1 of 3 | Left to right, Ernie Hudson, Sonequa Martin-Green and Gloria Reuben star in “Boston Blue.” Photo courtesy of CBS
NEW YORK, May 3 (UPI) — Ghostbusters, Oz and The Crow legend Ernie Hudson says he may be 80, but he still wants to do his own stunts when possible on the Blue Bloods spin-off, Boston Blue.
“I loved when I got the chance to throw a punch in the show. They brought a stunt guy in and I’m like, ‘Why is he here?’ And they said, ‘Because you have to throw the punch.’ I was like: ‘Guys, I think I can do that. I’m not THAT old,'” Hudson told UPI in a recent Zoom interview.
“Throughout my 60 years acting, I’ve always believed that you can’t wait to get ready. You always have to sort of stay ready and stay in some kind of shape,” he said.
“You’ll be on a show and all of a sudden, ‘Well, Ernie, we only want you to run a mile.’ And you go, ‘Oh, God, am I going to be able to do what I’m asked to do?’ So, for that reason, I’ve never allowed myself to really put on a lot of weight or take off a lot of weight. I’ve always tried to be ready. But, definitely, I can throw a punch.”
Hudson plays the Rev. Edwin Peters, the patriarch of a close-knit family of law-enforcement officers and politicians, on the CBS procedural Boston Blue, co-starring Sonequa Martin-Green, Gloria Rueben and Donnie Wahlberg.
“It was fun, coming on the show and being the Grandpa in it and one of my concerns was, I just didn’t want him to be the guy at the dinner table who says a few wise things and disappears,” Hudson said.
One recent episode saw Edwin injured during a drive-by shooting at his church.
“I wanted him to show his involvement in the community,” Hudson explained.
“This episode sort of delivered and gave my character a chance to just reveal his humanity,” he added. “I was excited because we see a glimpse into the family, more than just these perfect people who everything works out for.”
The actor’s real-life grandmother wanted him to be a minister and, although he didn’t make that dream come true for her, he likes to think Edwin is the kind of preacher she would have been proud to have in the family.
“There are times when your faith is put to the test and a lot of people can’t step up,” Hudson said, noting how Edwin’s friend, who had been living a lie for decades, got a chance to trust God and redeem his life, but instead walks away.
“It breaks Rev. Peters’ heart,” Hudson said. “But, this episode just reveals a lot about who he is and also manages to show he’s not just talking the talk, but willing to stand on his faith and what he believes in.”
Hudson said he enjoyed sharing the screen with series regular Rueben and guest star Holly Robinson Peete, who play his daughters.
“I love them both. I’ve known Holly since she was a kid, really, and they’re both so sweet,” Hudson said.
“There’s a moment in the show where they say, ‘Love you, Daddy,’ and they say it together. And it warms my eyes. I have four sons,” he added. “I’m just so honored to work with them and call them ‘my television daughters.'”
The actor will also soon be heard taking over the role of Combat Carl from the late Carl Weathers in the animated movie, Toy Story 5.
“Carl was such a great guy and a good friend. We’ve known each other for a lot of years, 40 or 50 years,” Hudson said.
“But, you know, I got the role and they didn’t tell me that Carl had done the role,” he recalled.
“It wasn’t until after that, fans found out that I was doing the role, that they told me that Carl had originated the role,” he added. “Hopefully, I honored him, but Carl was great and his work was amazing and he left a real legacy behind in his work. I’m just thankful to be a part of that franchise.”
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