In Loving Memory
1917 - 2012

Ernest Borgnine plays the Italian-American descent veteran of World War II and the Korean War who owns the company Santini Air that specializes in performing aerial stunts for Hollywood film productions. He also raised Both String and St, John after their parents was killed in a boat accident. He also served as flight engineer on Airwolf. He had one daughter, Sally Ann Santini who died by an overdose, two nieces, Holly Matthews and Jo Santini.

​

Borgnine made his film debut as Bill Street in The Whistle at Eaton Falls (1951). His career took off in 1953 when he was cast in the role of Sergeant "Fatso" Judson in From Here to Eternity (1953). This memorable performance led to numerous supporting roles as "heavies" in a steady string of dramas and westerns. He played against type in 1955 by securing the lead role of Marty Piletti, a shy and sensitive butcher, in Marty (1955). He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance. Throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, Borgnine performed memorably in such films as The Catered Affair (1956), Ice Station Zebra (1968) and Emperor of the North Pole (1973). Between 1962 and 1966, he played Lt. Commander Quinton McHale in the popular television series McHale's Navy(1962).

​

Borgnine died of kidney failure on July 8, 2012 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California with his family at his side. He was 95 years old.