Ernest Harden Jr.

Ernest Harden Jr. is a film and television actor whose career spans more than five decades. Harden began working in film and television in the 1970s, making his first credited film appearance in "Three Days of the Condor." He followed this with a recurring role on the Norman Lear sitcom "The Jeffersons" and a leading role opposite Bette Davis in the TV movie "White Mama," which centered on a poor, elderly woman befriended by a neighborhood kid played by Harden.

Throughout his career, Harden guest-starred in numerous television programs including "Hill Street Blues," "Good Times," "The Bernie Mac Show," "ER," "The Young and the Restless," "The Parkers," "The Robert Guillaume Show," and "Santa Barbara." His film credits include "Sweetwater," "Hollywood Homicide," "Born in East L.A.," and "The Final Terror." His role in the independent film "Velvet Jesus" earned him the HAPA Award for Best Supporting Actor in an independent film.

"The Pitt" marked a significant television role for Harden, spanning 11 episodes over two seasons. His portrayal of Louie Cloverfield, an alcoholic man frequently brought into the emergency room for detox and treatment related to liver damage, generated discussions about end-of-life care and resonated with the show's audience.

Harden received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work on "The Pitt." He accepted the award for the episode "7:00 A.M.," which depicted Louie's final chapter, and dedicated the honor to Bette Davis, who had received an Emmy nomination for "White Mama."