Ernest Borgnine had a long and successful Hollywood career, securing a lasting place in both film and television history. One of his most iconic roles was as Lt. Cmdr. Quinton McHale on the ABC sitcom McHale’s Navy (1962–1966). However, before becoming a well-known face on screen, Borgnine proudly served in the U.S. Navy.
Ernest Borgnine’s early life
Ernest Borgnine, whose real name was Ermes Effron Borgnino, was born in Hamden, Connecticut, in January 1917. When he was only two years old, his parents divorced, and he moved to Italy with his mother, Anna. They stayed there for about four and a half years.
Once his parents got back together, Anna and Ernest returned to the U.S. At that time, the family chose 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 U.S. Navy, where he served primarily on the USS Lamberton (DD-119). He was honorably discharged in October 1941, but after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he re-enlisted. This time, he served aboard the USS Sylph (PY-12), a patrol yacht operating along the Atlantic Coast.
During the Second World War, Borgnine demonstrated his dedication and skill as a sailor, eventually rising to the rank of gunner’s mate first class. His hard work and service earned him several military honors, including the World War II Victory Medal, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal with a Bronze Star, and the American Defense Service Medal with a 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
After building a strong reputation on Broadway, Ernest Borgnine made the jump to Hollywood, where he started out playing supporting and villain roles. His big break came with the lead role in the 1955 film Marty, which earned him widespread praise. His heartfelt performance won him the Academy Award for Best Actor at the 28th Oscars, beating out legendary nominees like James Dean, Frank Sinatra, Spencer Tracy, and James Cagney.
Borgnine also became a familiar face on television. In 1962, he took on the role of Lt. Cmdr. Quinton McHale in the popular ABC sitcom McHale’s Navy, set during World War II. The show followed McHale as the leader of a Navy PT boat crew and ran for four successful seasons. It also led to a spin-off series, Broadside (1964–65), and several feature films.
Ernest Borgnine’s later career and legacy
In 1969, Ernest Borgnine took on one of his most famous and controversial roles as Dutch Engstrom in The Wild Bunch. More than a decade later, he starred in another popular TV series, Airwolf (1984–1987), playing Dom Santini, a seasoned veteran of both World War II and the Korean War.
Borgnine continued acting well into the early 2010s, delivering memorable performances in films like BASEketball (1998), All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 (1996), and Red (2010). He also became known to younger audiences as the voice of Mermaid Man in the hit Nickelodeon cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants (1999–present).
Ernest Borgnine passed away on July 8, 2012, from kidney failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at the age of 95. He was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California, and a memorial bench was later dedicated in his honor.