Ernie Anderson

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Ernie Anderson (November 12 1923 – February 6 1997) was an American television and radio personality, voice announcer, actor and the father of film director Paul Thomas Anderson.

Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, Anderson became known as a television personality on a local Cleveland, Ohio TV show on Ernie's Place, where he collaborated with Tim Conway.

As the hipster character Ghoulardi, Anderson later hosted Shock Theater at WJW-TV in Cleveland, from 1963 through 1966. Shock Theater featured grade-“B” science fiction and horror movies. Shock Theater was aired in a Friday late-night time slot, but at the peak of Ghoulardi's popularity, Anderson also hosted the Saturday afternoon Masterpiece Theater, and the weekday children's program Laurel, Ghoulardi and Hardy.

In 1966, Anderson left Cleveland, and moved to Los Angeles, California, where he was heard throughout the United States as the voice of the American Broadcasting Company and various television stations across the country: "Eyewitness News...starts...NOW!". Ernie was the announcer of America's Funniest Home Videos from 1989-1997; during the Bob Saget era.

Anderson died of cancer in Los Angeles on February 6, 1997, aged 73. His son, director Paul Thomas Anderson, dedicated his 1997 film Boogie Nights to his memory. Similarly, a 1997 episode of The Drew Carey Show was also dedicated to his memory.