Ernie Hudson Explains Why He Wore a T-Shirt on Ghostbusters Red Carpet: 'I Was Actually a Little Embarrassed'

Ernie Hudson is sharing the story behind his ensemble during a photo call in London last month for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

The actor, 78, rocked just jeans and a fitted black T-shirt during the event, putting his biceps on display and causing fans (both old and new!) to take notice.

In an interview with Men's Health published Monday, April 15, Hudson explained, "I was actually a little embarrassed with the T-shirt, but my jacket had a smudge on it. I wasn't flexing or anything; I didn't really think about it." (Hudson previously quipped to PEOPLE in an interview about his red carpet appearance that he's "usually in a suit or a sport coat" for press events.)

"But it's nice to be noticed," he continued to Men's Health. "It's flattering in a lot of ways. But when the age thing comes up, it's like, 'Oh, we're surprised you're still alive!' It would be nice if they said I was sexy and then say I'm 78."

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Hudson told the outlet that his body didn't really change until the last five to 10 years.

"When I turned 50, people said, 'Your body's going to change,' " he said. "Nothing changed. Sixties, nothing changed. Seventies ... there was a change."

And his fit physique doesn't come easily now, especially as he gets older. Joked Hudson, "Fasting didn't get rid of Mr. Jiggles. He just hung in there, you know, and he talks to you at night. He whispers, 'We need to eat something.' "

"And suddenly, I'm feeding Mr. Jiggles. So a couple of years ago, I thought, I need to get to the gym," he added.

Part of his fitness routine includes working with a personal trainer. "And on the days I don't work out, I try to get in at least a half-hour walk at a nice pace, get the heart rate up over 110 BPM," Hudson said. "That seems to be most effective for Mr. Jiggles!"

Hudson recently talked to PEOPLE about the attention he has received for his physique — something that came as a surprise, because he said he has looked relatively the same for most of his adult life.

“I've always been in what I consider fairly good shape,” said the father of four. “But normally, when I do those press conferences, I'm usually in a suit or a sport coat.”

The Michigan native never worked out regularly until recently. “I've always tried to be healthy,” said Hudson. “My career hasn't been about focusing on my physicality. The most important thing for me is just to try to maintain your health, just common-sense stuff.”

Hudson told PEOPLE that he and his wife of nearly 40 years, Linda Kingsberg, try to hit at least 10,000 steps a day — which is not too difficult since they have a dog. And he also credits looking good to his mental health.

“I've always looked at physicality more from a spiritual perspective than a physical,” said the two-time cancer survivor. “The spiritual thing dictates the physical more than the other way around. So when I'm in a good space, I'm aware of just how I'm living my life, the other things fall in place.”