GHOSTBUSTERS actor Ernie Hudson reveals details about his character Winston Zeddemore’s backstory

Actor Ernie HudsonThe character of Winston Zeddemore has been around since the first one ghost Buster 1984 film.

We were introduced to Winston when he walked into the iconic Ghostbusters firehouse in New York looking for work. He was interviewed by Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts) and then immediately offered a position by Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd). The rest is history, but we never knew much about Winston before he was hired by the Ghostbusters team.

In a recent interview with CinemaBlend, Hudson shed some light on his character’s backstory, explaining, “Well, when we first made the original movie, there was a whole section of Winston who had been in the ‘Air Force, it had been [a] demolition expert.

“He came in and part of his whole presentation was sharing that story [, which] it never made it to the film. But Winston, you know, I think he was more than qualified for the job of ghostbusters. And, but, you know, sometimes, certainly in the African American community, you might be qualified, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to get the job. So at that point in Winston’s life, he’s just looking for a steady paycheck, as he says so well in the film.

He went on to talk about where the character is now and how happy he is with the progress he’s made: “But what was important to me, and fortunately, Sony and [director/producer] Jason Reitmann he felt the same way, that it was important for him, 40 years later, not to still be looking for a job.

“It was important to me that it was an example of what’s possible, I think Beyond, said that I want to be an example of what is possible. … He was able to, you know, have a family. He has a family that we’re not introduced to in this movie, and he was, you know, socially responsible and responsible to his community for not forgetting where he was. [came] from.

“And I think a big part of what ghost Buster it’s that part of them that still appreciates the fact that these guys were there for him when he really needed them. When he got to that [firehouse]he really needed a job and couldn’t believe whatever those crazy people were doing.

“But he has become a believer and I think he feels a certain loyalty and dedication to them. I think he’s still paying Ray’s rent. But he is just one of those people.

These days, the veteran Ghostbuster is now the head of Zeddemore Industries, a global enterprise he started after retiring from the ghostbusting business.

The end of Beyond saw Winston purchase the old firehouse as part of his effort to re-establish the group’s namesake. And from Frozen empirefounded the Paranormal Research Center.

It goes without saying that he is no longer a man looking for work but, as Ernie Hudson further explained, there is one aspect of the character that has not changed: “What I really appreciated, for me, is the fact that he was successful and still retained his humanity. Why [there are] many examples.

“You know, the guy who was ruthless, he’s tough, he does these horrible things – whether on the street or in the boardroom – that go against humanity. And I love that Winston is hopefully an example of what’s possible and continuing to hold onto what’s important, and your humanity, your community.

“And, unfortunately, we haven’t seen much of that in the movies. But, if the franchise moved forward, I’d like to see even more of it. …And I look at my life, I say, ‘You know what? I’ve been very, very lucky.’

“I didn’t have to do or consider some things I heard other people do. … There is a God and there is, at least in my mind, and you know, we can live a good life. That’s what I hope Winston represents about humanity.”

I love the character of Winston Zeddemore and I’m happy that Ernie Hudson is happy with the whole story arc that he got to see him go through.

Winston is a good guy and a badass Ghostbuster, and I can’t wait to see him in another movie if that’s what’s planned for this franchise.