Skip to content
MovieCove
Ernie Lively

Ernie Lively

Actor, also producer · Died June 3, 2021, aged 74 · Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Ernie Lively (January 29, 1947 - June 3, 2021) was an American actor, acting coach and producer, best known for his roles in Passenger 57 (1992) and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005). He was the father by adoption of actors Lori Lively, Jason Lively, and Robyn Lively, and the father of actors Eric Lively and Blake Lively.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 29, 1947
Died
June 3, 2021 (aged 74)
From
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
71 on MovieCove · 90 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 34% in 30 days

What are Ernie Lively's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 42nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Mystery2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 4th percentile
: browse their Mystery movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
23%
Bonds
20%
Survival
17%
Self
17%
Ideas
9%
Society
7%
Power
6%
Justice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 18 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 14 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 5 · Charged 8 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 8 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 10 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 8 · Affecting 6 · Heavy 4

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 15 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 4 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 4
Herald
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
12
Warm
6
Melancholic
5
Dread
4
Thrilling
3
Other
15

How their films linger

Bittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet9
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Ernie Lively's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 35 of their 71 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ernie Lively's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

90 credits, 71 with a MovieCove page.

  • Phobic(2020)

    as Jack Sanders

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Looking Glass(2018)

    as Tommy

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Razor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Ernie

  • Waffle Street(2015)

    as Wright Adams

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Perfect Game(2009)

    as Coach Sam Hicks

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2(2008)

    as Franz Vreeland

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Art of Travel(2008)

    as Mr. Layne

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Simon Says(2006)

    Producer · as Pig

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Saving Grace(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ham's Dad

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • The Darwin Awards(2006)

    as RV Salesman

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Ghost Whisperer(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Ranger Neher

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants(2005)

    as Franz Vreeland

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Crossing Jordan(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheriff Roper

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • American Pie 2(2001)

    as Sergeant

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The West Wing(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Georgia Congressman · as Mr. Loch

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Goodbye Lover(1998)

    as Sheriff

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • The Thirteenth Floor(1999)

    as 30's Cop

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Balloon Farm(1999)

    as Tom Williams

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • That '70s Show(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Ted

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Senseless(1998)

    as Coach Brandau

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Sandman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Director

  • Fire Down Below(1997)

    as Todd

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Just Shoot Me!(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • The People Next Door(1996)

    as Lt. Jack Driscoll

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Dark Skies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Arli$$(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Mulholland Falls(1996)

    as Foreman

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • A Stranger to Love(1996)

    as Capt. Simpson

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Malibu Shores (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Legacy of Sin: The William Coit Story(1995)

    as Gerry Boggs

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • JAG(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Joel Yarrow

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • The Drew Carey Show(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Mike

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Accidental Meeting (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Obrenski

  • Diagnosis Murder(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Principal Wallace Morrison

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • The Beverly Hillbillies(1993)

    as Briggs

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheriff John Teller

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Passenger 57(1992)

    as Chief Biggs

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Hangin' with Mr. Cooper(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Freddy

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • Renegade(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Past Midnight(1991)

    as Detective Allan Tobias

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Sleepwalkers(1992)

    as Animal Control Officer

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot(1992)

    as Man at Airport

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Breaking the Silence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Coach Hodgkiss

  • Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story(1992)

    as Maj. Dan Henry

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Dead in the Water(1991)

    as Dignitary

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • The Man in the Moon(1991)

    as Will Sanders

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Commish(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • The Torkelsons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as J.W.

  • Showdown in Little Tokyo(1991)

    as Detective Nelson

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • For the Very First Time(1991)

    as Mr. O'Neil

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The Less Than Perfect Daughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Jack Harmon

  • Air America(1990)

    as Truck Driver

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Knife and Gun Club(1990)

    as Ralph

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 2 episodes · as Paul, Truddi's Stepfather

  • Follow Your Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Mitch

  • Hard to Kill(1990)

    as Commander

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • An Innocent Man(1989)

    as Donatelli's Dealer

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Turner & Hooch(1989)

    as Motel Clerk

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Seinfeld(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Zeke

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Baywatch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Kent

  • Quantum Leap(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Col. Deke Grimwald

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Shocker(1989)

    as Warden

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • The Secret Life of Kathy McCormick(1988)

    as Jeff

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Tracker(1988)

    as Bob

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Buckeye and Blue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Jess Thatcher

  • Scandal in a Small Town(1988)

    as Jeremy Travis

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Into the Homeland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Tom Burnside

  • thirtysomething (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Beauty and the Beast(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Cavanaugh

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Ghost Chase(1987)

    as Production Manager

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Warm Hearts, Cold Feet(1987)

    as Ernie

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Wisdom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Bill, Motel Manager

  • Secret Admirer(1985)

    as Guard

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Badge of the Assassin(1985)

    as US Marshal

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Hal Palmer · as Jake · as Joe Hardin · as Richard 'Rick' Shipley · as SFPD Lt. Martin Kinicki

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Scarecrow and Mrs. King(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Newhart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Eric Hall

  • Remington Steele(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Dallas

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Drop-Out Father(1982)

    as Conductor

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Falcon Crest(1981)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dr. Franklin · as Security Guard

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Magnum, P.I.(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • It's My Turn(1980)

    as Man at Restaurant (as Ernie Brown)

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The Dukes of Hazzard(1979)

    Show 3 episodes · as Clyde, The Guard · as Dobro Doolan · as Longstreet B. Davenport

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • WKRP in Cincinnati(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Rhoda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • ABC Afterschool Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Harmon

  • The Waltons(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Railroad Conductor

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • McCloud(1970)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 89 titles from 1970 to 2020; peak year 1992.

Biggest box office

Passenger 57 (1992)

$44M worldwide

Highest rated

The Man in the Moon (1991)

Midcredits 85th

Most popular right now

Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991)

Film career

19702020

Peak 1992 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting88 of 89: 87 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score48thDirecting1 of 89: 1 only directing, 0 with another roleProducing1 of 89: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s6 · acting1980s28 · acting1990s41 · 40 acting · 1 crew2000s10 · 10 acting · 1 crew2010s3 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 14th · top billed in 0% of 24 roles
809095

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Ernie Lively's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 38th percentile, the median of all 44; across their 18 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 35th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Approval · how many liked their films

31stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Reach · how many have seen their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Midcredits score across 71 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th20
  • 25th to 49th23
  • Below 25th15

Shape of the crowd

29 of their 71 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser24
  • Broadly Agreed8
  • Mixed29

Most divisive · actor

The Knife and Gun Club (1990)

99th percentile spread · 37% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Man in the Moon (1991)

Midcredits 85th · 77% liked

Reviewers score the acting 62/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 37. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Ernie Lively's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 63 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 47 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 61 · intenseMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 34 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 52 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Ernie Lively work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ernie Lively's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Tim Hunter shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers