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 Ernest Borgnine was born Ermes Effron Borgnino on January 24, 1917 in Hamden, Connecticut. His parents were Anna (Boselli), who had emigrated from Carpi (MO), Italy, and Camillo Borgnino, who had emigrated from Ottiglio (AL), Italy. As an only child, Ernest enjoyed most sports, especially boxing, but took no real interest in acting. At age 18, after graduating from high school in New Haven, and undecided about his future career, he joined the United States Navy, where he stayed for ten years until leaving in 1945. After a few factory jobs, his mother suggested that his forceful personality could make him suitable for a career in acting, and Borgnine promptly enrolled at the Randall School of Drama in Hartford. After completing the course, he joined Robert Porterfield's famous Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, staying there for four years, undertaking odd jobs and playing every type of role imaginable. His big break came in 1949, when he made his acting debut on Broadway playing a male nurse in "Harvey".In 1951, Borgnine moved to Los Angeles to pursue a movie career, and made his film debut as Bill Street in The Whistle at Eaton Falls (1951). His career took off in 1953 when he was cast in the role of Sergeant "Fatso" Judson in From Here to Eternity (1953). This memorable performance led to numerous supporting roles as "heavies" in a steady string of dramas and westerns. He played against type in 1955 by securing the lead role of Marty Piletti, a shy and sensitive butcher, in Marty (1955). He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance, despite strong competition from Spencer Tracy, Frank Sinatra, James Dean and James Cagney. Throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, Borgnine performed memorably in such films as The Catered Affair (1956), Ice Station Zebra (1968) and Emperor of the North (1973). Between 1962 and 1966, he played Lt. Commander Quinton McHale in the popular television series McHale's Navy (1962). In early 1984, he returned to television as Dominic Santini in the action series Airwolf (1984) co-starring Jan-Michael Vincent, and in 1995, he was cast in the comedy series The Single Guy (1995) as doorman Manny Cordoba. He also appeared in several made-for-TV movies.Ernest Borgnine has often stated that acting was his greatest passion. His amazing 61-year career (1951 - 2012) included appearances in well over 100 feature films and as a regular in three television series, as well as voice-overs in animated films such as All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 (1996), Small Soldiers (1998), and a continued role in the series SpongeBob SquarePants (1999). Between 1973 until his death, Ernest was married to Tova Traesnaes, who heads her own cosmetics company. They lived in Beverly Hills, California, where Ernest assisted his wife between film projects. When not acting, Ernest actively supported numerous charities and spoke tirelessly at benefits throughout the country. He has been awarded several honorary doctorates from colleges across the United States as well as numerous Lifetime Achievement Awards. In 1996, Ernest purchased a bus and traveled across the United States to see the country and meet his many fans. On December 17, 1999, he presented the University of North Alabama with a collection of scripts from his film and television career, due to his long friendship with North Alabama alumnus and actor George Lindsey (died May 6, 2012), who was an artist in residence at North Alabama.Ernest Borgnine passed away aged 95 on July 8, 2012, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, of renal failure. He is survived by his wife Tova, their children and his younger sister Evelyn (1926-2013)
Bio:
Ernest Borgnine was born Ermes Effron Borgnino on January 24, 1917 in Hamden, Connecticut. His parents were Anna (Boselli), who had emigrated from Carpi (MO), Italy, and Camillo Borgnino, who had emigrated from Ottiglio (AL), Italy. As an only child, Ernest enjoyed most sports, especially boxing, but took no real interest in acting. At age 18, after graduating from high school in New Haven, and undecided about his future career, he joined the United States Navy, where he stayed for ten years until leaving in 1945. After a few factory jobs, his mother suggested that his forceful personality could make him suitable for a career in acting, and Borgnine promptly enrolled at the Randall School of Drama in Hartford. After completing the course, he joined Robert Porterfield's famous Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, staying there for four years, undertaking odd jobs and playing every type of role imaginable. His big break came in 1949, when he made his acting debut on Broadway playing a male nurse in "Harvey".In 1951, Borgnine moved to Los Angeles to pursue a movie career, and made his film debut as Bill Street in The Whistle at Eaton Falls (1951). His career took off in 1953 when he was cast in the role of Sergeant "Fatso" Judson in From Here to Eternity (1953). This memorable performance led to numerous supporting roles as "heavies" in a steady string of dramas and westerns. He played against type in 1955 by securing the lead role of Marty Piletti, a shy and sensitive butcher, in Marty (1955). He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance, despite strong competition from Spencer Tracy, Frank Sinatra, James Dean and James Cagney. Throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, Borgnine performed memorably in such films as The Catered Affair (1956), Ice Station Zebra (1968) and Emperor of the North (1973). Between 1962 and 1966, he played Lt. Commander Quinton McHale in the popular television series McHale's Navy (1962). In early 1984, he returned to television as Dominic Santini in the action series Airwolf (1984) co-starring Jan-Michael Vincent, and in 1995, he was cast in the comedy series The Single Guy (1995) as doorman Manny Cordoba. He also appeared in several made-for-TV movies.Ernest Borgnine has often stated that acting was his greatest passion. His amazing 61-year career (1951 - 2012) included appearances in well over 100 feature films and as a regular in three television series, as well as voice-overs in animated films such as All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 (1996), Small Soldiers (1998), and a continued role in the series SpongeBob SquarePants (1999). Between 1973 until his death, Ernest was married to Tova Traesnaes, who heads her own cosmetics company. They lived in Beverly Hills, California, where Ernest assisted his wife between film projects. When not acting, Ernest actively supported numerous charities and spoke tirelessly at benefits throughout the country. He has been awarded several honorary doctorates from colleges across the United States as well as numerous Lifetime Achievement Awards. In 1996, Ernest purchased a bus and traveled across the United States to see the country and meet his many fans. On December 17, 1999, he presented the University of North Alabama with a collection of scripts from his film and television career, due to his long friendship with North Alabama alumnus and actor George Lindsey (died May 6, 2012), who was an artist in residence at North Alabama.Ernest Borgnine passed away aged 95 on July 8, 2012, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, of renal failure. He is survived by his wife Tova, their children and his younger sister Evelyn (1926-2013)
Tivia:
While resting between takes in his dressing room during the filming of Three Brave Men (1956) on the 20th Century-Fox lot, he received a visit from Tom Parker, the manager of Elvis Presley, presenting him with an armful of Elvis records. Elvis had heard of Borgnine defending his singing while making his acting debut in Love Me Tender (1956), also filming on another soundstage on the lot--Elvis had sent the records over in appreciation but was too shy to present them himself, never getting past the dressing room door. Borgnine said, "Well, we'll have to do something about that", telling Parker to make sure Elvis stopped by the following day. When Elvis eventually did come by, he could hear his record "Hound Dog" blaring out from the room and painted on the dressing room door were the words "Elvis Borgnine".In 2007, he became the first male Oscar winner for Best Actor to still be alive on his 90th birthday, and in 2012, became the first male Oscar winner for Best Actor to still be alive (and working) on his 95th birthday.While on location in Mexico filming Vera Cruz (1954), he and fellow cast member Charles Bronson found themselves with some extra time on their hands and decided to go to the nearest town to get some cigarettes. Still in full costume--including bandoliers and pistols--they mounted their horses and headed out. Along the way, they were spotted by a truckful of Mexican "federales"--federal police--who mistook them for bandits and held them at gunpoint until their identities could be verified.In a video interview on the Screen Actors Guild website, in association with his 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award, he was asked by members of Facebook what actor he would have loved to have worked with but hadn't until that time. He mentioned only one: Peter O'Toole, stating he'd been friends with him for years and that O'Toole had a wonderful attitude he'd always admired. On July 10, 2012, two days after Borgnine's death, O'Toole announced his retirement from acting.Was physically healthy and active until his death at age 95.Twice-wed Borgnine married thrice-wed Broadway diva Ethel Merman in 1964. Their marriage was dissolved after 32 days. They had announced their impending nuptials at the legendary New York night spot P.J. Clarke's, but Borgnine, who was riding high as the star of McHale's Navy (1962) at the time, said the marriage began unraveling on their honeymoon when he received more fan attention than she did. The competitive Merman was left seething. "By the time we got home, it was hell on earth," he recalled in a 2001 interview. "And after 32 days I said to her, 'Madam, bye'." Borgnine went on to marry twice more - with his fifth marriage lasting over 39 years until his death - but Merman remained single after their divorce. In her 1978 autobiography, she devoted a chapter to the marriage - It consisted of one blank page.Was the very first "center square" on The Hollywood Squares (Daytime) (1965) (during its premiere week in October 1966).Said that at one point, he was considering making the United States Navy a career--he spent ten years there--but his mother talked him into becoming an actor.Was the only actor to star in all four "Dirty Dozen" films.Though he occasionally feuded with Mickey Rooney, they were also great friends and worked together many times over the years, notably in the opening of The 50th Annual Academy Awards (1978), in Outlaws: The Legend of O.B. Taggart (1995), the screenplay written by Rooney, and Night Club (2011). In Hollywood on the evening of July 9, 2012, was a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the filming of It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963) hosted by Billy Crystal featuring many of the movie's cast and crew. Ernest had passed away the day before and Rooney went on stage that evening, mentioned this fact and asked the audience for a moment's silence in remembrance. This event was filmed and later released as The Last 70mm Film Festival (2014).Was made an honorary US Navy Chief Petty Officer by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Terry Scott on 10/15/04. Before acting, he served in the navy for ten years, from 1935-45, and left the service as a Gunner's Mate First Class.His automobile's licence plate is BORG9.Was presented with the Screen Actors Guild's Lifetime Achievement Award in January 2011 by Morgan Freeman and Tim Conway.Until 1962, he was a heavy smoker. He quit that year, and became a militant anti-smoker.Alongside Norman Lloyd, William Daniels, Angela Lansbury, Mickey Rooney, Betty White, Dick Van Dyke, Edward Asner, Celeste Holm, Christopher Lee, Adam West, Marla Gibbs, William Shatner, Larry Hagman, Florence Henderson, Shirley Jones, Hal Linden and Alan Alda, Borgnine was one of the few screen actors who lived into their 80s and/or 90s without ever either retiring from acting or having stopped getting work.Passed away on July 8, 2012, at age 95, and within three months of four other television legends who were also born in 1917, either aged 94 or 95: Ann Rutherford, Celeste Holm, Phyllis Diller and Herbert Lom; and only five days after Andy Griffith, born in 1926.On McHale's Navy (1962) he played a US Navy officer on a PT boat. In real life, Borgnine had been a Navy NCO (Gunner's Mate) on the USS Slyph (PY-12), a yacht taken into Navy service as a small patrol vessel and equipped with various guns and depth charges.His film career spanned 61 years, from 1951 to 2012, His first leading role was his Oscar-winning performance in Marty (1955), his last leading role was at age 95 in The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez (2012).His fifth wife, Tova Borgnine, was almost 25 years his junior.Involved in an air crash (1996) and had both knees replaced (1999).According to The Single Guy (1995) series' lead, Jonathan Silverman, Borgnine came to work with more energy and passion than all other stars combined. He was the first person to arrive on the set every day and the last to leave.Tortilla Flats, a West Village Tex-Mex restaurant on the corner of West 12th and Washington in New York City, had an obsession with Borgnine from the mid-1980s to its closure in October 2018. A booth was completely covered in his photos and the restaurant had a yearly "Ernest Borgnine Night". Staff members were put through rigorous Borgnine trivia training when hired. While he had no involvement in the restaurant, he made occasional visits, and wore one of their shirts when filming Captiva Island (1995). The annual celebration gained national prominence when featured on Episode dated 22 February 2009 (2009) in February 2009, with John Turturro and his son among the party goers in attendance--Ernest himself was there at the end of the night (via loudspeaker phone), wishing everyone well and to "have one [a drink] for me".On McHale's Navy (1962), his character spoke Italian, as Borgnine did in real-life.Celebrated his 90th birthday at a local bistro in West Hollywood, CA, in 2007. Among the guests were Tim Conway; his wife, Tova Borgnine; Dennis Farina; Army Archerd; Andy Granatelli' Bo Hopkins; Burt Young; Steven Bauer; his son, Cris Borgnine; his grandson, Anthony Borgnine; Debbie Reynolds; Connie Stevens; Larry Manetti; and Don Rickles, among many others.He won the 1955 Academy Award as Best Actor for Marty (1955), his first and only nomination for an Oscar. He was also nominated, and won, the Golden Globe, BAFTA (British Academy), National Board of Review and New York Film Critics Circle Awards for the same role. All were not only his first win, but his first and only nominations as lead actor in a theatrical film.Was one of the main influences for George Lucas in creating the character Dexter Jettster for Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) and years later for the character of Pao in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016).Periodically performed as the "Grand Clown" for The Great Circus Parade in Milwaukee, WI, since the 1970s.His grandfather had been the financial adviser to King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy.His family had a garden in the back yard and Borgnine recalled the hours he spent working there with great fondness. His mother oversaw the gardening so that it included vegetables to eat and flowers for the kitchen table. He recalled that the garden grew larger and the vegetables it yielded became more central to the family's meals after the stock market crashed in 1929. He so took to working the soil that he signed on at a nearby farm picking peaches and apples.On February 6, 2007, he received California's highest civilian honor, the California Commendation Medal. It was presented to him on the set of A Grandpa for Christmas (2007) by Major General William H. Wade II, Adjutant General and Commander of the California National Guard, for a lifetime of exceptionally meritorious service as well as recognizing his "heartfelt advocacy on behalf of military personnel and veterans on many fronts, including the California National Guard".His former McHale's Navy (1962) co-star, Tim Conway, was reunited with him in having a recurring role on SpongeBob SquarePants (1999), on separate episodes of each show.Was the only movie star to appear in 3D movies from both the Golden Age in the 1950s (The Stranger Wore a Gun (1953) and The Bounty Hunter (1954)) and the format's revival in the 2010s (one of his last movies, The Lion of Judah (2011)).Auditioned for the lead role in the romantic drama Marty (1955) while shooting Bad Day at Black Rock (1955) in Lone Pine, CA.Was the producers' first choice for the lead role in McHale's Navy (1962).Was an active Freemason and had been the Honorary Chairman of the Scottish Rite RiteCare Program, which sponsors 175 Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinics, Centers, and Programs nationwide.At age 91, he wrote an autobiography, "Ernie", which is a loose, conversational recollection of highlights from his acting career and notable events from his personal life.His second ex-wife Katy Jurado, passed away in 2002. He referred to her as "beautiful, but a tiger".He was considered for the role of Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather (1972) before Marlon Brando was cast.Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum (1996).Had the distinction of appearing in more of the 100 Most Enjoyably Awful Movies of All Time as listed in Razzie Award-founder John Wilson's book "The Official Razzie Movie Guide", than any other actor--a total of four: The Adventurers (1970), The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968)The Oscar (1966), and The Poseidon Adventure (1972).In 1971, he returned to Hamden, CT, for a reunion and spent hours visiting familiar sites and reminiscing with town residents.He never retired from acting and worked right up until his death at the age of ninety-five.Passed away on July 8, 2012. Just before his death, he appeared in his final film: The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez (2012).Although he played Kirk Douglas' father in The Vikings (1958), he was six weeks his junior in real life. He also played Tony Curtis' father in the same film in spite of being only eight years his senior.On March 3, 2006, he was given a standing ovation when introduced at the National Italian-American Foundation's salute to the Academy Awards, which was celebrating 78 years of Italian-American Oscar winners and nominees. Former Motion Picture Producers Association of America chief Jack Valenti co-chaired the dinner, and Italian-Americans in attendance included Connie Stevens, Dom DeLuise, Robert Loggia and Al Martino as well as Italian actor Franco Nero.Had attended Yale University, where he majored in math and hated this; he transferred to the Randall School of Dramatic Arts in Hartford, CT, paid for by the G.I. Bill.One of his favorite hobbies was stamp collecting. He started as a boy collecting stamps and never settled on any issue or specialization; he did have an extensive collection of Russian and Cuban stamps collected during the Cold War period. He would go on to become a member of the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) from September 1975 through January 1984 and in 1978 starred in public service announcements in print and television for the US Postal Service, promoting their "50th Anniversary Year of Talking Pictures" and "Surrender at Saratoga" Commemoratives. He admitted in later years that because of his work and traveling he gradually let his collecting go but would always in the years that followed promote the art of stamp collecting at every opportunity.Though he was in all three sequels to The Dirty Dozen (1967), he was not in the sequel to McHale's Navy (1964) made the following year McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force (1965). In later years he told interviewers that he never got a clear explanation why the movie had been made without him despite the original's box-office success and that he was amazed that he hadn't even been asked to appear in it, saying that theater owners criticized him, thinking he had refused to do the movie. Theories as to why he wasn't asked include the fact that Universal and producer Edward Montagne wanted to keep the production's budget low as well as develop Joe Flynn and Tim Conway into a starring team for a theatrical movie franchise the way Montagne would eventually do with Don Knotts in the years to come. Borgnine would shrug this setback off very fast and accept one of the main roles in the all-star Robert Aldrich production The Flight of the Phoenix (1965), would go on and star in the TV series' 1965-66 final season and decades later be the only original McHale's cast member included in the remake/sequel McHale's Navy (1997).He received his 50-year pin as a Freemason in Abingdon Lodge #48, Abingdon, VA (2000).Was a Master Mason and had been elevated to the 33rd Degree in Scottish Rite. |
| Name: |
Ernest Borgnine |
Type: |
Actor,Producer,Soundtrack (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
|
Business scope: |
Actor,Producer,Soundtrack |
| Products for sale: |
Actor,Producer,Soundtrack |
| Model rank: |
434 |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 04:27:41 |
| Height: |
5' 10' (1.78 m) |
| Biography: |
Ernest Borgnine was born Ermes Effron Borgnino on January 24, 1917 in Hamden, Connecticut. His parents were Anna (Boselli), who had emigrated from Carpi (MO), Italy, and Camillo Borgnino, who had emigrated from Ottiglio (AL), Italy. As an only child, |
| Trivia: |
While resting between takes in his dressing room during the filming of Three Brave Men (1956) on the 20th Century-Fox lot, he received a visit from Tom Parker, the manager of Elvis Presley, presenting him with an armful of Elvis records. Elvis had heard of Borgnine defending his singing while making his acting debut in Love Me Tender (1956), also filming on another soundstage on the lot--Elvis had sent the records over in appreciation but was too shy to present them himself, never getting past the dressing room door. Borgnine said, "Well, we'll have to do something about that", telling Parker to make sure Elvis stopped by the following day. When Elvis eventually did come by, he could hear his record "Hound Dog" blaring out from the room and painted on the dressing room door were the words "Elvis Borgnine".In 2007, he became the first male Oscar winner for Best Actor to still be alive on his 90th birthday, and in 2012, became the first male Oscar winner for Best Actor to still be alive (and working) on his 95th birthday.While on location in Mexico filming Vera Cruz (1954), he and fellow cast member Charles Bronson found themselves with some extra time on their hands and decided to go to the nearest town to get some cigarettes. Still in full costume--including bandoliers and pistols--they mounted their horses and headed out. Along the way, they were spotted by a truckful of Mexican "federales"--federal police--who mistook them for bandits and held them at gunpoint until their identities could be verified.In a video interview on the Screen Actors Guild website, in association with his 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award, he was asked by members of Facebook what actor he would have loved to have worked with but hadn't until that time. He mentioned only one: Peter O'Toole, stating he'd been friends with him for years and that O'Toole had a wonderful attitude he'd always admired. On July 10, 2012, two days after Borgnine's death, O'Toole announced his retirement from acting.Was physically healthy and active until his death at age 95.Twice-wed Borgnine married thrice-wed Broadway diva Ethel Merman in 1964. Their marriage was dissolved after 32 days. They had announced their impending nuptials at the legendary New York night spot P.J. Clarke's, but Borgnine, who was riding high as the star of McHale's Navy (1962) at the time, said the marriage began unraveling on their honeymoon when he received more fan attention than she did. The competitive Merman was left seething. "By the time we got home, it was hell on earth," he recalled in a 2001 interview. "And after 32 days I said to her, 'Madam, bye'." Borgnine went on to marry twice more - with his fifth marriage lasting over 39 years until his death - but Merman remained single after their divorce. In her 1978 autobiography, she devoted a chapter to the marriage - It consisted of one blank page.Was the very first "center square" on The Hollywood Squares (Daytime) (1965) (during its premiere week in October 1966).Said that at one point, he was considering making the United States Navy a career--he spent ten years there--but his mother talked him into becoming an actor.Was the only actor to star in all four "Dirty Dozen" films.Though he occasionally feuded with Mickey Rooney, they were also great friends and worked together many times over the years, notably in the opening of The 50th Annual Academy Awards (1978), in Outlaws: The Legend of O.B. Taggart (1995), the screenplay written by Rooney, and Night Club (2011). In Hollywood on the evening of July 9, 2012, was a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the filming of It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963) hosted by Billy Crystal featuring many of the movie's cast and crew. Ernest had passed away the day before and Rooney went on stage that evening, mentioned this fact and asked the audience for a moment's silence in remembrance. This event was filmed and later released as The Last 70mm Film Festival (2014).Was made an honorary US Navy Chief Petty Officer by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Terry Scott on 10/15/04. Before acting, he served in the navy for ten years, from 1935-45, and left the service as a Gunner's Mate First Class.His automobile's licence plate is BORG9.Was presented with the Screen Actors Guild's Lifetime Achievement Award in January 2011 by Morgan Freeman and Tim Conway.Until 1962, he was a heavy smoker. He quit that year, and became a militant anti-smoker.Alongside Norman Lloyd, William Daniels, Angela Lansbury, Mickey Rooney, Betty White, Dick Van Dyke, Edward Asner, Celeste Holm, Christopher Lee, Adam West, Marla Gibbs, William Shatner, Larry Hagman, Florence Henderson, Shirley Jones, Hal Linden and Alan Alda, Borgnine was one of the few screen actors who lived into their 80s and/or 90s without ever either retiring from acting or having stopped getting work.Passed away on July 8, 2012, at age 95, and within three months of four other television legends who were also born in 1917, either aged 94 or 95: Ann Rutherford, Celeste Holm, Phyllis Diller and Herbert Lom; and only five days after Andy Griffith, born in 1926.On McHale's Navy (1962) he played a US Navy officer on a PT boat. In real life, Borgnine had been a Navy NCO (Gunner's Mate) on the USS Slyph (PY-12), a yacht taken into Navy service as a small patrol vessel and equipped with various guns and depth charges.His film career spanned 61 years, from 1951 to 2012, His first leading role was his Oscar-winning performance in Marty (1955), his last leading role was at age 95 in The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez (2012).His fifth wife, Tova Borgnine, was almost 25 years his junior.Involved in an air crash (1996) and had both knees replaced (1999).According to The Single Guy (1995) series' lead, Jonathan Silverman, Borgnine came to work with more energy and passion than all other stars combined. He was the first person to arrive on the set every day and the last to leave.Tortilla Flats, a West Village Tex-Mex restaurant on the corner of West 12th and Washington in New York City, had an obsession with Borgnine from the mid-1980s to its closure in October 2018. A booth was completely covered in his photos and the restaurant had a yearly "Ernest Borgnine Night". Staff members were put through rigorous Borgnine trivia training when hired. While he had no involvement in the restaurant, he made occasional visits, and wore one of their shirts when filming Captiva Island (1995). The annual celebration gained national prominence when featured on Episode dated 22 February 2009 (2009) in February 2009, with John Turturro and his son among the party goers in attendance--Ernest himself was there at the end of the night (via loudspeaker phone), wishing everyone well and to "have one [a drink] for me".On McHale's Navy (1962), his character spoke Italian, as Borgnine did in real-life.Celebrated his 90th birthday at a local bistro in West Hollywood, CA, in 2007. Among the guests were Tim Conway; his wife, Tova Borgnine; Dennis Farina; Army Archerd; Andy Granatelli' Bo Hopkins; Burt Young; Steven Bauer; his son, Cris Borgnine; his grandson, Anthony Borgnine; Debbie Reynolds; Connie Stevens; Larry Manetti; and Don Rickles, among many others.He won the 1955 Academy Award as Best Actor for Marty (1955), his first and only nomination for an Oscar. He was also nominated, and won, the Golden Globe, BAFTA (British Academy), National Board of Review and New York Film Critics Circle Awards for the same role. All were not only his first win, but his first and only nominations as lead actor in a theatrical film.Was one of the main influences for George Lucas in creating the character Dexter Jettster for Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) and years later for the character of Pao in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016).Periodically performed as the "Grand Clown" for The Great Circus Parade in Milwaukee, WI, since the 1970s.His grandfather had been the financial adviser to King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy.His family had a garden in the back yard and Borgnine recalled the hours he spent working there with great fondness. His mother oversaw the gardening so that it included vegetables to eat and flowers for the kitchen table. He recalled that the garden grew larger and the vegetables it yielded became more central to the family's meals after the stock market crashed in 1929. He so took to working the soil that he signed on at a nearby farm picking peaches and apples.On February 6, 2007, he received California's highest civilian honor, the California Commendation Medal. It was presented to him on the set of A Grandpa for Christmas (2007) by Major General William H. Wade II, Adjutant General and Commander of the California National Guard, for a lifetime of exceptionally meritorious service as well as recognizing his "heartfelt advocacy on behalf of military personnel and veterans on many fronts, including the California National Guard".His former McHale's Navy (1962) co-star, Tim Conway, was reunited with him in having a recurring role on SpongeBob SquarePants (1999), on separate episodes of each show.Was the only movie star to appear in 3D movies from both the Golden Age in the 1950s (The Stranger Wore a Gun (1953) and The Bounty Hunter (1954)) and the format's revival in the 2010s (one of his last movies, The Lion of Judah (2011)).Auditioned for the lead role in the romantic drama Marty (1955) while shooting Bad Day at Black Rock (1955) in Lone Pine, CA.Was the producers' first choice for the lead role in McHale's Navy (1962).Was an active Freemason and had been the Honorary Chairman of the Scottish Rite RiteCare Program, which sponsors 175 Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinics, Centers, and Programs nationwide.At age 91, he wrote an autobiography, "Ernie", which is a loose, conversational recollection of highlights from his acting career and notable events from his personal life.His second ex-wife Katy Jurado, passed away in 2002. He referred to her as "beautiful, but a tiger".He was considered for the role of Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather (1972) before Marlon Brando was cast.Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum (1996).Had the distinction of appearing in more of the 100 Most Enjoyably Awful Movies of All Time as listed in Razzie Award-founder John Wilson's book "The Official Razzie Movie Guide", than any other actor--a total of four: The Adventurers (1970), The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968)The Oscar (1966), and The Poseidon Adventure (1972).In 1971, he returned to Hamden, CT, for a reunion and spent hours visiting familiar sites and reminiscing with town residents.He never retired from acting and worked right up until his death at the age of ninety-five.Passed away on July 8, 2012. Just before his death, he appeared in his final film: The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez (2012).Although he played Kirk Douglas' father in The Vikings (1958), he was six weeks his junior in real life. He also played Tony Curtis' father in the same film in spite of being only eight years his senior.On March 3, 2006, he was given a standing ovation when introduced at the National Italian-American Foundation's salute to the Academy Awards, which was celebrating 78 years of Italian-American Oscar winners and nominees. Former Motion Picture Producers Association of America chief Jack Valenti co-chaired the dinner, and Italian-Americans in attendance included Connie Stevens, Dom DeLuise, Robert Loggia and Al Martino as well as Italian actor Franco Nero.Had attended Yale University, where he majored in math and hated this; he transferred to the Randall School of Dramatic Arts in Hartford, CT, paid for by the G.I. Bill.One of his favorite hobbies was stamp collecting. He started as a boy collecting stamps and never settled on any issue or specialization; he did have an extensive collection of Russian and Cuban stamps collected during the Cold War period. He would go on to become a member of the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) from September 1975 through January 1984 and in 1978 starred in public service announcements in print and television for the US Postal Service, promoting their "50th Anniversary Year of Talking Pictures" and "Surrender at Saratoga" Commemoratives. He admitted in later years that because of his work and traveling he gradually let his collecting go but would always in the years that followed promote the art of stamp collecting at every opportunity.Though he was in all three sequels to The Dirty Dozen (1967), he was not in the sequel to McHale's Navy (1964) made the following year McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force (1965). In later years he told interviewers that he never got a clear explanation why the movie had been made without him despite the original's box-office success and that he was amazed that he hadn't even been asked to appear in it, saying that theater owners criticized him, thinking he had refused to do the movie. Theories as to why he wasn't asked include the fact that Universal and producer Edward Montagne wanted to keep the production's budget low as well as develop Joe Flynn and Tim Conway into a starring team for a theatrical movie franchise the way Montagne would eventually do with Don Knotts in the years to come. Borgnine would shrug this setback off very fast and accept one of the main roles in the all-star Robert Aldrich production The Flight of the Phoenix (1965), would go on and star in the TV series' 1965-66 final season and decades later be the only original McHale's cast member included in the remake/sequel McHale's Navy (1997).He received his 50-year pin as a Freemason in Abingdon Lodge #48, Abingdon, VA (2000).Was a Master Mason and had been elevated to the 33rd Degree in Scottish Rite. |
| Trademarks: |
The role of Mermaid Man in SpongeBob SquarePants (1999).
Frequently played villainous roles.
Gruff, but gentle voice.
Machiavellian eyebrows.
Gap between his two front teeth. |
| Quotes: |
Spencer Tracy was the first actor I've seen who could just look down into the dirt and command a scene. He played a set-up with Robert Ryan that way [in Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)]. He's looking down at the road and then he looks at Ryan at just the precise, right minute. I tell you, Rob could've stood on his head and zipped open his fly and the scene would've still been Mr. Tracy's.
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The trick is not to become somebody else. You become somebody else when you're in front of a camera or when you're on stage. There are some people who carry it all the time. That, to me, is not acting. What you've gotta do is find out what the writer wrote about and put it into your mind. This is acting. Not going out and researching what the writer has already written. This is crazy!
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Everything I do has a moral to it. Yes, I've been in films that have had shootings. I made The Wild Bunch (1969), which was the beginning of the splattering of blood and everything else. But there was a moral behind it. The moral was that, by golly, bad guys got it. That was it. Yeah.
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Ever since they opened the floodgates with Clark Gable saying, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn", somebody's ears pricked up and said, "Oh boy, here we go!". Writers used to make such wonderful pictures without all that swearing, all that cursing. And now it seems that you can't say three words without cursing. And I don't think that's right.
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[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. |
| Salaries: |
Marty (1955) - $5,000
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From Here to Eternity (1953) - $700 a week |
| Job title: |
Actor,Producer,Soundtrack |
| Others works: |
(1952) Stage: Appeared (as "Nelson"') in "Mrs. McThing" on Broadway. Comedy/fantasy. Written by Mary Chase. Background music (played on the Theremin) by Mischa Tulin. Scenic Design / Lighting Design by Lester Polakov. Directed by |
| Spouse: |
Tova Borgnine (February 24, 1973 - July 8, 2012) (his death)Donna Granucci (June 30, 1965 - January 1, 1972) (divorced, 2 children)Ethel Merman (June 27, 1964 - November 18, 1964) (divorced)Katy Jurado |
| Children: |
Diana Rancourt-BorgnineSharon BorgnineNancee BorgnineCris Borgnine |
| Parents: |
Camillo Borgnino
Anna Boselli |
| Relatives: |
Evelyn Velardi (Sibling) |
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