Home> Facts and Trivia > Stars > Ernest Borgnine
Ernest Borgnine Facts
| Sign | Aquarius |
| Born |
Jan 24, 1917 Hamden, CT |
| Died |
Jul 8, 2012 Los Angeles, CA |
| Age | Died at 95 |
| Total Facts | 42 |
According to his autobiography, "Ernie", he only has three children: Nancee Borgnine, from his first wife, Rhoda Kemins, and Sharon Borgnine and Cris Borgnine from his wife, Donna Rancourt.
Before he was a successful actor, he worked in a variety of factory jobs in a warehouse.
Best known by the public for his starring role as the title character in "McHale's Navy" (1962).
Father of Sharon Borgnine (born August 5th 1965), Cris Borgnine (born August 9th 1969) and Diana Rancourt-Borgnine (born December 29th 1970) with Donna Rancourt. Daughter Nancee Borgnine (aka Gina Kemins-Borgnine) (born August 18th 1952) with Rhoda Kemins.
Father-in-law of Kim Borgnine.
For 30 years, between 1972 and 2002, he marched in Milwaukee's annual Great Circus Parade as the "Grand Clown.".
Former member of the Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC).
Had both knees replaced. [1999]
Has periodically performed as the "Grand Clown" for The Great Circus Parade in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, since the 1970s.
Has the distinction of appearing in more of the 100 Most Enjoyably Awful Movies of All Time as listed in Razzie Award-founder John Wilson's book "The Official Razzie Movie Guide" than any other actor -- A total of four: The Adventurers (1969), The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968)The Oscar (1966), and The Poseidon Adventure (1972).
He auditioned for the lead role in Marty (1955) while shooting Bad Day at Black Rock (1955) in Lone Pine, Calif.
He spent 10 years in the Navy prior to acting.
He was made an honorary U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Terry Scott on October 15, 2004. He served in the U.S. Navy for ten years from 1935-1945 and left the service as a Gunner's Mate 1st Class.
His car licence plate is BORG9.
His fifth wife, Tova Borgnine, is almost 25 years his junior.
His former "McHale's Navy" (1962) co-star, Tim Conway, was reunited with him in having a recurring role on "SpongeBob SquarePants" (1999), on separate episodes of each show.
His mother, Anna Borgnine, died in 1949, after a long battle against tuberculosis, just days before his first wedding.
His parents were Charles Borgnine and Anna Boselli (old family countess), who had emigrated from Carpi (near Modena) Italy.
His second ex-wife Katy Jurado, died in 2002. He referred to her as "beautiful, but a tiger.".
His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is at 6324 Hollywood Blvd.
In 2007, Borgnine became the first Oscar winner for Best Actor to be still alive on his 90th birthday.
Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1996.
Involved in an air crash in 1996.
Is a Master Mason and has been elevated to the 33rd Degree in Scottish Rite.
Is an active Freemason and is presently the Honorary Chairman of the Scottish Rite RiteCare Program, which sponsors 175 Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinics, Centers, and Programs nationwide.
Is an active Republican.
Is the only actor to star in all four 'Dirty Dozen' films.
Lives in the same Beverly Hills, CA home that he bought in 1965.
Made a special Academy Awards appearance in 1998, at the The 70th Annual Academy Awards (1998) (TV), and in 2005 at the The 75th Annual Academy Awards (2003) (TV) and participated in the Oscar Winners Tribute sequence along with other Academy Award winners.
On February 5 2007, he received California's highest civilian honor, the California Commendation Medal. It was presented to him on the set of A Grandpa for Christmas (2007) (TV) by Major General William H. Wade II, Adjutant General and Commander of the California National Guard for a lifetime of exceptionally meritorious service as well as recognizing Borgnine's "heartfelt advocacy on behalf of military personnel and veterans on many fronts, including the California National Guard".
On March 3, 2006, he was given a standing ovation when introduced at the National Italian American Foundation's salute to the Academy Awards, which was celebrating 78 years of Italian-American Oscar winners and nominees. Former Motion Picture Producers Association of America chief Jack Valenti co-chaired the dinner, and Italian-Americans in attendance included Connie Stevens, Dom DeLuise, Robert Loggia and Al Martino as well as Italian actor Franco Nero.
Referenced in 'Weird Al' Yankovic's song "Your Horoscope for Today."
Remained good friends with Tim Conway during and after "McHale's Navy" (1962).
Speaks fluent Italian.
There is an instrumental techno track called "Theme From 'Ernest Borgnine'" by the artist Squarepusher on the album 'Feed Me Weird Things' (1996, Rephlex Records UK).
Tortilla Flats, a restaurant in New York City, has had an obsession with Ernest Borgnine since the mid-80s. A booth is completely covered in his photos, and they have a yearly Ernest Borgnine night. Staff members are put through rigorous Borgnine trivia training when hired. While he had no involvement in the restaurant, he has made occasional visits, and wore one of their shirts when filming "Captiva Island" (1995).
Twice-wed Borgnine married thrice-wed Broadway diva Ethel Merman in 1964. Their marriage was dissolved after 32 days. They had announced their impending nuptials at the legendary New York night spot P.J. Clarke's, but Borgnine, who was riding high as the star of "McHale's Navy" (1962) at the time, said the marriage began unraveling on their honeymoon, when he received more fan attention than she did. The competitive Merman was left seething. "By the time we got home, it was hell on earth," Borgnine recalled in a 2001 interview. "And after 32 days I said to her, 'Madam, bye.'" Borgnine went on to marry a third time, but Merman remained single after her divorce. In her 1978 biography, she devoted a chapter of her autobiography to the marriage: It consisted of one blank page.
Was presented with the Screen Actors Guild's Lifetime Achievement Award in January 2011 by Morgan Freeman and Tim Conway.
Was the very first "center square" on "The Hollywood Squares" (1965) (during its premiere week in October 1966).
Was/is good friends with: Eddie Albert, Michael Landon, Telly Savalas, George Kennedy, Angie Dickinson, Don Rickles, Frank Sinatra, Montgomery Clift and George Lindsey.
While on location in Mexico filming Vera Cruz (1954), he and fellow cast member Charles Bronson found themselves with some extra time on their hands and decided to go to the nearest town to get some cigarettes. Still in full costume -- including bandoliers and pistols -- they mounted their horses and headed out. Along the way they were spotted by a truckful of Mexican "federales" -- federal police -- who mistook them for bandits and held them at gunpoint until their identities could be verified.
Winner of the Best Actor Award for _"Night Club" (2011)_ at the 6th Annual Staten Island Film Festival, June 12 2011 and the Golden Door International Film Festival, October 16 2011.