Facts:   - death place: corona regional medical center corona , california    - caption: genelle as ernie on '' power rangers '' .    - death date: 30 december 2008      - birth date: 12 october 1961    - name: richard genelle    - image: richard genelle.jpg    - birth place: new york city , new york    - occupation: actor/entrepreneur   Based on these bullet points, write a short biography describing the life of richard genelle .
richard michael genelle -lrb- october 12 , 1961 -- december 30 , 2008 -rrb- was an entrepreneur and actor best known for playing ernie on the science fantasy series `` power rangers '' .from 1993 until 1997 , genelle portrayed ernie , the good-natured owner of the angel grove youth center , the most popular hang out spot for the teenagers of angel grove .he often hosted birthday parties , school activities , martial arts tournaments and community charity events .he also gave out free drinks and food as well as helping out his customers if they needed something .after four seasons , ernie abruptly left the youth center to do emergency volunteer work in south america , passing ownership of the youth center to jerome stone .in real life , genelle left the series to take steps to overcome his smoking problems and obesity , successfully losing over forty pounds .he also started retail logistics solutions , inc. in cerritos , california , providing transportation services .genelle died following a heart attack on december 30 , 2008 at age forty-seven .his funeral service was held at pierce brothers crestlawn memorial park in riverside , california .his interment was in that cemetery .