Ernest Borgnine had a lengthy and influential acting career, making a big mark in Hollywood for many years. Among his memorable roles was that of Lt. Cmdr. Quinton McHale in the ABC sitcom McHale’s Navy (1962-66). Before charming audiences in movies and television, Borgnine served in the US Navy.
Ernest Borgnine’s early life
Ernest Borgnine, originally named Ermes Effron Borgnino, was born in Hamden, Connecticut in January 1917. Just two years later, his parents divorced, prompting him to move to Italy with his mother, Anna, where they lived for four and a half years.
After his parents reconciled, Anna and Borgnine went back to the United States. It was then that the family decided to change their last name from “Borgino” to “Borgnine.”
Service with the US Navy during World War II
After graduating from high school in 1935, Ernest Borgnine joined the US Navy. He spent much of his military service on the USS Lamberton (DD-119).
He received an honorable discharge in October 1941, but the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor led him to re-enlist. He was then deployed to the Atlantic Coast, serving on the USS Sylph (PY-12), a patrol yacht.
During the Second World War, Borgnine distinguished himself and rose to the rank of gunner’s mate first class by the war’s end. His service earned him several decorations, including the World War II Victory Medal, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal with 3/16 Bronze Star, and the American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp.
Ernest Borgnine’s decision to pursue an acting career
After leaving the US Navy, Ernest Borgnine went back to his parents’ home, unsure about his next steps.
In an interview with the British Film Institute, he shared, “After World War II, we wanted no more part in war. I didn’t even want to be a Boy Scout. I went home and said that I was through with the Navy and so now, what do we do? So I went home to mother, and after a few weeks of patting me on the back and ‘You did good,’ and everything else, one day she said, ‘Well?’ like mothers do. Which meant, ‘All right, you gonna get a job or what?'”
Seeing Borgnine’s interest in performing, his mother encouraged him to try acting. He then trained at the Randall School of Drama in Connecticut and joined an acting group at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. A few years later, he earned a role on Broadway in Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Harvey.
An Academy Award and the success of McHale’s Navy
Ernest Borgnine entered Hollywood shortly after achieving success on Broadway. Initially cast as villains and background characters, his big break came with the lead role in the 1955 film Marty, which garnered widespread critical acclaim. His performance in the title role earned him the Oscar for Best Actor at the 28th Academy Awards, triumphing over notable competitors such as James Dean, Frank Sinatra, Spencer Tracey and James Cagney.
Borgnine’s talents extended beyond the silver screen; he also left his mark on television. In 1962, he took on the role of Lt. Cmdr. Quinton McHale on the popular ABC sitcom McHale’s Navy, set during World War II. The show chronicled his character’s adventures as the commanding officer of a US Navy PT Boat. It ran for four seasons before being canceled, spawning the short-lived spin-off Broadside (1964-65) and inspiring several films.
Ernest Borgnine’s later career and legacy
In 1969, Ernest Borgnine undertook one of his most renowned and contentious roles, Dutch Engstrom in The Wild Bunch. More than a decade later, he appeared in another beloved TV series, Airwolf (1984-87), portraying Dom Santini, a seasoned veteran of both World War II and the Korean War.
Continuing his career in Hollywood well into the early 2010s, Borgnine left a mark with memorable performances in films, such as BASEketball (1998), All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 (1996), and Red (2010). Even younger audiences were treated to his distinctive voice as Mermaid Man in the popular Nickelodeon cartoon, SpongeBob SquarePants (1999-present).
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Ernest Borgnine died on July 8, 2012, from kidney failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at the age of 95. He was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California, and a memorial bench was later dedicated in his memory.
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