Ernest Borgnine and his wife, Tova, chat with author Sidney Sheldon at a 1998 reception in New York. Borgnine was married five times, including a brief coupling with Broadway star Ethel Merman in 1964. (Robin Platzer / Associated Press / Twin Images)
Ernest Borgnine, a few days before his 90th birthday, made his motion picture debut in 1951 with three films: ”China Corsair,” “The Whistle at Eaton Falls” and “The Mob.” When he wasn’t working, he traveled the country in a custom-made bus called the Sunbum. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)
Ernest Borgnine and his wife, Tova, at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles in January 2011. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Actor Ernest Borgnine at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles in January 2011. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)