Chalk up another one for the "already thought he was dead" category. And the thing is that I thought that long ago before I saw him pop up in some random morning show interview. Then I didn't hear from him again so again thought he was dead. But he kept hanging on. Until now.
Film and television actor Ernest Borgnine passed away this past Sunday after suffering kidney failure. He was 95-years-old.
I didn't realize until just yesterday that I had been pronouncing his name wrong all these years. I kept saying it "Bor-ga-nine". I guess that 'g' is silent. Not to mention that there's not even another vowel in there where I was putting it. It just seemed to always have a better flow to it. Although I guess the correct pronunciation certainly makes much more sense.
Although I do have an affinity for the old tv shows, I don't recall Borgnine from the tv series that he was most known for. As a matter of fact, my first recognition of "McHale's Navy" was when Steve Martin played in the movie rendition. I had no idea it was once a show. I tried watching it when it was TVLand the other day and just wasn't feeling it.
What I do remember him for is his role in "The Poseidon Adventure". That was my earliest recollection of who he was. That movie stuck with me forever. Probably because I had thought for the longest time that it was based on the story of the Titanic. Or at least that it actually happened. It wouldn't be until years later that I realized it was just another movie released during the midst of the disaster film craze that Hollywood had trended at that time.
I was trying to remember what the other movies were that I knew Borgnine best for. To do so I went to IMDB to assist. Dude has had TONS of acting roles. He apparently never stopped acting since he first started clear back in the 1950s. That's mad impressive. Looks like he was about due for a rest.
Rest in peace, Mr. Borgnine.
