Ernie (MMPR)

Ernie, played by the late Richard Genelle, was a supporting character from the show's early days through Power Rangers Zeo. He was the owner of the Angel Grove Youth Center, the most popular hang out spot for teens in the area. Ernie was around to lend a helping hand or advice to various characters and was often annoyed by Bulk and Skull's antics in the show's first season. He was also a fan of the Power Rangers.

Ernie was extremely popular with the Youth of Angel Grove hosting parties, school activities, special events and community charity events. He also showed tremedous trust to the Youth Centre Regulars often leaving teens in charge whilst he ran errands. Ernie is especially known for his hospitality, serving a variety of drinks and foods raging from sandwhiches to ice cream avaliable for dine in or takeaway. Ernie opened an outdoor cafe and a Hawaiian themed beach cafe in season three and Power Rangers Zeo, respectively. They only appeared in these seasons.

Ernie departed the show to do volunteer work in South America between the Turbo movie and series, leaving the Youth Center to Jerome Stone. Jerome Stone's actual quote about Ernie's leaving, "Well, his foreign service unit recalled him and he had to suddenly leave. I don't know, something about building a bridge in the Amazon."

Originally, it was to be revealed that Ernie knew of the Rangers' secret identities all along, but this plan was scrapped for unknown reasons.

Trivia

 * According to Ernie himself in the episode "Football Season", he played fullback on his college football team.
 * The producers told David Fielding that this character was meant to be Zordon watching over the Rangers from the Juice Bar but the idea was scrapped becasue they wanted to Ernie to be an overweight character instead.