At 80 years old, Ernie Hudson looks ready to haul his proton pack up the stairs to battle the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man once again. The Ghostbusters legend and longtime actor shared his fitness routine on TODAY on January 26, revealing how he stays active and strong in his ninth decade.
Hudson, who also starred in Boston Blue and Angry Birds, told TODAY that his day begins with pushups and continues with several sets spread throughout the day. “When I get up, I like to do a set of pushups first thing and throughout the day,” he said. “By the end of the day, I should have at least 100 pushups.”
For Hudson, the 100 pushups aren’t done in a single grueling session. He spreads them across three separate periods, keeping the routine manageable whether at home or traveling for work. “When you say 100 pushups, we’re not talking about a manner of minutes. You’re not talking about an hour. It doesn’t take an hour,” he said.
In addition to pushups, Hudson incorporates squats “just to get the blood flowing in the legs” and planks into his regimen. He emphasizes flexibility and functional fitness over lifting heavy weights. “I just think at this age it’s more important to just be flexible to be able to present well, and to do the work that I do, it’s required,” he explained. “I was working with a good friend who was on a walker, and I thought, ‘You know what, I want to avoid that as long as I can.’ Aging is inevitable, but in the meantime let me do what I can do.”
The actor also highlights the mental benefits of sticking to a routine. “I think the discipline that we put on ourselves reminds us that we’re capable,” he said. “When we set goals and we don’t hit them, it kind of diminishes something in us, so just being consistent is really important.”
Hudson also credits inspiration from TODAY’s Al Roker, who celebrates 30 years on the show this week. “This is one of the reasons I wanted to be here to be part of this celebration to say thank you,” Hudson said. “You have been an inspiration of mine for many, many, many years. When we have our down moments, I look and I see you on TV, your books, and the things that I’m trying to do, and I think, ‘If Al can do it, I can do it too.’ I really just appreciate you.”
Even in his 80s, Hudson proves that consistency, simplicity, and mindset can keep you fit, flexible, and ready for whatever challenges—fictional or real—come your way.
