What was Ernie Livelys cause of death?
ERNIE Lively, dad of Hollywood star Blake Lively, has died at the age of 74. The Passenger 57 and The Dukes of Hazzard actor died of cardiac complications in Los Angeles on June 2. Born Ernest Brown Jr. in Baltimore, Ernie was an English professor and served as a lieutenant in Vietnam before entering a career in acting. The US actor began his career starring in the 1975 CBS series The Waltons and shot to prominance as Lake Lucille Police Department head Chief Biggs in Passenger 57. Ernie frequently graced the silver screen, featuring in Turner & Hooch, Falcon Crest, Malibu Shores, The X-Files, The West Wing, That '70s Show, and Murder, She Wrote. He also appeared in big Hollywood productons such as Mulholland Falls, The Beverly Hillbillies, The Man in the Moon, Showdown in Little Tokyo, Air America and Shocker. Described as "an everyman" actor, Ernie went on coach a number of young artists throughout his career and became a resptected performer and mentor. He received more than 100 credits durnig his 45-year career. The acting icon died of cardiac complications. He was surrounded by his family. Ernie is survived by his wife of 42 years, Elaine, children Jason, Lani, Robyn, Eric and Blake, and nine grandchilren. 4 Ernie starred alongside his daughter Blake in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants I and II Credit: Getty Images - Getty  The star underwent major heart surgery in Utah in 2013 after discovering he had a partially-functioning heart. He became the first known patient to undergo retrograde gene therapy for the heart. This groundbreaking procedure included injecting a patient's own stem cells into the heart to repair damaged muscle and arteries. "I woke up the other morning and told my wife, 'I haven't felt this good in years,'" Ernie told PEOPLE after the procedure. "I moved to Utah because of the snow, but I haven't been able to ski. I literally didn't have the heart to do it. Now, I'm excited about living the rest of my life instead of sitting around." Elaine and Ernie married on December 12, 1979 and had two children together, Eric and Blake Lively, who also act. Elaine is an actress is known for her role in Return to Zork. She is also a talent manager. 4 Elaine (left) and Ernie were married for 42 years and had two children together Credit: Rex  She had three children from her first marriage to Ronnie Lively (no connection to Ernie) and is the mother-in-law to Canadian star Ryan Reynolds. Ernie changed his name when he married Elaine. Ernie and Elaine had two children: son Eric, who was born in 1981 and daughter Blake, who was born six years later. While he is the biological parent of Blake and Eric, Ernie adopted Elaines children Lori, Robyn and Jason from the talent managers previous marriage. Teen Mom Briana DeJesus claims Ashley Jones' house on show is 'FAKE'  Jason starred in National Lampoon's European Vacation, while Eric had a role in American Pie and The Butterfly Effect 2. Robyn starred in the movie Teen Witch and TV series Twin Peaks, while Lori featured in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Without doubt, his most famous child is Blake, who played in Gossip Girl, New York, I Love You, and as Carol Ferris in superhero film the Green Lantern. Ernie starred as Blakes characters father in both The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and its sequel The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.