Richard Genelle was an American actor and entrepreneur who played Ernie, the owner of the Angel Grove Youth Center and the frequent hangout of the Power Rangers, in the popular children’s television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and its spin-offs. He was also known for his roles in The Death Merchant and Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie. Genelle died of a heart attack on December 30, 2008, at the age of 47. His death shocked and saddened many fans of the Power Rangers franchise, who remembered him as a kind and cheerful character who supported the heroes in their adventures.
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Who was Richard Genelle?
Richard Michael Genelle was born on October 12, 1961, in New York City. He started his acting career in 1991, when he appeared as a guard in the film The Death Merchant. In 1993, he landed the role of Ernie, the owner of the Angel Grove Youth Center, a juice bar and gym where the Power Rangers and their friends spent most of their time. Ernie was a friendly and generous man who often gave free drinks and snacks to the teens, and sometimes helped them with their problems. He also had a pet pig named Norman, who often caused trouble at the Youth Center.
Genelle played Ernie for four seasons, from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers to Power Rangers Zeo. He also made a brief appearance in Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, where he was seen giving a farewell party to the Power Rangers before they left for a new mission. Genelle’s character was well-liked by the fans, who appreciated his humor and warmth. He was also a mentor figure to some of the Power Rangers, especially to Rocky DeSantos, the second Red Ranger, who worked at the Youth Center as an assistant.
Why did Richard Genelle leave Power Rangers?
Genelle left the Power Rangers series in 1997, after the end of Power Rangers Zeo. His character was written out of the show by having him go to South America to do volunteer work, and passing the ownership of the Youth Center to Jerome Stone, a former detective and rival of the Power Rangers. In real life, Genelle decided to quit the show to focus on his health and personal issues. He was struggling with obesity and smoking, which affected his physical and mental well-being. He successfully lost over 40 pounds after leaving the show, and also started his own business, Retail Logistics Solutions, Inc., a transportation company in Cerritos, California.
Genelle did not return to the Power Rangers franchise after his departure, although he was occasionally mentioned or shown in archive footage. He also did not attend any conventions or reunions with his former co-stars, preferring to stay away from the spotlight. He remained in contact with some of his friends from the show, such as Steve Cardenas, who played Rocky, and Jason Narvy, who played Skull, one of the comic relief characters.
How did Richard Genelle die?
Genelle died of a heart attack on December 30, 2008, at the Corona Regional Medical Center in Corona, California. He was 47 years old. His funeral service was held at the Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Park in Riverside, California, where he was also buried. His death was announced by his former co-star, Jason Narvy, on his blog, where he wrote a tribute to Genelle, calling him “a good friend and a great man”. Narvy also shared some of his memories of working with Genelle on the Power Rangers set, and expressed his condolences to Genelle’s family and friends.
Genelle’s death was mourned by many fans of the Power Rangers franchise, who posted messages of sympathy and appreciation on social media and online forums. Some of them also created fan art and videos to honor Genelle’s legacy. His death also inspired the creation of a new character named Ernie, who appeared in Power Rangers Megaforce and Power Rangers Super Megaforce, as a tribute to Genelle. The new Ernie was the owner of a juice bar and a mentor to the new generation of Power Rangers, similar to Genelle’s character.
What is the legacy of Richard Genelle?
Richard Genelle was a talented and charismatic actor who brought joy and laughter to millions of children and adults who watched the Power Rangers series. He was also a kind and generous person who cared about his friends and colleagues. He left behind a lasting impression on the Power Rangers franchise, and a loyal fan base who still remember him fondly. He will always be remembered as Ernie, the friendly and supportive owner of the Angel Grove Youth Center, and a true friend of the Power Rangers.
