Ernest Borgnine had a lengthy and influential acting career, leaving a large mark on Hollywood for many years. One of his memorable roles was Lt. Cmdr. Quinton McHale in the ABC sitcom McHale’s Navy (1962-66). Before captivating audiences on the big and small screens, Borgnine really 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
Following his high school graduation in 1935, Ernest Borgnine enlisted in the US Navy. A large portion of his military tenure was spent aboard the USS Lamberton (DD-119).
Although he received an honorable discharge in October 1941, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor prompted him to re-enlist, and he was subsequently deployed to the Atlantic Coast, where he served aboard the USS Sylph (PY-12), a patrol yacht.
Throughout the Second World War, Borgnine distinguished himself, reaching the rank of gunner’s mate first class by the end of the conflict. His service garnered 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 made his debut in Hollywood shortly after his success on Broadway. Although he initially took on roles as villains and background characters, his breakthrough came when he was cast as the lead in the 1955 film Marty, which received widespread critical acclaim. His portrayal of the title character earned him the Oscar for Best Actor at the 28th Academy Awards, triumphing over esteemed competitors such as James Dean, Frank Sinatra, Spencer Tracey and James Cagney.
However, Borgnine’s talents were not confined to the silver screen; he also ventured into television. In 1962, he assumed the role of Lt. Cmdr. Quinton McHale on the popular ABC sitcom, McHale’s Navy, set against the backdrop of World War II. The show followed his character’s adventures as the commanding officer of a US Navy PT Boat. Running for four seasons before its cancellation, it spawned the short-lived spin-off, Broadside (1964-65), and inspired 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.