Awards Nominations
Speech Topics
The Value of Fatherhood
What does it mean to be a father and the responsibilities that come with? Having four sons from two very different generations and two marriages, Ernie Hudson knows the trials and tribulations of fatherhood. In this speech, he shares how to heal the wounds of your own father issues and raise a new generation of healthy, loving children.
Grandma’s Hands: Life Lessons from a Matriarch
This presentation by Ernie Hudson reviews the 5 important life lessons he learned from his grandmother. Lessons that can get anyone through life's most difficult and challenging times, Hudson's grandmother was always there for him, even after his mother died when he was three months old and he never knew his father. Both a wise and spiritual person, his grandmother imparted many lifelong lessons and practical advice he carries with him to this day and is now sharing with audiences.
Overcoming Odds & Adversity
How do you push through overwhelming odds and become that "somebody" you have always dreamed of being? Born in poverty and raised in the housing projects of Michigan, the odds were more in favor of Ernie Hudson spending a life in prison than having a glowing career in Hollywood. Whether it was gaining the reputation of being the toughest kid in school or attending Yale, raising his sons as a single father or overcoming racism in the entertainment industry, Hudson has practiced his grandmother's teaching: Never fight against the odds, but stand on faith in the eye of the storm. Hudson explains to audiences how knowing you are bigger than any circumstances can lead to success.
Surviving Hollywood…With A Smile
In this personal presentation, Ernie Hudson shares how he survived Hollywood and lived to laugh about it. Hudson has been working in the film industry for over four decades with big film roles in Ghostbusters, The Crow, Miss Congeniality and many more. Join Hudson as he tells how he got started, his journeys, struggles and the lessons he has learned along the way. Whether it is the field of acting or any other endeavor, he will share with you secrets of how to get out of your box of limitations and land the roles of people’s dreams.
Cancer Awareness
Ernie Hudson is best known for his role in the 1984 cult classic, Ghostbusters; however few fans know him as two-time cancer survivor. Hudson was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1998, and with rectal cancer in 2011. In both cases, screening caught his cancer early, making treatment more effective. He is now cancer-free and wants to spread the word about the importance of early. Hudson has always been a champion of his own health and wellness and is now using his voice to amplify cancer prevention.
Testimonials
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Actress on the Hit TV Show Empire & New York Times Best-Selling Children’s Book Author