Ernie Lively, Father Of Blake Lively And 'Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants' Actor, Dead at 74
Actor Ernie Lively — Blake Lively's father — has died at the age of 74.
He passed away from cardiac complications in Los Angeles, Calif, on Thursday, June 3, his rep confirmed to PEOPLE.
He famously played Blake's father in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and the 2008 sequel during his five-decade career.
Ernie was well-known for his appearances in The Dukes of Hazzard, Turner & Hooch, Falcon Crest, Malibu Shores, The X-Files, The West Wing, That '70s Show, and Murder, She Wrote.
He also appeared in films including Mulholland Falls, The Beverly Hillbillies, Passenger 57, The Man in the Moon, Showdown in Little Tokyo, Air America and Shocker.
His career dated back to The Waltons in 1975. Before entering showbiz, Ernie was an English professor. He was also a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps after serving in the Vietnam War, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Ernie married Elaine Lively in 1979 and the pair welcomed two children together, Blake and Eric Lively. He also adopted Elaine's three children from a previous marriage; Lori, Robyn and Jason.
Ernie reportedly suffered a heart attack in 2003. In November 2013, he was treated with stem-cell therapy as part of an experimental retrograde gene procedure. He was said to be the first known patient to be given the heart treatment, which involved injecting his own stem cells into his heart to repair damage to muscle and arteries.
"I woke up the other morning and told my wife, 'I haven't felt this good in years,'" he told PEOPLE at the time. "I moved to Utah because of the snow, but I haven't been able to ski. I literally didn't have the heart to do it. Now, I'm excited about living the rest of my life instead of sitting around."
"My buddy, fellow actor, fellow Marine Vietnam vet Ernie Lively has died at 74. I hadn’t seen much of him since he moved away from LA, but I treasure all my memories of working and hanging out with him. Welcome home, Marine," Supernatural actor Jim Beaver shared in a tribute to his friend.
Ernie is survived by his wife, children, nine grandchildren and his sister, Judith.
