Ernie: The Autobiography

by Ernest Borgnine

Overview

We wept at his Oscar-winning role in Marty. . .we gasped when he took on Frank Sinatra in From Here to Eternity. . .we were riveted by his compelling performances in The Dirty Dozen, Bad Day at Black Rock, and Ice Station Zebra. . .and we laughed at his television sitcom McHale's Navy. We loved all of Ernest Borgnine's many portrayals, but what did we know about the man behind the famous roles? Now for the first time, he tells us in his own words the fascinating story of his life in this witty, candid, and revealing memoir.

For more than fifty years, Ernest--or "Ernie" as he's known to his friends--has been one of the most recognized, celebrated stars in Hollywood as well as a respected, talented actor, and a living legend. Stretching from his childhood as the son of Italian immigrants to a spectacular career that is still thriving in his 91st year, from the early days of live TV to the voiceovers for The Simpsons and SpongeBob SquarePants, Ernie tells of the trials and tribulations on his road to fame, the friendships he shared with some of the silver screen's biggest stars, and the glamorous leading ladies he loved.

Acclaimed for his ability to play sensitive and tough-guy roles equally well, he was also famous for squaring off against some of Hollywood's most formidable actresses--including Bette Davis in A Catered Affair and Joan Crawford in Johnny Guitar. Recalling his experiences starring in classic movies such as The Poseidon Adventure, The Wild Bunch, and Escape from New York, he reveals personal insights and irresistible stories about cinema's greatest icons--including Spencer Tracy, James Stewart, Kirk Douglas, Montgomery Clift, Gary Cooper, Janet Leigh, Raquel Welch, Gene Hackman, Rock Hudson, Sammy Davis, Jr., Tony Curtis, Alan Ladd, Glenn Ford, and Burt Lancaster. And with characteristic frankness, he also talks about his off-screen loves and passions.



A must for every film buff, Ernie: An Autobiography is a fascinating memoir--filled with secrets, well-remembered details, and never-before-told stories--of a star who has thrived in the changing world of Hollywood for more than half a century, and endeared himself to legions of fans everywhere.

"(Borgnine's) anecdotes are gleefully self-deprecating. . .he comes off as the kind of guy you'd like to have a beer with." --NY Post

"With astute observations on the Hollywood hierarchy and tales about everyone from Lee Marvin and Steve McQueen to Bette Davis and Kim Novak, (Borgnine) writes with an unassuming, no-nonsense tone. His love of filmmaking and his respect for his fellow actors permeates the pages of this engaging and satisfying memoir." --Publishers Weekly

"Modest and sweet. . .nicely boiled. Borgnine neither lashes out nor pulls punches." --Entertainment Weekly

". . .a satisfying detailed account of a decades-long career that also included memorable roles in durable blockbusters like The Wild Bunch and The Poseidon Adventure. He comes across as an unspoiled, nice guy who enjoyed his success. . .One of the finest unghosted Hollywood autobiographies." --ALA Booklist

"A super read. . .Ernie: The Autobiography by Ernest Borgnine is as nifty as he is." --Cindy Adams, NY Post

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780806531502
Publisher:	Kensington
Publication date:	07/28/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	646,272
File size:	591 KB

About the Author

Daaimah S. Poole is a mother and Temple University graduate with a degree in journalism. She began writing her first novel, Yo Yo Love, at age 19 while working as a receptionist at her aunt’s beauty salon. Rave reviews from her aunt’s clients encouraged her to seek a publisher, which she did, and so began a very promising writing career. She is the author of Diamond Playgirls. Daaimah is a Philadelphia native. Visit her at www.daaimahspoole.com.

Table of Contents

Foreword George Lindsey ix

Preface xi

1 In the Beginning 1

2 Welcome to America 3

3 Back Home 9

4 Connecticut Memories 11

5 A Little Family History 19

6 Borgnine's Navy 25

7 Adventures at Sea 30

8 Home Again...but Not for Long 42

9 Postwar Blues 48

10 All the World Really Is a Stage 53

11 Escape to New York 61

12 Escape to L.A. 68

13 From Here to Eternity...and Beyond 73

14 Go West, Young Family 81

15 Good Day at Black Rock 91

16 Several Close Calls 96

17 Oscar and Me 102

18 A Piece of No Action 107

19 Talkin' Pictures, Part One 111

20 Talkin' Pictures, Part Two 121

21 Talkin' Pictures, Part Three: Abroad 129

22 At Sea Again: McHale's Navy Is Launched 135

23 Everything's Coming Up Roses-Not 142

24 The Fourth Estate 147

25 Back to the Big Screen 150

26 Back in the Saddle, Big-Time 158

27 Things Go Downhill for a While 163

28 Clowning Around 172

29 The Poseidon Adventure (1972) 174

30 Havin' More Fun 180

31 Tova 186

32 This 'n' That 189

33 Back in the Sandals Again 195

34 Sam Peckinpah Again...and Beyond 201

35 A Couple of Good Friends 208

36 Back to Work 216

37 Going Home to TV 223

38 And Now for Some Things Completely Different 228

39 More Special Folk 232

40 Dedicated to the Ones I Love 239

41 Odds and the End 243

Acknowledgments 247

Index 249

Editorial Reviews

For longevity, no top-flight actor in film history can match Ernest Borgnine: In 1956, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. In 2008, at the age of 90, he received a Golden Globe nomination for the best performance by an actor in a mini-series or motion picture made for television. Borgnine's Ernie recaps an astonishing life that includes a WWII-era Navy stint that lasted ten years, a late (!) career start in acting, followed rapidly by major successes in From Here to Eternity, Marty (which won him his Oscar), The Dirty Dozen, Bad Day at Black Rock, and The Wild Bunch, to name but a few of his major films. And we haven't mentioned his five marriages (including one to Ethel Merman) and his long-running television hit, McHale's Navy. Not bad for the son of Italian immigrants.

"Now for the first time, (Borgnine) tells us in his own words the fascinating story of his life in this witty, candid, and revealing memoir. A must for every film buff. Fascinating. . .filled with secrets, well-remembered details, and never-before-told stories—of a star who has thrived in the changing world of Hollywood for more than half a century, and endeared himself to legions of fans everywhere." —Turner Classic Movies, TCM.com

From the Publisher