Actor Name: Ernie Hudson

Appearances: Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters 2

In the original Ghostbusters script, Winston is described simply as, “a large, impressive-looking black man.” Played by Ernie Hudson, Winston rounds out the Ghostbusters team. His character doesn’t play a specific part in addition the “heart, head, mouth” trio but is used as support for the other characters. Winston is also used as a sort of bridge to the audience because he’s the last member of the team to be added, and wasn’t a friend of the core three before being hired as a Ghostbuster. Therefore, he plays the role of the outsider who is along for the ride, much the same as the audience.

Allegedly, the role of Winston was originally meant for Eddie Murphy. When Murphy turned down the part, the character's involvement in the film was greatly scaled back. It was Winston who was originally meant to be slimed in the Sedgewick Hotel (not Venkman), and at least two other major scenes featuring Winston were cut from the finished film. One of these scenes, described in the Ghostbusters DVD commentary, was an extended cut of Winston's interview scene with Janine. Had this scene been included, the audience would've learned that Winston holds a doctoral degree, as well as a large number of other qualifications.

Although Winston plays a more significant role in the second film, he was written out of the courtroom scene when the producers decided that only the original three Ghostbusters should take part in the battle.

[Link] [Revise]Quotes

“Ray... When someone asks if you’re a god, you say YES!!!”

"If there's a steady paycheck in it, I'll believe anything you say."

"Tell him about the Twinkie."

"I've seen shit that'll turn you white!"

"I LOVE THIS TOWN!"

"That's one ugly dude..."

[History] [Revise]Winston Zeddemore

[Link] [Revise]Quotes