Ernest Gardetto appeared in his first professional show at the age of seventeen: 'Dead We Live', at the Hollywood Assistance League Theatre. He followed that with 'Meet the People' at the El Capitan, and went with that show to New York. There he played on Broadway in Brooklyn U.S.A., before going into the Army Air Corps. As a pilot, he flew B-17s and B-24s over France and Germany, completing 30 bombing missions, one with Colonel James Stewart.



Upon discharge, Ernie attended the Pasadena Playhouse for three years, before returning to New York and Equity roles in 'The Corn is Green', 'Pal Joey', and the lead in 'The Respectful Prostitute'. (Of the former, Brooks Atkinson of the New York Times wrote: "...Ernest Gardetto again performing nobly as the gloomy and intense character that is always in the process of development.")



Turning to television, Ernie appeared in over 200 shows, among them 'The Phil Silvers Show', 'Jackie Gleason', 'Theatre Guild', 'Studio One', 'Hallmark Hall of Fame', 'Philco Playhouse', 'Omnibus', and 'Kraft Playhouse'.



After working in Army Signal Corps training films in Astoria, Queens, he returned to Los Angeles, appearing in TV commercials and as a teacher of English as a Second Language - finally returning to his first love, the warm feeling of live theatre, as a Colony Associate.