George Ernest was a child actor who made a name for himself in the film industry, appearing in over 60 movies from 1929 to 1942. Born George Ruud Hjorth in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Ernest's father was Danish and his mother Norwegian. The family relocated to California when Ernest was just two years old, and his father operated a restaurant in Hollywood.
At the tender age of 10, Ernest began his acting career, landing early roles in short films for the comedy series created by Hal Roach, known as The Little Rascals and later as Our Gang. Among his notable early performances were a few of the short films in this popular series.
Ernest was one of the fortunate few child actors whose careers continued to thrive throughout their teenage years. He went on to star in a family comedy series by 20th Century Fox, playing the role of Roger, the son of the Jones family. However, as he entered adulthood, three significant events would alter the course of his career and life.
As film roles became increasingly scarce, Ernest developed an interest in camera work and began studying and following camera crews. Then, World War II broke out, and one of his last film roles was in the 1940 war film "Four Sons," which told the story of a Czech family whose four sons took different paths after Germany invaded Czechoslovakia in 1939.
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States' entry into WW II, Ernest enlisted in the Army, becoming a combat photographer with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). He worked under the direction of renowned Hollywood director John Ford, capturing footage of American forces fighting in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. Ernest also parachuted behind enemy lines in France and Germany to take photographs, including a few days before the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day.
Ernest moved through the French underground and hid along the German front, taking photos of American forces during the Italian campaign. On June 6, 1944, he captured the historic moment of the American landings at Omaha Beach.
After the war, Ernest transitioned to the business world and later became an executive with the McDonnell Douglas aviation company. He passed away on June 25, 2009, at the age of 87 in Whittier, California.
