Ernest Borgnine, the prolific film and television actor whose filmography spanned more than 60 years, died Sunday in Los Angeles of renal failure. He was 95.
After serving in the Navy during World War II, Borgnine started his acting career. His big break was in 1953’s “From Here to Eternity.” Shortly thereafter, he won an Oscar for Best Actor playing the eponymous character in “Marty.”
Borgnine often showed up in memorable and important works over the years. He had key roles in films such as “The Dirty Dozen,” “The Wild Bunch,” “The Poseidon Adventure,” and “Escape from New York,” among dozens of others. Perhaps his most famous role was as the lovable Lieutenant Commander Quinton McHale in the sitcom “McHale’s Navy.”
Borgnine kept active as an actor even until recently. His last high-profile film role was as a trusty CIA clerk in the Bruce Willis action vehicle “Red.” He is survived by his wife and four children.