Ernie Lively, Renowned Actor and Father of Blake Lively, Passes Away at 74

Ernie Lively, the esteemed actor known for his roles in iconic films such as “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “Turner & Hооch,” has sadly passed away at the age of 74. His deаth was confirmed by a representative to Variety.

In the beloved “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” movies released in 2005 and 2008, Lively portrayed the father of the character Bridget, portrayed by his real-life daughter, Blake Lively. His influence extended beyond his family, as his other children — Jason, Eric, Robyn, and Lori — pursued careers in film and television, inspired by their father’s legacy. Lively also played a pivotal role in mentoring young actors in Hollywood during the late ’80s and most of the ’90s, including notable names like Brittany Murphy, Casper Van Dien, and Jason Priestley.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland in January 1947, Lively made his acting debut at the age of 28 with an appearance on “The Waltons.” His career continued to flourish, with memorable roles in popular series such as “The Dukes of Hazzard,” where he portrayed Longstreet B. Davenport, as well as appearances on “Fаme,” “Hill Street Blues,” “Baywatch,” “The X-Files,” “MurԀer She Wrote,” “Seinfeld,” “That ’70s Show,” and “The West Wing.”

In addition to his television work, Lively also made significant contributions to the film industry, appearing in notable movies like “Shocker” (1989), “Air America” (1990), “Showdown in Little Tokyo” (1991), “Passenger 57” (1992), “The Beverly Hillbillies” (1993), “Mulholland Falls” (1996), “American Pie 2” (2001), and “The Perfect Game” (2009). His final film credit was in the 2020 horror film “Phobic,” where he portrayed the character Jack Sanders.

Lively is survived by his wife Elaine, their children, as well as his sister Judith and nine grandchildren. His remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry and his enduring impact on those he mentored will be remembered fondly by colleagues, fans, and loved ones alike.