Ernest Borgnine - Ernest Borgnine: A Look Back At A Great Man's Life

The American film and TV actor, real name Ermes Effron Borgnino, was born on 24 January, 1917, and passed away on Sunday (08Jul12) after suffering kidney failure.

Borgnine joined the United States Navy in 1935 after graduating from high school and was discharged in 1941. He enrolled again when the U.S. entered World War II and served until 1945.

Once his naval career ended, Borgnine's mother encouraged him to pursue acting jobs and he landed his first role in play State of the Union in 1947. He made his Broadway debut as a nurse in the play Harvey.

In 1951 Borgnine moved to Los Angeles and, after a series of small roles in Hollywood productions, he received his first big movie break in 1953 classic From Here to Eternity. His big screen debut featured one scene in which his character Fatso Judson beat co-star Frank Sinatra's leading man to death.

Three years later, Borgnine was an Oscar winner thanks to his portrayal of the title role in director Delbert Mann's Marty.

His other film hits included The Poseidon Adventure, Emperor of the North Pole, The Vikings, Escape From New York, The Dirty Dozen, Ice Station Zebra, The Wild Bunch and The Flight of the Phoenix.

On TV, he enjoyed runs in Future Cop, Wagon Train and he led the cast on MCHale's Navy. He also provided the voice for Mermaid Man on SpongeBob SquarePants.

Borgnine became the oldest performer to receive a Golden Globe nomination for his role in 2007 Tv film A Grandpa for Christmas and was handed a lifetime achievement award at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards last year (11).

He died after recently completing what will be his final film, The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez.