Entertainment

Oscar-Winner Ernest Borgnine Passes at 95: Watch a Compilation of His Best Moments Here

Oscar Winner Ernest Borgnines Dies at 95 | Watch a Compilation of His Best Moments

(Photo: AP)

(The Blaze/AP) — Ernest Borgnine, the beefy screen star known for blustery, often villainous roles, but who won the best-actor Oscar for playing against type as a lovesick butcher in “Marty” in 1955, died Sunday. He was 95.

His longtime spokesman, Harry Flynn, told The Associated Press that Borgnine died of renal failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with his wife and children at his side.

Borgnine, who endeared himself to a generation of Baby Boomers with the 1960s TV comedy “McHale’s Navy,” first attracted notice in the early 1950s in villain roles, notably as the vicious Fatso Judson, who beat Frank Sinatra to death in “From Here to Eternity.”

Then came “Marty,” a low-budget film based on a Paddy Chayefsky television play that starred Rod Steiger. Borgnine played a 34-year-old who fears he is so unattractive he will never find romance. Then, at a dance, he meets a girl with the same fear.

“Sooner or later, there comes a point in a man‘s life when he’s gotta face some facts,” Marty movingly tells his mother at one point in the film. “And one fact I gotta face is that, whatever it is that women like, I ain’t got it. I chased after enough girls in my life. I-I went to enough dances. I got hurt enough. I don’t wanna get hurt no more.”

The realism of Chayefsky‘s prose and Delbert Mann’s sensitive direction astonished audiences accustomed to happy Hollywood formulas. Borgnine won the Oscar and awards from the Cannes Film Festival, New York Critics and National Board of Review.

Watch the clip from Borgnine’s “Lifetime Achievement Award,” with photos from his childhood and clips from his most memorable films:

“The Oscar made me a star, and I’m grateful,” Borgnine told an interviewer in 1966. “But I feel had I not won the Oscar I wouldn’t have gotten into the messes I did in my personal life.”

Those messes included four failed marriages, including one in 1964 to singer Ethel Merman that lasted less than six weeks.

But Borgnine’s fifth marriage, in 1973 to Norwegian-born Tova Traesnaes, endured and brought with it an interesting business partnership. She manufactured and sold her own beauty products under the name of Tova and used her husband’s rejuvenated face in her ads.

During a 2007 interview with the AP, Borgnine expressed delight that their union had reached 34 years. “That’s longer than the total of my four other marriages,” he commented, laughing heartily.

From 1962 to 1966, Borgnine – a Navy vet himself – starred in “McHale’s Navy” as the commander of a World War II PT boat with a crew of misfits and malcontents. Obviously patterned after Phil Silvers’ popular Sgt. Bilko, McHale was a con artist forever tricking his superior, Capt. Binghamton, played by the late Joe Flynn.

The cast took the show to the big screen in 1964 with a “McHale’s Navy” movie.

Oscar Winner Ernest Borgnines Dies at 95 | Watch a Compilation of His Best Moments

Ernest Borgnine and Grace Kelly with his 1956 Oscar for best actor in "Marty." (AP Photo)

Borgnine’s later films included “Ice Station Zebra,“ ”The Adventurers,“ ”Willard,“ ”The Poseidon Adventure,“ ”The Greatest” (as Muhammad Ali’s manager), “Convoy,“ ”Ravagers,“ ”Escape from New York,“ ”Moving Target“ and ”Mistress.”

More recently, Borgnine had a recurring role as the apartment house doorman-cum-chef in the NBC sitcom “The Single Guy.“ He had a small role in the unsuccessful 1997 movie version of ”McHale’s Navy.“ And he was the voice of Mermaid Man on ”SpongeBob SquarePants“ and Carface on ”All Dogs Go to Heaven 2.”

“I don’t care whether a role is 10 minutes long or two hours,” he remarked in 1973. “And I don’t care whether my name is up there on top, either. Matter of fact, I’d rather have someone else get top billing; then if the picture bombs, he gets the blame, not me.”

Ermes Efron Borgnino was born in Hamden, Conn., on Jan. 24, 1917, the son of Italian immigrant parents. The family lived in Milan when the boy was 2 to 7, then returned to Connecticut, where he attended school in New Haven.  He joined the Navy in 1935 and served on a destroyer during World War II, weighing 135 pounds when he enlisted and 235 pounds when he left a decade later.

“I wouldn’t trade those 10 years for anything,” he said in 1956. “The Navy taught me a lot of things. It molded me as a man, and I made a lot of wonderful friends.”

According to the Associated Press Borgnine worked until the end of his life, and lived by a singular motto.

“I keep telling myself, `Damn it, you gotta go to work,’” he said in 2007. “But there aren’t many people who want to put Borgnine to work these days.  They keep asking, `Is he still alive?’”

Comments (67)

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  • Carlinpa
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:57pm

    Man this guy had great vitality at 94! Amazing!

    Report Post »  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 1:19am

      A lot of class, Sad some in Hollywood can’t follow suit…..
      RIP Mr. Borgnine, Gods Speed and Bless your Family..
      Really enjoyed you in all your different roles.. Hated your
      Guts in “From Here to Eternity” Joined the Marines a
      couple years after the movie came out.. God Bless !!

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
    • historyguy48
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:18am

      I had the privledge of meeting him once. He is what he appears to be, a very nice human being.

      Report Post » historyguy48  
    • 100 Million Patriots Standing
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 9:11am

      Thank you Ernest!

      It was a good ride, and my life is better for it. People that leave from my life’s journey remind me to appreciate a breath, a sunrise, or a child’s laughter. We are all here temporarily and the degree of our life’s of honor, integrity and generosity is how we will be remembered. Not by what we take from others but what we give.

      Report Post » 100 Million Patriots Standing  
    • Unix
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 9:37am

      Earnie was a class act! Too bad all the class has left Hollyweird now! With each passing of the old guard, the weird in holly gets louder! The golden age is long gone and forgotten, but I tip my hat to those that are still left from that age, and there are precious few now! What is left, are communists who think they are better than anyone else, who support the ideology of the left to a flaw, so sad to see. I know things will never change back because the dolts who act nowadays do it for the fame, and money, not the art. They are irrelevant in my eyes, as they push their gay rights, and the communist manifesto…they are the true useful idiots on the stage today!

      Report Post » Unix  
    • Dr Vel
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 9:39am

      I watched Him from the 50′s and on in to the 21st century, an amazing span of a career for anyone. In 2001 we talked for an hour on everything from computers and radios to things that went on behind the scenes when He was working on the Posiden Adventure. He was a down to earth very real person with incredible presence of mind, staying current on all of the technology of the day. He was quite simply the kindest, sharpest, most real person I have ever met and I loved His work in film and on television. We have lost one of our best citizens and He will be missed.

      Report Post »  
  • paperpushermj
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:56pm

    I’ve had on a few occasions the pleasure to speak with him, we have the same Barber. He set the bar for what is a Man.
    Pleasure to have meet him.

    Report Post » paperpushermj  
    • kcsparky
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 1:21am

      You were truely very fortunate. He was a great actor and a fine gentleman who will be greatly missed by those of us who enjoyed watching him on TV and in movies. RIP Skip!!

      Report Post » kcsparky  
  • TEXASGRANNY73
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:45pm

    An American icon. He and Andy Griffeth in one week bring tears for those who were around through out their careers. At least to mine. And the picture of Grace Kelly before she was a queen–so pretty. Hope to see them again someday. Thanks for all the memories.

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on July 8, 2012 at 11:36pm

      Yup… B Movies will never be the same!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • Encourage3
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:36pm

    I liked him best in the TV series Airwolf where he played Dominic Santini.

    Report Post »  
    • pudssweetie
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:55am

      I loved the show Airwolf, but I remember Ernest the most from Mchales Navy. Rest in Peace Ernest Borgnine, you will be greatly missed.

      Report Post »  
  • lylejk
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:33pm

    My first memory of him was from Airwolf (child of the 70s) but I‘ve sinc watched McHale’s Navy as well as they myriad of movies that he starred in. Very big lost. At 95, he definitely lived a long and what appears to be a fulfilled life. Caught his interview with Bill O’ last year (he said he was 93 at the time as I recall). Anyway, Ahoy, and God speed to you to your next life Ernest. :)

    Report Post » lylejk  
  • marthasusan40
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:31pm

    May he be welcomed in Haven with loving arms and may God grant his family and friends with comfort. He was a real American and a gentleman…..he will be missed.

    Report Post »  
  • OlefromMN
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:31pm

    95 is not a bad run. May he R.I.P.

    Report Post » OlefromMN  
  • Dancing_In_The_Ruins
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:28pm

    He won my heart in his role of Dominic Santini in Airwolf……he will be missed.

    Report Post »  
  • eaglescout1998
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:28pm

    I suppose he’s now flying with the angels in the big black helicopter in the sky.

    That’s an “Airwolf” reference, in case it’s not obvious.

    Report Post » eaglescout1998  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:23pm

    I always loved McHales Navy, he was one of my favorites, and of course I loved him in Spongebob, at least my son grew up knowing him.

    Ernie will bring a little class to heaven, and a lot of humor.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • Restored One
      Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:48pm

      I remember him, and I am quite young (44, hahaha). The Blaze article did not mention the Posiden Adventure. That is what I remember. When I watched the video, I thought “what a wonderful acceptance speech” It was really uplifiting. Unfortunately a great actor that I have loved until late presented the award.

      Report Post »  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:21pm

    Goodnight Mr Borgnine… I really liked watching McHale’s Navy while growing up.

    Bill O’Reilly Interviews Ernest Borgnine February 28, 2011

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0jUkak_myI
    or
    http://www.billoreilly.com/video?chartID=554&vid=-813823536308927020

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • Al J Zira
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:21pm

    There‘s a man that provided hours upon hours of entertainment and laughter all throughout my childhood with McHale’s Navy and then in the Poseidon Adventure. His career shifted to cameo appearances in movies and TV and I always looked forward to watching.

    But the thing I’ll remember most is this quote about the movie; Broke Back Mountain. “[on Brokeback Mountain (2005)] I didn‘t see it and I don’t care to see it . . . If John Wayne were alive, he’d be rolling over in his grave.

    Report Post » Al J Zira  
  • honkytonkman
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:58pm

    Mr. Borgnine was and remains a role model for the ages. Rest in peace sir.

    Report Post » honkytonkman  
    • Paul
      Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:18pm

      Lord, Comfort His Family & Friends, I have A Feeling He Has Many….

      Report Post » Paul  
  • dazedandamazed
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:56pm

    Just saw him on O’Riley the other night. He sure looked great for someone 95. He was always a class guy

    Report Post » dazedandamazed  
  • CatB
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:53pm

    Great Actor . celebrating a life well lived . I remember when he would go on tv and help Tova sell her products he would say … if it can help me imagine what it could do for you ;-) My condolences to Tova and all his family.

    Report Post »  
  • 321481
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:53pm

    I always enjoyed his work. He will be missed.

    Report Post »  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:52pm

    I can’t put my finger on why I appreciated his style. But I did. And I‘m sorry he’s gone.

    Report Post » Rayblue  
    • pudssweetie
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:59am

      Rayblue, I think it is because Ernest was versatile and could play many roles from Comedy to action and everything in between.

      Report Post »  
  • Runesinger
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:46pm

    One of the most amazing roles I ever saw him play was the Centurion in the film “Jesus of Nazareth.”

    Report Post » Runesinger  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:33pm

    He was a great actor, a great guy. May God rest his soul.

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • HotFixIt
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:20pm

    I enjoyed so many of those movies and programs. Glad they did not wait any longer to give him the lifetime achievement award!

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:18pm

    …
    A fine man, a fine actor. He will be missed.
    Thank you Earnest, for all the years of wonderful entertainment.

    Report Post »  
  • Sicboy
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:14pm

    Why no story”s about banksters stealing from the people? WHATS GOING ON HERE???

    Report Post » Sicboy  
    • Paul
      Posted on July 8, 2012 at 10:21pm

      You’re not sick, you’re rotton to the core.

      Report Post » Paul  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:13pm

    One of the few good men in Hollywood. He will be missed.

    Report Post »  
  • JACKTHETOAD
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 9:08pm

    He always added his own special magic to everything he was in. R.I.P. Ernie.

    Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • CinemaNoir
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 8:50pm

    Goodbye, Ernie….. You’re the most beautiful “ugly” guy I ever had the pleasure of watching in movies and on TV…..

    Report Post »  
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