Ernest Miller facts for kids

Ernest Clifford Miller (born January 14, 1964) is an American actor and former professional wrestler. He is best known by his ring name, Ernest "The Cat" Miller. He worked for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). As an actor, he is famous for his role in the 2008 movie The Wrestler. He also appeared in the TV show My Cat From Hell in 2011.

Ernest Miller's Career in Wrestling

Starting His Journey

Ernest Miller went to Gordon High School in Decatur, Georgia. He played linebacker on the football team. Later, he studied electrical engineering at Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia. He was also an All-American linebacker there.

Before wrestling, Miller became a top karate competitor. He won the world championship three times! He also won the ISKA kickboxing championship once.

He got into professional wrestling when Eric Bischoff, a WCW executive, asked him to join. Miller was teaching Bischoff's son karate at the time.

Time in World Championship Wrestling (1997–2001)

Early Matches and Character (1997–1999)

Ernest Miller first appeared in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) on February 12, 1997. He had three matches that night. He won two of them. He later teamed up with Glacier. They fought against Mortis and Wrath.

After a while, Glacier turned against Miller. Ernest then became a villain, which means he played a bad guy. His manager was Sonny Onoo. This is when Miller became very popular.

As a villain, Miller acted very proud and confident. He called himself "The Greatest," like Muhammad Ali. He often said he could beat anyone in two minutes, and he often did with his strong kicks. He also started wearing special ruby slippers in the ring. After winning, he would dance like James Brown. He even had a "dance-off" with James Brown himself! Miller also made a funny karate video, like a TV ad. He and Sonny Onoo often did funny acts together, like characters from the movie Rush Hour.

Miller had some rivalries during this time. He fought Kaz Hayashi and Perry Saturn. He also challenged fans and other wrestlers. He even cut off Jerry Flynn's ponytail to show disrespect. Miller won some big matches, including one against Horace Hogan using a special steel-tipped red dancing shoe.

In 1999, Miller had a dance contest with Disco Inferno. Miller won, thanks to Sonny Onoo. Later, Miller fought Buff Bagwell, who made fun of Miller by copying his look. Miller lost this match when Onoo accidentally hit him. After this, Miller and Onoo stopped working together.

Becoming WCW Commissioner (2000–2001)

After a period of losing matches, Ernest Miller became WCW Commissioner in 2000. This meant he was in charge of making matches and rules. He wanted to make the shows exciting for fans.

As commissioner, he had a storyline where the Jung Dragons tried to attack him, but he usually fought them off. In July 2000, Miller said that Scott Steiner's finishing move, the Steiner Recliner, was too dangerous. He even took away Steiner's title.

Miller then fought The Great Muta. Miller won with help from his ally, Tygress. After this, fans started cheering for Miller more, and he became a fan favorite (a good guy).

He then had a rivalry with Mike Sanders, who wanted to be the new commissioner. Miller challenged Sanders to a kickboxing match. Miller was winning, but Sanders's partner, Shane Douglas, interfered. Miller lost the commissioner role.

Angry, Miller chased Douglas for months. He got Miss Jones as his valet to help him. Miller beat Douglas at Mayhem using his loaded red shoe.

Miller then fought Lance Storm, the leader of Team Canada. Miss Jones accidentally hit the referee, which led to Miller losing. Team Canada then attacked Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and Miller saved him.

Miller wanted to be commissioner again. He challenged Sanders, who brought in KroniK to stop him. It turned out Miller had secretly hired KroniK! They turned on Sanders, and Miller won back his commissioner spot at Sin.

Miller's time as commissioner was short again. Lance Storm, with Ric Flair's help, took the job. But Miller won it back at SuperBrawl Revenge with Miss Jones's help.

Miller then had a big rivalry with Chris Kanyon. Kanyon attacked Miss Jones, sending her to the hospital. Miller even gave up his commissioner role to fight Kanyon. They had a street fight in Jones's hospital room! Kanyon also attacked Miller's limo driver, M.I. Smooth. At Greed, Miller beat Kanyon. The rivalry ended when Vince McMahon bought WCW in March 2001.

Miller had two years left on his WCW contract. He decided to stay home and take care of his children. He also wrestled in some other shows before joining WWE.

Time in World Wrestling Entertainment (2002–2004)

Ernest "The Cat" Miller joined World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in late 2002. He first worked as an announcer for Velocity. Then, he became an active wrestler on the SmackDown show.

Miller appeared in the 2004 Royal Rumble match. He danced with his manager Lamont while other wrestlers were down. But when they got up, Chris Benoit and Randy Orton quickly threw him out. His famous saying, "somebody call my momma," became popular in WWE too.

He later competed in another match to earn a shot at the WWE Championship. Again, he was thrown out while dancing to his theme song. He then had a short rivalry with Tajiri. Miller was released from WWE on February 10, 2004.

Years later, in 2012, Miller's old theme song and "somebody call my momma" phrase were used by another wrestler, Brodus Clay. Miller said he wasn't happy about it because he felt he could have done more in WWE.

Later Wrestling Appearances (2006, 2015–Present)

After leaving WWE, Miller wrestled a tag team match in 2006. He came out of retirement in 2015 at WrestleCade. He continued to wrestle on the independent circuit.

In 2018, Miller teamed up with his old WCW partner Glacier and 79-year-old Bob Armstrong. They won a six-man tag match. In 2019, Miller teamed with Glacier, Haku, and Luther Biggs in another winning match. He stopped wrestling for a while due to COVID-19.

Miller returned to wrestling in 2022 at 58 years old. He lost a match to Joey Janela. In 2023, Miller appeared on Impact! to help Santino Marella set up a match.

Ernest Miller's Acting Career

Ernest Miller had an important role in the movie The Wrestler. He played The Ayatollah, a rival of the main character, Randy "The Ram" Robinson. He also played Earnie Shavers in the 2008 TV series The Legend of Bruce Lee. In 2009, he appeared in the film Blood and Bone. Miller also announced in 2009 that he was cast as George Foreman in a movie, but it has not been made yet.

Achievements and Awards

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • Ranked No. 479 out of the 500 best singles wrestlers in 2003.
• Martial Arts
  • 3-time Karate World Champion

See also

In Spanish: Ernest Miller para niños