Elaine Lively
wife
Written and reviewed by Emma Carter Updated August 24, 2026 Fact checked August 24, 2026





Real name
Ernest Wilson Brown Jr.
Occupation
actor, coach
Birth Date
January 29, 1947
Death date
June 3, 2021 (74 years)
Zodiac Sign
Aquarius
Birthplace
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Nationality
American
Father's Name
Ernest W. Brown Sr.
Mother's Name
Beatrice Gray Walton
Is Ernie Lively a gay/bisexual?
No
What is Ernie Lively marital status?
Died June 3, 2021; married to Elaine Lively; five children
Who is Ernie Lively wife?
Elaine Lively (widow)
When did get married?
December 12, 1979 – June 3, 2021
How many children does he have?
5 children (Eric, Blake, Lori, Robyn and Jason Lively)
Ernie Lively married talent manager Elaine Lively in 1979. They had two children together, actors Eric and Blake Lively. Ernie also adopted Elaine’s three children from her previous marriage: Lori, Robyn and Jason Lively.
All five children worked in entertainment. Ernie remained married to Elaine until his death from cardiac complications on June 3, 2021.
Ernie married talent manager Elaine Lively on December 12, 1979. They had two children, Eric and Blake, and Ernie adopted Elaine’s older children Lori, Robyn and Jason. Elaine and all five children were with him near the end of his life.
Eric and Blake are Ernie and Elaine Lively’s biological children, and both became actors.
Ernie adopted Elaine’s three children from her previous marriage. Lori, Robyn and Jason also pursued acting careers.
Ernie Lively was an American actor and acting coach born Ernest Wilson Brown Jr. on January 29, 1947, in Baltimore. His screen career included “Turner & Hooch,” “Passenger 57,” “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “The X-Files” and “The West Wing.”
He appeared with daughter Blake Lively in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and helped train members of his family as actors. Ernie died in Los Angeles on June 3, 2021, at age 74. He was survived by wife Elaine, five children and grandchildren.