Commander McHale, Ernest Borgnine, Dies at Age 95

Less than a week after the death of Andy Griffith, another much beloved TV veteran has passed. Ernest Borgnine, known to audiences everywhere as Lt. Commander Quinton McHale, died today, Sunday, July 8, at the age of 95. Cause of death was renal failure.



The Oscar winning actor for his role in the theatrical film, Marty, won over TV viewers in the lead role of the comedy series, McHale's Navy, that aired for four seasons. The successful World War II comedy program also starred Tim Conway, with whom Borgnine remained good friends.

Over the years, Borgnine acted as much as possible, never caring about billing as he aged. He just wanted to work. He was a regular in other series, including Airwolf and The Single Guy. He also appeared in some TV movies, such as A Grandpa for Christmas and The Wishing Well.

Born in Connecticut, his personal life was far less successful than his theatrical one. He was married a total of five times, including a brief union with star, Ethel Merman, that followed the finalization of his divorce to actress, Katy Jurado, within weeks.

Borgnine, who died at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, is survived by his wife of 39 years, Tova, and four children from his previous marriages. According to the Associated Press, they were all at his side at his time of death.