Ernest `` Ernie '' Coombs , CM ( November 26 , 1927 -- September 18 , 2001 ) who was most famous for being the host of the popular Canadian television TV show called Mr. Dressup . Ernest `` Ernie '' Arthur Coombs , CM ( November 26 , 1927-September 18 , 2001 ) was a children 's entertainer , best known for the long-running Canadian television series Mr. Dressup .