Born Ernest Duane Robinson in a small, unassuming town in southern Kansas, his family embarked on a journey to central Oklahoma, setting the stage for the unfolding of his remarkable life story. Attending Moore High School, Ernest honed his skills, working part-time at an aircraft manufacturing plant, where he applied his design expertise to contribute to the production process. This experience, though valuable, ultimately led him to relocate to central Florida, where he secured a position in the defense industry, utilizing his design prowess to make a meaningful impact.
As Ernest delved deeper into his professional life, he discovered a passion for racing, which led him to secure a part-time job at the local drag strip. It was here that he caught the attention of renowned producer Ron Howard, who would later utilize the track as a filming location for the 1989 movie Parenthood. Ernest's natural affinity for portraying a track official, as well as his ability to lend a hand with his stepson, Ryan, who served as a crew-member for a racers, made him an ideal candidate for the role. Moreover, he was entrusted with the task of painting the track's emergency vehicle, a feat he accomplished within a remarkable two days, utilizing his garage as his makeshift workshop.
As the years passed, Ernest and his wife made the decision to return to Oklahoma, seeking to be closer to their loved ones. In this new chapter of his life, Ernest ventured into television, hosting a local show called "What's Your Hobby?" and serving as cameraman for a popular cable cooking program, "Let's Eat." With his design career now behind him, Ernest seized the opportunity to participate as an extra in the movie Stillwater, and subsequently took up his camera to capture the still images for the film. The icing on the cake was when his son, Donnie, joined him on set, portraying a newspaper reporter. Ernest's enthusiasm for meeting and interacting with the diverse group of individuals on a movie set has remained unwavering.
