Ernest Borgnine, the beloved Oscar-winning star of Marty and The Wild Bunch has passed away at the age of 95.
His manager, Lynda Bensky announced that he died of renal failure at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, with his family at his side. He is survived by his wife, Tova Borgnine and his four children.
Borgnine, (whose real name is Ermes Effron Borgnino) was born on January 24, 1917. He had a much-decorated ten-year career in the Navy, before starting acting in 1947, making his Broadway debut in 1949 with Harvey. However, a move to Hollywood in 1951 saw him snag the integral role of Sergeant “Fatso” Judson in From Here to Eternity (opposite Burt Lancaster and Frank Sinatra). Borgnine’s stocky frame and unconventional looks meant that he was often cast as the ‘heavy,’ in such films as Vera Cruz and The Vikings. However, his greatest success came with his lead role in the touching 1955 drama, Marty. The actor won the Academy Award for Best Actor following his emotional turn in the film, which is widely regarded as a classic.
Grace Kelly & Ernest Borgnine
The 1960s saw Borgnine take the lead in the much-loved sitcom, McHale’s Navy (1962-1966) and its big screen spin-off in 1964. The decade also saw the character actor take roles in a variety of iconic films, such as The Flight of the Phoenix, The Dirty Dozen and The Wild Bunch. Other important films followed, including the 70s disaster epic The Poseidon Adventure, The Black Hole and John Carpenter’s Escape From New York (1981). He became known to a whole new generation of fans in the 1980s for his role in the action series Airwolf, which ran from 1984 to 1986.
Borgnine continued to work in film and television, voicing the character of Mermaid Man in the long-running animated series SpongeBob SquarePants, as well as chalking up guest appearances in a multitude of shows such as Magnum, P.I., The Simpsons and E.R. – where he garnered an Emmy nomination at the age of 92! He was recently seen on the big screen delivering a wonderful cameo in the 2010 Bruce Willis action film, RED.
Borgnine was a gifted performer who lived life to the fullest. He heightened every scene in which he appeared, bringing nuance and subtly to even the smallest of roles. The five times married actor (including brief wedlock to Ethel Merman), was also a frequent guest on the chat show circuit, regaling audiences with numerous anecdotes and jokes. Off-screen, Borgnine received the honorary rating of Chief Petty Officer in 2004, following his tireless support of the US Navy.
Screen Rant offers its condolences to the family and friends of this iconic and gifted actor.
RIP: Ernest Borgnine January 24, 1917 – July 8, 2012.
Source: Yahoo
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As McHale in McHale’s Navy, along with Ensign Parker (Tim Conway), Ernest Borgnine gave a lot of laughs and smiles. Rest in peace.
R.I.P. Ernest
Great actor.
R.I.P Mr. Ernest
Unfortunate but he lived a long life, may we all live to be 95!
He was a lot of fun to watch and showed age is nothing but a number. Living a healthy 95 years is something to wonder at, not many of us will live to be 95. He will be missed.
R.I.P. SIR!
R.I.P Ernest Borgine
Ernest was perfect casting for the roles he played and
that was not an accident as Marty proved he could act.
Often the bad guy but was really one of the good guys.
95 is a big number even by today’s standards
though it did seem he would go on forever
becoming a model for living life positively.
May be the last of his kind of character actor
closing another door on a bygone era and
taking his place among actors to miss.
Ernest Borgnine was one of the best character actors of all time, alongside the likes of Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, and several others. He was also a rememberance of that great Golden Age era, which will never again be repeated.
RIP Ernest, you were legendary in Marty.
A rare breed of actor and, from all I ever saw of him, a gentleman.
He’ll be missed.
R.I.P. Cabbie- you will be missed.
Wow, when I first read the article i thought it said he died of Rectal failure. I was like WTF, how does that happen. then i reread it lol.
I remember his most from Airwolf. That was him right?
By becoming a TV star in between his features work, Ernie Borgnine gave every generation a fictional character to grow up with and enjoy.
The Baby Boomers knew him as ‘Quinton McHale’ (McHALE’s NAVY)
Generation X got ‘Dominic Santini’ (AIRWOLF)
Generation Y knew him as ‘Mermaid Man’ (SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS).
For me personally, he’ll always be ‘Dom’ with Jan-Michael Vincent’s ‘Hawke’ in mid-80s helicopter adventure drama AIRWOLF when it was re-shown during the mid-90s, and of course in the last couple of years with the DVD Box Sets. Listening to the Airwolf Themes Soundtrack right now in lieu and in memory of him right now. He will be sorely missed and my thoughts are with Tova and Ernie’s extended family.
RIP Ernie.
I love Borgnine. My favorite role of his is Dutch Engstrom in “The Wild Bunch.” Of all the characters, his was the only one that had some shades of honor and a moral code.
He was always great to watch. RIP Borgnine. You earned it.
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I guess I’ll have to type it. He was funny and memorable as Mermaid Man.
Even with his advanced age, he was able to pull off great character acting, especially in ER.
We love you and no one mentions Airwolf. You were my hero and you will always be. Be well and I’ll miss you in the physical world.
Rest in peace, sir. Spongebob will not be the same without you. I dread the day that I have to watch an episode with Mermaid Man sounding different.
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