Ernest A. Coombs was born November 26, 1927 in Lewiston, Maine to Kenneth and Irma Coombs.
After a stint in the army, stationed in the Philipines as a weatherman, he pursued a career in Art and Design. Many summers were spent in his beloved 1932 Auburn convertible, touring the states as a member of different summer stock theatre companies. A gifted artist, Ernie painted beautiful scenery and provided carpentry and electrical services to many productions.
Ernie eventually settled in Pittsburgh where he found work as an assistant puppeteer to Fred Rogers at WQED. He created puppets for Mr. Rogers Neighbourhood including Lady Elaine Fairchild. It was in Pittsburgh, where he met Marlene Hodgkiss. They were married in 1961 and collaborated throughout their lives together, in arts and business projects; eventually moving to Pickering, Ontario to raise their children Cathie and Chris.
In 1963, when CBC was creating a Children’s Department, Coombs followed Rogers to Toronto to assist in development of programming. Eventually, Rogers returned to Pittsburgh, but suggested CBC build a show around Ernie’s varied creative abilities. Butternut Square was created and ran for 3 years before Ernie came up with the idea of Mr. Dressup. Along with Butternut Square alumni Casey and Finnegan, created and brought to life by Judith Lawrence, Ernie began the journey of becoming one of Canada’s most beloved, cherished iconic figures.
Many years later, Casey and Finnegan retired to the West coast; Coombs was joined by a team of talented puppeteer and a cast of wonderful puppet characters. The children of Canada embarked on a new creative adventure full of song and imagination.
In 1992, Ernie’s wife Marlene was tragically killed in a traffic accident. Despite this devastating loss, Ernie continued in his role as Mr. Dressup, embraced by his Canadian family, cementing his place in Canadian cultural heritage.
Ernie Coombs retired in 1996 and, the show maintained its place in Canadian homes until 2006. Following retirement Ernie kept busy spending time travelling with his family, playing golf, and tinkering with three classic cars which he kept in varying states of restoration. He kept busy professionally appearing in Christmas Pantomimes in Toronto, as well as proving voice work on a new Canadian series “Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings”.
Ernie became the Canadian spokesperson for the Save the Children Canada; a responsibility he took very seriously.
Never far from his adoring fans, Ernie toured universities in Canada regaling students with “Tales from the Tickle Trunk”. Ostensibly, meant to be insight to the media industry but, more often than not, an opportunity for young people to pose with and hug a beloved man representative of the peaceful magic of innocent childhood.
In 1994, Ernest A. Coombs became a Canadian citizen. Adopted by the country who has made him their own, Coombs was lauded over the years, presented with many awards including an Actra Award, Children’s Broadcast Lifetime Achievement Award, a Gemini, The Earl Grey Award for excellence in Canadian programming and in 1996, bestowed the prestigious Member of the Order of Canada. He went on to be honoured by Save the Children, for years of service to them, and in 2001, received an honourary Doctorate of laws by Trent University.
In September 2001, aged 73, Ernie sadly suffered a major stroke. He passed away on September 18th 2001, surrounded by his family and best friends.
