Hard not to associate Ernest with Marty. A great actor, though.

Then you lose out just like everyone else who filters screen actors through a political lens before they allow themselves to enjoy or avoid their work.

I never knew his political leanings and – assuming you are correct – I don't care. He's an AMERICAN, he's served his country and he has the right to believe whatever he wants to believe.

Are you sure you are thinking of the right person, this is what he said on a TV interview a few years back:

"It hit me when I was given the Medal of Honor over at the Ellis Island thing, you know, because my parents came over from Italy although I was born here in New Haven, Connecticut. But, you know, I took it upon myself to speak that day about the people that were around me, generals, admirals, police chiefs, everything that you could possibly imagine, all from different parts of the world who have come to this country to make this great country.

And people forget that, you know, people forget that they came from people from the other side, you know. It’s an amazing country. People just don’t realize how wonderful this place is. And they just take it as a lock and ‘oh yes, I deserve this.’ You don’t deserve anything. You’ve got to prove that you’re a good American by being an American. That’s what I feel anyway."

Did you see him on Fox and Friends a year or two ago? Whe Steve Doocy asked him how he stayed so active? And Ernest kind of leaned over as if to confide in Doocy (although his mic picked it up perfectly) and said "I masturbate…a lot". Pretty awful mental picture there….
I'm sure it's on youtube somewhere

Didn't we celebrate this ultimate dude in June too? Ah, he deserves it.

I'm always amazed that that startling action scene starts with just two words "Let's go." Can you imagine a director (or a writer) having that much confidence in a scene today?

He was in Merlin's Shop of Mysticall Wonders, and for that, I will always be grateful.

Mr. Borgnine was in the first PG movie I ever saw: The Poseiden Adventure. This film sticks out in my mind mainly because you don't give a fig about any of the characters and really don't care if any of them are saved because they are so obnoxious. Borgnine leads the way as a loud crass cop who screams his lines.

I prefer to remember him in McHale's Navy. Loved that show as a small kid. Also, he played a tear-jerking role as an angel on Little House on the Prairie. (Is there any other kind on that show?)

Saw him on Ice Station Zebra last night as a Russian who went over to the West but turned out to be a double agent. A character of that much nuance seemed a little beyond his capabilities. I though Jim Brown did a better job than EB, sadly. Still, it was interesting seeing Rock Hudson as a submarine commander confronting Soviet paratroopers at the North Pole. And not an actress in the whole production.

I spent a lot of time with my grandparents while growing up. My grandpa used to watch old reruns of "McHale's Navy." And I've seen him in several sappy Hallmark movies the past few years (I'm a girl, what can I say?) The funniest picture I have in my head about EB was when Michael Moore gave his tirade a few years back at the Oscars. When the camera panned to the audience EB looked really angry. I think he could have taken MM. Happy B-day, Mr. Borgnine!

Happy Birthday Brother Master Mason!

I hope the money gets to the right place. I liked the performances. It was a horrible shock to see how Muhammad Ali looks, though. And bless his heart, Clint Eastwood finally looks kind of frail and elderly.

Happy birthday, Mr. Borgnine!

My favorite memories are: Jesus of Nazareth, The Black Hole, Airwolf, and television's The Single Guy.

Ernest Borgnine NEVER gave a bad performance or was ever anything but memorable. Even when he was in a stinker like "The Oscar" (playing a corrupt private eye) he just hit his marks and let it rip. He is part of one of the all-time great iconic images in film history – The penultimate scene from "The Wild Bunch" where Ernie, Bill Holden, Ben Johnson and Warren Oates purposefully walk fromt the brothel to what they know will be their doom. After watching the confrontation between Borgnine and Burt Lancaster in "From Here to Eternity" yo have to hit pause and mop up the testosterone. Happy Birthday to one of the all time best!!!!

Ahhh…I dunno Ernie … What do you wanna do tonight…….Happy Birthday Buddy.

@Traintracker –
You know, after reading some of the subsequent posts here, there seems to be a growing indication that you don't know what you're talking about.

I was privileged to work with Ernest Borgnine years ago, on a television show, "The Single Guy". The man was a consummate professional but what I remember most was how gracious he was, between takes with me, sharing a story or two about his experiences working in Hollywood. Such a good guy. I had a ball.

I would add, "Bad Day at Black Rock" and "The Flight of the Phoenix" to the wonderful list of films previously mentioned. And yes, growing up, I never missed an episode of "McHale's Navy". Pure joy.

Happy Birthday, Ernest Borgnine, a stand up guy and one of the all-time greats.

I have to admit, "The Oscar" is one of my all time guilty pleasures. Just delicious. Stephen Boyd is such a heel and a hoot. And God bless Tony Bennett, but here…all I can say is…wow.

@Jimmy Arone –

"The Flight of the Phoenix" – great film…and one of the last great James Stewart pictures.

There is a great gag shot from the film that has the entire male cast of the picture standing on the wings of the plane looking at the camera. Then the next shot has them all facing the other way and looking downward as if they are urinating. Can't find it and can't recall where I saw it. American Cinematographer years ago, perhaps.

You realize that everyone masterbates, right?

Of course! But I'm not sure I want to hear them talk about it in public. (and yes, I know Borgnine was making an aside)

Diagram of the plane and some background on the movie
http://segalbooks.blogspot.com/2008/11/flight-of-...

Screenshots – Ernie not looking so good
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReviews8/flight-...

Geez, where does traintracker get the "leftist loon" tag? He's a fine actor and seems pretty far from left. I'd like to see some evidence of this as hanging a tag on someone (in this case leftist) without backing up the statement is a tactic of the typical liberal.

Thanks…very cool.

I forgot, we have to get our entertainment through television and movies. It's the law. No thank you. I think we can do better if we try. This is why actors are rich. We make them so. Without us, they would be nothing. By my choice, however, I have appreciated Ernie.

Mr. Borgnine is one of the last movie stars still standing. While he may have been in a few bad movies, he was never bad hisself. Teamed with Hollywood titans like Tracy ,Holden,Ryan he was never eclipsed. He could tear up the screen with the best of the beat Costars like Walter Brennan and Anthony Quinn! Damned good on Songebob Square pants also! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TROOPER…Good Work! Wishing you another 96 years of good fortune!

Borgnine is a great unsung backer of the United States Navy, having served as a Bluejacket himself before he was an actor. He routinely shows up at just about any Navy function to which invited. All below the radar to keep the focus on the Sailors involved. I don't know where Traintracker gets off calling him a "leftist loon" referring to some non-specific "liberal rant". Nothing like a BS defamatory accusation for Borgnine or his fans here to have to refute. Yo Traintracker! Where's your proof?

Now, that… THAT… That's what true leftists do to their political enemies: They concoct baseless accusations of wrongdoing that gain a life of their own when not vigorously disproven. That's right out of Alinsky's book. Let's just say for the purpose of this blog stream that Ernest Borgnine is a great American character actor whose politics are not knowable — and irrelevant at any rate. God bless you, Ernie! Jeff Cole/Marine Rifleman (In Repose).