Ernest Borgnine was born Ermes Effron Borgnino on January 24, 1917, in Hamden, Connecticut, to Anna (Boselli) and Camillo Borgnino, both Italian immigrants.
He was an only child and enjoyed sports, particularly boxing, but showed no interest in acting. After graduating from high school, Borgnine joined the United States Navy at the age of 18 and served for ten years until leaving in 1945.
After his military service, Borgnine worked in factories before his mother suggested he pursue a career in acting. He enrolled at the Randall School of Drama in Hartford and later joined Robert Porterfield's Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, where he stayed for four years.
Borgnine's big break came in 1949 when he made his Broadway debut in "Harvey." In 1951, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a film career, making his debut in "The Whistle at Eaton Falls" the same year.
His breakthrough role came in 1953 when he played Sergeant "Fatso" Judson in "From Here to Eternity," earning him numerous supporting roles as "heavies" in dramas and westerns. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in "Marty" (1955).
Throughout his career, Borgnine appeared in numerous films, including "The Catered Affair," "Ice Station Zebra," and "Emperor of the North." He also starred in the popular television series "McHale's Navy" from 1962 to 1966 and later appeared in "Airwolf" and "The Single Guy."
Borgnine was married to Tova Traesnaes from 1973 until his death and had a long-standing passion for acting, which spanned 61 years. He was active in charity work and received numerous awards and honorary doctorates throughout his career.
