Ernie Coombs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ernie Coombs
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Ernest Arthur Coombs
November 26, 1927 Lewiston, Maine, U.S.
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| Died | September 18, 2001 (aged 73) Pickering, Ontario, Canada
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| Resting place | Chamberlain Cemetery, Round Pond, Lincoln County, Maine, US |
| Occupation | Entertainer |
| Spouse(s) | Marlene Coombs |
| Children | 2 |
Ernest "Ernie" Arthur Coombs (November 26, 1927 – September 18, 2001) was a beloved children's entertainer. He was born in the United States but became a Canadian citizen. Ernie Coombs was famous for starring in the Canadian television show Mr. Dressup.
He started his career working with Fred Rogers, who later created Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Ernie came to Canada with Fred Rogers to work on a TV show called Misterogers. When Fred Rogers went back to the U.S., Ernie decided to stay in Canada. He then helped create Butternut Square, which later became the very popular Mr. Dressup. Ernie Coombs became a Canadian citizen and received the Order of Canada for his amazing work.
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Ernie Coombs: From Puppeteer to Star
Ernie Coombs was born in Lewiston, Maine, USA. He wanted to work in children's entertainment. He first worked as an assistant puppeteer for Fred Rogers in Pittsburgh. They became good friends.
In 1962, Fred Rogers was asked to create a TV show for the CBC in Canada. He invited Ernie to join him. This show was an early version of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, called Misterogers.
Staying in Canada
After three years, Fred Rogers moved back to the United States. But Ernie Coombs chose to stay in Canada. His friend Fred Rogers even suggested it to the network. Ernie then joined a new TV series called Butternut Square. This show ran from 1964 to 1967. During this time, Ernie played the character who would become Mr. Dressup. He also performed in a stage show called The Tickle Trunk.
The Magic of Mr. Dressup
After Butternut Square ended, Ernie Coombs created Mr. Dressup. This show became one of Canada's longest-running and most loved children's programs. As Mr. Dressup, Ernie shared arts and crafts, songs, stories, and games with children.
Friends Casey and Finnegan
His main friends on the show were Casey and Finnegan. Casey was a child, and Finnegan was a dog. They lived in a treehouse in Mr. Dressup's backyard. Casey's voice was childlike, so it was hard to tell if Casey was a boy or a girl. Ernie Coombs liked to keep it a mystery. When kids asked, he would say, "What do you think?" No matter their answer, he would say, "You're right!"
Later, the puppeteer for Casey and Finnegan retired. So, other animal puppets joined the show. Ernie Coombs believed in gentle TV shows that helped kids use their imagination. In every episode, Mr. Dressup would pick a costume from his special Tickle Trunk. Then, he would lead children in a fun imagination game. Often, his puppet friends would also wear costumes.
Mr. Dressup's Legacy
The Mr. Dressup show continued until 1996, when Ernie Coombs retired. However, he came back for a special Mr. Dressup's Holiday Special in 1997. Reruns of the show were shown on CBC Television until 2006.
After retiring, Ernie Coombs still worked as an entertainer. He acted in Christmas plays like Peter Pan and Cinderella. He also narrated a cartoon series called Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings. Ernie was also a spokesperson for charities that help children. He even had a traveling stage show called "Tales from the Tickle Trunk." In this show, he shared stories about making Mr. Dressup and what happened to the characters.
Personal Life
Ernie Coombs lived with his family in Pickering, Ontario. His wife, Marlene, ran a day care center called the Butternut Learning Centre. They had two children, Christopher and Catherine. Marlene Coombs passed away in 1992.
Ernie Coombs became a Canadian citizen in 1994. In 1996, he was given the high honor of being named a Member of the Order of Canada.
Death
Ernie Coombs had a stroke on September 10, 2001. He passed away eight days later, on September 18, 2001, at 73 years old.
Awards and Honors
Ernie Coombs received many awards for his contributions to children's television:
- 1989: A Lifetime Achievement Award from the Children's Broadcast Institute.
- 1994: The Earle Grey Award for excellence in Canadian television.
- 1996: Appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada.
- 1996: A Gemini Award for best performance in a children's program.
- 1997: The Save the Children Award for his work with the Canadian Save the Children Foundation.
- 2001: An honorary doctorate degree from Trent University.
- 2007: Inducted into the Town of Milton's Walk of Fame.
- 2019: Awarded a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.
Tributes
Many people have honored Ernie Coombs.
- The Canadian TV show The Latest Buzz named its school Ernie Coombs High.
- On November 26, 2012, Google created a special picture (a Google Doodle) on its homepage to celebrate Ernie Coombs' 85th birthday.
- Musician Chris Whiteley wrote a song called "The Week That Ernie Died" to honor him.
- In 2022, a documentary about Mr. Dressup was announced by Amazon Prime Video. It will use old videos and interviews to show Ernie Coombs' life and how he influenced Canadian entertainment. It is expected to be released in 2023.
