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Ermes Efron Borgnino was born in Hamden, Conn., on Jan. 24, 1917, the son of Italian immigrant parents. The family lived in Milan when the boy was 2 to 7, then returned to Connecticut, where he attended school in New Haven. Borgnine joined the Navy in 1935 and served on a destroyer during World War II. He weighed 135 pounds when he enlisted. He left the Navy 10 years later, weighing exactly 100 pounds more. "I wouldn't trade those 10 years for anything," he said in 1956. "The Navy taught me a lot of things. It molded me as a...

Ernest Borgnine, the beefy screen star known for blustery, often villainous roles, but who won the best-actor Oscar for playing against type as a lovesick butcher in "Marty" in 1955, died Sunday. He was 95....

Ernest Borgnine, the beefy screen star known for blustery, often villainous roles, but who won the best-actor Oscar for playing against type as a lovesick butcher in "Marty" in 1955, died Sunday. He was 95

With "JAG," "Navy CIS," "MASH," and other military television shows being quite popular, one might consider with how military service has enhanced the fame of veteran actors in Hollywood or vice versa. During our distinguished history, some Hollywood actors have taken a break from their careers while they defended our country oftentimes to battle in war. These hereos include Charles Bronson, Gary Cooper, Glenn Ford, Henry Fonda, Clarke Gable, Lee Marvin, Elvis Presley, and Jimmy Stewart. More recent editions of entertainment veterans include "Limp Bizkit" lead singer Fred Durst who did service with the United States Navy. Up until...

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Actor Ernest Borgnine: America 'an Amazing Country' By Justin McCarthy (Bio | Archive) August 12, 2008 - 15:37 ET    Veteran actor Ernest Borgnine, still acting at age 91, does not represent the mainstream ideology of the Hollywood elite, or even a potential first lady named Michelle. Borgnine, unlike most of his fellow Hollywood elitists, believes America is "an amazing country" and that one has to "prove" one is "a good American by being an American."Appearing on the August 12 edition of "Good Morning America," Borgnine promoted his new autobiography. When given the opportunity, Borgnine, the son of Italian...

At a recent reunion of the cast of the 1960s TV comedy "McHale's Navy," the actors were appalled at the arrival of their former commandant. A driver helped Ernest Borgnine from the car. The once-exuberant Lt. Cmdr. Quinton McHale was stooped over and walked haltingly, muttering gibberish. His former ensign, comedian Tim Conway, rushed forward and exclaimed, "Ernie, what has happened to you?" Suddenly Borgnine straightened up, threw out his massive chest and bellowed, "What's going on here?" followed by his signature high-decible laugh. Prankster Borgnine shows little evidence of aging as he approaches his 90th birthday on Wednesday. His...

Ernest Borgnine Returns to DC to Receive Navy Honor WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Academy Award-winning actor, Ernest Borgnine, is making his way back to the nation's capital this week to revisit friends and shipmates -- and to show one of his latest films -- at the U.S. Navy Memorial and with The United States Navy Band. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030516/DCF023LOGO ) On Saturday, Borgnine, a World War II Sailor, will serve as master of ceremonies of the October 16, United States Navy Band concert at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. The band is celebrating the 229th anniversary of the United...