Auditioned to reprise his Winston Zeddemore role from Ghostbusters (1984) for the animated series adaptation, The Real Ghostbusters (1986), but was declined in favor of Arsenio Hall.

He also attended the University of Minnesota.

Graduated from Wayne State University.

Father of actor Ernie Hudson Jr.. Father and son have appeared together in the HBO series "Oz".

Trained for the stage at the Yale University School of Drama.

Has been a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in the San Bernardino County (California) Sheriff's office for 14 years (as of 2003)

He was also involved with the U.S. Marine Corps.