Winning the 1956 Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a lonely butcher in the film Marty, Ernest Borgnine transformed from a post-war factory worker into a fixture of twentieth-century cinema. His career, spanning six decades, moved from early stage appearances to high-profile roles in some of the most critically regarded films of the classic era.
Military Service and Transition to Acting
Born Ermes Effron Borgnino in 1917 in Hamden, Connecticut, Borgnine graduated from James Hillhouse High School before joining the United States Navy in 1935. Following an honorable discharge in 1941, he re-enlisted after the Pearl Harbor attack, serving as a gunner's mate first class on the USS Sylph until 1945. Upon returning to civilian life, he lacked career direction until his mother suggested he pursue acting. He trained at the Randall School of Drama in Hartford and joined the Barter Theatre in Virginia, eventually moving to New York City for a Broadway debut in 1949.
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Borgnine entered the motion picture industry in 1951 with a role in The Whistle at Eaton Falls. He quickly gained recognition as a dependable character actor, often cast as a villain in Westerns like Johnny Guitar and Vera Cruz. His performance as Sergeant Fatso Judson in the 1953 film From Here to Eternity brought him widespread critical attention. In 1955, he solidified his status with the leading role in Marty, which earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama, and the BAFTA for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Television and Long-term Career
Beyond his film credits, including The Wild Bunch, Borgnine maintained a prolific presence on television. He starred as the title character in the sitcom McHale's Navy between 1962 and 1966 and co-starred in the action series Airwolf from 1984 to 1986. His career remained active into his later years, notably providing the voice for Mermaid Man on SpongeBob SquarePants from 1999 until 2012. In 2009, he earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his guest appearance on the final episode of ER.
Honors and Personal Life
Throughout his life, Borgnine received several honors, including the Lone Sailor Award and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2011. He was also named a chief petty officer by the U.S. Navy in 2004. An atheist, Borgnine died in 2012 at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. His legacy includes a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and numerous military commendations for his decade of naval service.
Fast facts
- Born: 1917, Hamden, Connecticut
- Died: 2012, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Military service: United States Navy, 1935–1941 and 1942–1945
- Academy Award for Best Actor: 1956
- Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award: 2011
- Television roles: McHale's Navy, Airwolf, SpongeBob SquarePants
- Education: Hillhouse High School
- Burial place: Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Questions readers ask
What was Ernest Borgnine's most decorated film role?
He won the Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA for Best Actor for his role in the 1955 film Marty.
Did Ernest Borgnine serve in the military?
Yes, he served in the United States Navy for nearly 10 years, including duty during World War II.
Achievements
- Academy Award for Best Actor — 1956
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama — 1955
- Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award — 2011
- BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role — 1956
- Worked as actor, film actor and character actor
