People have been taken aback after discovering the age of actor Ernie Hudson, who is currently making the rounds in the media ahead of the release of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, one of the most anticipated films of the year.

Hudson, reprising his role as Winston Zeddemore, is portrayed as a philanthropist guiding the next generation into the paranormal universe, four decades after he gained fame as the fourth member of the iconic Ghostbusters team alongside Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Harold Ramis.

Reflecting on his long association with Ghostbusters, Hudson shared, “It’s been 40 years. Over half my life has been Ghostbusters on some level or other. I’ve been acting close to 60 years and there are some films I’ve made that I hope they never even think about making again.”

Amid the promotion of the new Ghostbusters movie, Hudson has been spotted on red carpets, prompting astonishment from fans who couldn’t believe his actual age. At 78 years old, many remarked that he looks remarkably youthful, with some suggesting he appears half his age.

One social media user exclaimed, “Seventy f**king Eight??” Another commented, “I thought he looks 45!” while a third marveled, “This man had found the fountain of youth… he looks good for his age!”

Although widely recognised for his role in Ghostbusters, Hudson has also been involved in numerous other projects, including The Crow and Miss Congeniality. Reflecting on his career, he remarked, “Most things come and go… It doesn’t give you special status. I haven’t been so successful, like some friends who can barely walk down the street or made so much money that they can’t count it. I’m still a working guy.”

Despite his return to the Ghostbusters universe, Hudson’s journey with the franchise hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Speaking on The Howard Stern Wrap Up Show, Hudson discussed the challenges he faced with Columbia Pictures, the studio behind Ghostbusters, noting, “The studio wasn’t, and the studio continued not to be… It made it very, very difficult because I was a part of it but then I very selectively was pushed aside.”