RIP Ernest Borgnine at 95

I watched 'Marty' about a year ago. Brilliant, beautiful and sensitive film in an era where there wasn't a whole lot of that.

Hell, I didn't realize he was in Superfuzz. That used to play on HBO just about every day when I was 12. Always remember the scene where the cop catches a bullet with his teeth.

One of my favorite lines of George Carlin's standup: Who stole my nude pictures of Ernest Borgnine? RIP to a great actor.

 

Glad you brought this up, BTE. I recall it being a pretty darned good made-for-TV flick on ABC (IIRC).

"Bad Day at Black Rock" and "Ice Station Zebra" also came to mind upon learning this news. As someone else mentioned, Borgnine seemed well grounded and truly appreciative of the success he attained.

RIP.

 

Same here. I always wanted that helicopter.

 

Marty is a timeless classic, but my favorite Borgnine role was the aforementioned Dutch from the Wild Bunch. "PIKE!!!!!"

 

On that last part, there are numerous stories of people being picked up hitchhiking by Borgnine in the 1970s and him helping them out. Almost to the point of urban legend, but apparently true. of course, I can't seem to find articles to back that statement up right now...

 

He scared the hell out of me in The Devil's Rain.

 

. . . and husband of Ethel Merman (NOT Berman) . . . for about twenty minutes.

 

Herb Stempel just cursed and doesn't know why.

RIP to one hell of an actor. He always reminded me of Eli Wallach in that he was someone who could be imminently likable but then also play a great villain. An actor's actor.

 

Nice pull.



"Oh, no. Oh, no. Don't, don't do that. Not Marty. I sawr Marty three times. The Best Picture from two years ago, and I don't know it?"

 

What a character - but a nice one. Glad he found the right fit with his last wife. Showed a lot of class too; never bad-mouthed Ethel Merman though she read him to filth. He had a nice work ethic as well - still plugging well into his 90s. Just an all around good natured guy who'll be missed. Rest in peace Ernest.

 

Also more than capably played a sadistic psychopath in "Emperor of the North" alongside Lee Marvin.