Born Ermes Effron Borgnino in Hamden, Conn., on Jan. 24, 1917, Borgnine was the son of Italian immigrants. His parents separated when he was 2, and his mother took him to live in Italy, returning after a few years.
Borgnine graduated from New Haven High School in 1935, then worked a few weeks as a vegetable truck driver before enlisting in the Navy as an apprentice seaman. He was discharged two months before the attack on Pearl Harbor and promptly reenlisted. He spent the war as a gunner’s mate on a destroyer.
After his discharge, Borgnine returned home, unsure of what he was going to do.
Finally, his mother suggested he give acting a shot. After all, she told him, “You’re always making a fool of yourself in front of people.”
Wild Thing’s comment.………..
He was a good man, a Veteran and a terrific actor. R.I.P.
Yes, he was a good man.
I always enjoyed his acting. I saw him occassionaly on Johnny Carson and Ernie was always personable and down to earth. Not much left of the Wild Bunch now.