Monday, July 09, 2012

Ernest Borgnine Has Died


Ernest Borgnine, the character actor who won best actor Oscar for "Marty," has died. He was 95. He was the oldest living winner of the best actor Oscar but was really known more for character roles.

28 comments:

Frufra said...

I absolutely love that this man had enough of a sense of humor to voice Mermaid Man on SpongeBob. He brought joy to kids AND stoners everywhere. He will be missed.

surfer said...

I loved him in McHale's Navy.

angie said...

95 years, wow. It's hard for me to comprehend someone living that long. RIP

billybob said...

Awwww guys, I really loved him as well and I feel so sad for Tova. My mother told me to watch Marty when it was on TV in the 1980s. She said I’d love it. She was right. I’ve loved him ever since. I really thought he would live forever.....sobs. Iwent to his IMDB pages and he worked pretty much all the time. Adorable and with a lovely sweet wife. RIP, Marty. You earned a special place in Heaven.

a non a miss said...

Aww mermaid man! So sad, I'll watch some spongebob is his memory. I also loved him is BASEketball. Rip!

FSP said...

RIP Ernest. Loved you in Super Fuzz.

StewMcG said...

Very sad, indeed.

And, yes, he was AWESOME in Super Fuzz! (Haven't thought of that movie in years. lol)

MaryMQC said...

My kids used to watch a lot of Spongebob, and while I often found reason to laugh with them, nothing was better than when Earnest was doing Mermaid Man. Hilarious.

MaryMQC said...

I just realized we're all talking about how great he was in newer stuff, but really he had so many good roles. My personal favorites were his character in The Wild Bunch (can't remember his name), and the asshole he played in From Here to Eternity - he was phenomenal in it.

Barton Fink said...

He was always so cute when he did his wide-eyed confused look, with those teeth and that big loveable face. 90 years is a long time! I suspect he enjoyed life a lot.

O'Really said...

What a long, amazing life...95 years, wow. I think its's incredible that he entertained so many generations. Great actor and an absolute joy to watch/hear.

May he rest in peace.

Robert said...

I've seen some snarky comments elsewhere about Borgnine having hammed up every role he ever played, and I couldn't disagree more. It's true he played some roles where a certain amount of ham was called for. "McHale's Navy" comes to mind in that regard. But in serious roles, Borgnine was an actor of rare talent. He was also reputedly one of the kindest, most decent people in Hollywood, and he will undoubtedly be missed.

uberbaldy said...

I had the pleasure to meet Mr. Borgnine this past September. It was at a convention in Atlanta. When it comes to autograph sessions it has been my experience that all of the celebrity guests fall into one of two columns. Those that enjoy engaging with their fans and those that are. . Let's say more picky about who they focus their attention on, a certain "Greek god" is always my first example of the latter.

My point of this is that at a convention where Ernest did not have as huge a following as many other guests and it would be understandable for him to be a bit bored, or put off, by having as few people seek his autograph as I saw. He wasn't. I tend to have issues expressing myself to people I don't know personally but Ernest Borgnine was very open and friendly. When I was getting my picture with him the hat I was wearing was low on my face and he just pulled it back and said, "Come on get your face in the picture." with a laugh and a smile.

In that situation it's all I need to know about him because he was obviously a generous and fun person to be around. I only wish I had been able to express to him better how much I had loved watching his characters as I grew up.

R.I.P. Ernest.

Merlin D. Bear said...

RIP Mr. Borgnine.
Thank you for the laughter and the tears.
I can only imagine the poker game going on now in Heaven.

Ms Cool said...

He grand-marshaled the Circus Parade in Milwaukee many times and presented himself as a class act and super nice guy. I'm happy he lived such a long life and thought his role in Marty was outstanding. His asshole in From Here to Eternity was really convincing.

Robert said...

The man was in so many great movies it's hard to believe (From Here to Eternity, Marty, Bad Day at Black Rock, Johnny Guitar, The Poseidon Adventure, The Wild Bunch) but one of my favorite roles of his was in the "USA" segment of the ensemble piece "September 11." Directed by Sean Penn (I know,) he gives a great performance in that film. Arrivederci, Mr. Borgnine.

timebob said...

He was my hero when he was interviewed on fox news and when asked what was his secret to longevity. He said sex, the look on those robotic talking heads was priceless.

Sherry R. said...

Nice story, Uberbaldy!
Except for that stint as Ethel Merman's husband, he seemed like the happiest guy and he had an amazing career.

dia papaya said...

All all the earth angels are going home. RIP Ernest! May you inspire more young men to turn into someone amazing like you.

CarolMR said...

Loved your work, Mr. Borgnine. I've seen him on several TV interviews (yes, the Fox one, too) and he had great stories about the people he worked with, like Sinatra. Never had an unkind word about anyone. RIP.

pilly said...

Marty

Bless him

Jennifer H. said...

I thought I was the only person who has seen that!

shakey said...

What an incredible life he had. Bet he's partying it up right, upstairs.

This is one celebrity death that actually makes me sad.

Rickatoo said...

On August 14, 2008, Borgnine was interviewed on FoxNews when he was asked about the secret to his longevity. Laughingly Borgnine responds "I don't dare tell you," but then he leans over to whisper into the ear of his interviewer, but the whisper is caught by the microphone, "I masturbate a lot."

Del Riser said...

RIP Mr. Borgnine.

libby said...

Yes! Rickatoo---I hope "The Soup" will show that clip for the 1,000th time this week, as an RIP. It was one of their biggest repeat clips there for awhile! SO funny!

And Borgnine, a HAM? No way. Nobody played 'average joe' better than him, longer than him.

Remember his tiny role in Gattaca? So short, but heartbreaking. I read a quote yesterday in which he said 'I don't care if it's a small or big role, or if my name's above the title or below. I just love working, however it comes.' (Words to that effect.)

RIP, sir. Our ONLY consolation will be that there will hopefully be a retrospective very soon, on TCM or wherever. If I don't see "Marty" soon, I'm gonna burst!

FingerBinger said...

R.I.P. When someone lives that long you cannot be sad you should only celebrate that life.

HolidayinCambodia said...

Escape from New York!

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