Entertainer Ernie Carroll dies, aged 92

Ernie Carroll, the man behind Ossie Ostrich, has died, with Hey Hey It’s Saturday host and dear friend Daryl Somers paying a heartfelt tribute to the “pioneer of television”.

Small-screen legend Ernie Carroll, who created Ossie Ostrich has died 92. Picture: David Caird

Daryl Somers has paid a heartfelt tribute to his mentor and friend Ernie Carroll, who has died aged 92.

Carroll passed away on Wednesday surrounded by family at his Mornington residence.

Coming from a radio background, Carroll started in TV in the late 1950s at Channel 9, where he worked on shows such as The Tarax Show and wrote for Graham Kennedy.

He is best known, however, for creating Oswald Q Ostrich (aka Ossie Ostrich) who became Somer’s sidekick on Cartoon Corner and then Hey Hey It’s Saturday.

In the 1980s the pair set up Somers CarrollProductions which produced Hey Hey It’s Saturday, along with shows and specials including The Best and Worst of Red Faces, Hey Hey By Request, The Plucka Duck Show, The Ossie Ostrich Video Show and The Russell Gilbert Show.

“It is with overwhelming sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved friend and mentor Ernie Carroll,” Somers wrote on the Hey, Hey It’s Saturday Facebook page.

“Ernie was a pioneer of television starting back in the ’50s, coming from a radio background to GTV9 when television was in its infancy.

Ernie with friend and co-star Daryl Somers in 1992.

“It was a voyage of discovery as no one really knew how television worked. It called upon the many talents of all involved. In Ernie’s case he was a cartoonist, camera operator, sponsor liaison officer, producer, writer, on-camera character playing Professor Ratbaggy and, as himself, illustrating and narrating the adventures of Joybelle in the kids shows he also produced out of GTV9 in the ’60s.

“He wrote comedy for the King of variety television, Graham Kennedy, on ‘In Melbourne Tonight’.

“Of course he was best known for his creation of Oswald Q Ostrich (Ossie), my loveable and nonsensically funny ‘sidekick’ on Hey Hey It’s Saturday for 25 of its 30 year run.”

Carroll was acknowledged for his role in the success of Hey Hey during the show’s 50th anniversary special on Channel 7 last year.

Ernie created Ossie Ostrich who became Somer’s sidekick on Hey Hey It’s Saturday.

“I am so grateful for Ernie’s early guidance of my career. He auditioned me for the hosting role on Cartoon Corner back in early 1971,” Somers wrote.

“He was a man of few words with a quiet countenance but when he did speak he imparted great wisdom.

“I loved him very much and, along with my wife Juli, send our deepest sympathies to his daughter Lynne, son Bruce, his grandchildren and his partner of almost 50 years, Miffy Marsh.

“Rest in peace Ern. Forever in my heart.”

Nine’s director of television Michael Healy said Carroll had brought joy and fun to generations of Australians.

“We at Nine are deeply saddened by the passing of Ernie Carroll. Ernie was a pioneer of Australian television,” Healy said.

“As a member of the Nine family for several decades he bought immense laughter and joy to generations of Australians.

“Ernie will be most fondly remembered for his creation of Ossie Ostrich, a character he portrayed on Hey Hey It’s Saturday, alongside Daryl Somers, for 25 years.

“We express our deepest condolences to Ernie’s extended family including Daryl and the Hey Hey family.”

Originally published as Entertainer Ernie Carroll dies, aged 92