Australian entertainment pioneer Ernie Carroll, best known as the puppeteer behind Hey Hey It's Saturday character Ossie Ostrich, has died aged 92.

"It is with overwhelming sadness I announce the passing of my beloved friend and mentor Ernie Carroll," Hey Hey It's Saturday host Daryl Somers wrote on social media.

Mr Carroll died of natural causes on Wednesday morning at his retirement home in Victoria, surrounded by family.

"Ernie was a pioneer of television starting back in the `50s, coming from a radio background to GTV9 when television was in its infancy," Mr Somers wrote.

"It was a voyage of discovery as no-one really knew how television worked. It called upon the many talents of all involved."

Ernie Carroll's character, Ossie Ostrich, was a regular on Hey Hey It's Saturday alongside Bert Newton and Daryl Somers.

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.

Mr Somers wrote: "Of course, he was best known for his creation of Oswald Q Ostrich (Ossie), my lovable and nonsensically funny 'sidekick' on Hey Hey It's Saturday for 25 of its 30-year run.

"I am so grateful for Ernie's early guidance of my career.

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

"Rest in peace Ern, forever in my heart."

Mr Carroll is survived by his partner Miffy Marsh, his children Lynne and Bruce, and his grandchildren.

Were you a Hey Hey fan? Did you love the wit of Ossie Ostrich?