Ernest Borgnine
Actor
About This Interview
In his two-and-a-half hour interview, Ernest Borgnine (1917-2012) discusses his youth and the influence of his mother on his future acting ambitions. He reflects on enlisting in the Navy in the mid 1930s and on his service during World War II. He talks about his first appearances on television, including villainous roles on the DuMont children's science fiction show Captain Video and His Video Rangers, and speaks of the role for which he is most associated - that of "Marty" in the 1955 film of the same name. He details his experience working with writer Paddy Chayefsky and director Delbert Mann (who had collaborated on the original television version)— and recounts stories about his audition for the part and of his Oscar win for Best Actor. He details the popular 1960's sitcom McHale's Navy, describes the production schedule, and gives his impressions of the show's ensemble cast. Borgnine recalls appearing on The Hollywood Squares, The Tonight Show, and (in an Emmy-nominated performance) the television movie "All Quiet on the Western Front." He chronicles his feature film roles in From Here to Eternity and in the disaster film classic The Poseidon Adventure, and comments on his work with directors Robert Aldrich and Sam Peckinpah,. He briefly speaks of his roles in the television series Airwolf, The Single Guy, and Spongebob Squarepants (he provides the voice of "Mermaid Man"). The remarkably vital 91-year-old Borgnine spoke with humor and enthusiasm and a clear zest for life. Henry Colman and Jenni Matz conducted the interview on October 10, 2008 in Beverly Hills, CA.
Related To This Video
Featured Content
Video: Full first episode of McHale's Navy, "An Ensign for McHale" (airdate: October 11, 1962)
Embeddable clips from Ernest Borgnine's Archive interview
Watch clips from filmmaker Jeff Krulik's documentary "Borgnine on the Bus"
here!
YouTube video player - HTML5 compatible.
Highlights
Ernest Borgnine on how he went from a film star to television for McHale's Navy ; some considered it "lowering" himself, he considers it all entertainment
Clip begins at: 11:56- Ernest Borgnine on making a character come alive with your voice
Clip begins at: 19:00 
Ernest Borgnine on how the television series McHale's Navy came about; his initial reluctance
Clip begins at: 01:26- Ernest Borgnine on his "Mermaid Man" character on Spongebob Squarepants; on doing voiceover roles
Clip begins at: 18:22
Interview
- Part 1
- On his childhood and early influences; on his grandfather being financial adviser to King Victor Emmanuel of Italy; on living in Italy for several years; on his mother's death; on his mother suggesting he be an actor; on joining the Navy and guarding the Atlantic coast during World War II;
Clip begins at: 0:82 - On attending Yale and then transferring to the Randall School of Dramatic Arts at 28 years old on the GI Bill; on working at the Barter Theater of Virginia; on transitioning to Broadway; on working with Joe E. Brown in a Broadway production of "Harvey"
Clip begins at: 15:16 - On working in live television; on getting cast in Captain Video and His Video Rangers; on the types of roles he was getting; on working with Delbert Mann and Paddy Chayefsky on the movie Marty; on how life experiences contribute to being an actor; on bringing something original to a role; on preparing for a role and basing characters on people he knew; on his role in Emperor of the North; on winning the Oscar for Marty and having a bet with Jerry Lewis; on how winning the Oscar changed his career
Clip begins at: 31:00 - Part 2
- On how Seven Men Against the Sea turned into him starring in McHale's Navy; on getting into a fight with McHale's Navy producer Edward Montagne; on acting in dramatic and comedic roles; on his co-stars on McHale's Navy
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On memorable moments from McHale's Navy; on a typical work week on McHale's Navy; on the show's laugh track; on the film of McHale's Navy; on the final episode and popularity of McHale's Navy
Clip begins at: 23:05 - On being "Center Square" on Hollywood Squares; on his many appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson; on appearing as a clown on The Dean Martin Show; on the short-lived show Future Cop
Clip begins at: 34:42 - On working with Franco Zeffirelli on the miniseries "Jesus of Nazareth"; on the thoughts on saying "I love you" that he expressed on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson; on the CBS production of "All Quiet on the Western Front"; on some of his feature films and directors he's worked with - Robert Aldrich - and working with Sam Peckinpah
Clip begins at: 44:25 - Part 3
- On CBS' "All Quiet On The Western Front"; on The Poseidon Adventure; on how The Poseidon Adventure almost didn't get made; on Airwolf - his character, the premise, the popularity; on how he went from a film star to television for McHale's Navy -- some considered it "lowering" himself, he considers it all entertainment
Clip begins at: 0:21 - On The Single Guy; on the new generation of fans he has from Spongebob Squarepants ; on his "Mermaid Man" character on Spongebob Squarepant s; on doing voiceover role; on the documentary Ernest Borgnine on the Bus; on his Golden Globe nomination for Grandpa for Christmas; on his 200th film
Clip begins at: 13:38 - On his longevity in the business; on B-roll of pictures from his career - "Much Ado About Nothing", the British Film Academy Award; on his book Ernie, on photos in his book from McHale's Navy
Clip begins at: 25:48
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Professions
A wonderful man and a great character actor who told it like it is. Too bad his body gave out as I would have liked to see him acting at 100!
Scott Aitken, Meaford, Ontario
A great actor.
Ernesr Borgnine brought total sincerity to every role. A genial, well spoken gentleman whose like we won't see again.
CONDOLENCES TO ERNIE'S FAMILY.
ANGELA DOWNIE, EDINBURGH ,SCOTLAND.U.K.
Bless you Mr Borgnine! I have fond memories of watching you on screen since i was a kid.You were a great actor,and a man full of good humour.There genuinely will not be another one like you.All the best.
First class all the way, RIP Ernie...
RIP, Ernie.
RIP Ernest Borgnine. Your work will always live on.
I want to do an essay on television and all i needed was this one web page and all is done, brilliant, very interesting and very varied in information.-Arthur van der Vant
he masturbates a lot. seriously...look it up!
God keep him Well. Another example...of a Real Person, never took on a Hollywood persona.
"EEEEVIIIIIIILL!!"
as a safety copy, i would save the hard panned interview (ernest on the left, interviewers on the right, but i would mix in the interviewers voices a little bit more toward the center, also put a bit of compression or limiting on those voices. the woman's mic is too loud. i know nobody asked, but these are just my youtube musings. it goes without saying that ernest is great and i'm grateful to the archive.
Gosh, I sure was hopin' they'd ask'im 'bout plan 9 from outerspace. Damn!
No one rides my train with out a ticket!!!!!...lol, emperor of the north, love that movie.
Not only a wonderful actor but also a sweet man. The kind of guy you wish you had as a father or grandfather.
awesome
Too many questions about mchale's navy. Ask about posiden adventure, airwolf, Wild bunch,dirty dozen this is man is a legend
He looks younger than Jan-Michael Vincent. You all know what I mean, right?
I know Jan-Michael isn't to blame for the problems he has had in his life, and its kind of sad. Hopefully Jan-Michael has got his life back on track.
Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy unite!!!
They fucked up the sound on the R1 Emperor of the North DVD, if you ask me. The dialogue is way too high up in the mix, maybe other things too. I've seen a couple of other versions, in which the balance has been much better.
I'm sure Aldrich didn't mean it to sound like it does on the DVD.
Great movie, though! One of my favourites!
Oh, and I love Ernie. May he live even longer.
emperor of the north pole!! what a wild-eyed psycho!!! scary
Ho does look great and he was amazing with Jan-Michael Vincent on Airwolf...
Ernie has an infectious laugh! lol
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