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Ernest Borgnine was born Ermes Effron Borgnino on January 24, 1917 in Hamden, Connecticut. His parents were Anna (Boselli), who had emigrated from Carpi (MO), Italy, and Camillo Borgnino, who had emigrated from Ottiglio (AL), Italy. As an only child, Ernest enjoyed most sports, especially boxing, but took no real interest in acting. At age 18, after graduating from high school in New Haven, and undecided about his future career, he joined the United States Navy, where he stayed for ten years until leaving in 1945. After a few factory jobs, his mother suggested that his forceful personality could make him suitable for a career in acting, and Borgnine promptly enrolled at the Randall School of Drama in Hartford. After completing the course, he joined Robert Porterfield's famous Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, staying there for four years, undertaking odd jobs and playing every type of role imaginable. His big break came in 1949, when he made his acting debut on Broadway playing a male nurse in "Harvey".

In 1951, Borgnine moved to Los Angeles to pursue a movie career, and 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, despite strong competition from Spencer Tracy, Frank Sinatra, James Dean and James Cagney. 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 (1973). Between 1962 and 1966, he played Lt. Commander Quinton McHale in the popular television series McHale's Navy (1962). In early 1984, he returned to television as Dominic Santini in the action series Airwolf (1984) co-starring Jan-Michael Vincent, and in 1995, he was cast in the comedy series The Single Guy (1995) as doorman Manny Cordoba. He also appeared in several made-for-TV movies.

Ernest Borgnine has often stated that acting was his greatest passion. His amazing 61-year career (1951 - 2012) included appearances in well over 100 feature films and as a regular in three television series, as well as voice-overs in animated films such as All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 (1996), Small Soldiers (1998), and a continued role in the series SpongeBob SquarePants (1999). Between 1973 until his death, Ernest was married to Tova Traesnaes, who heads her own cosmetics company. They lived in Beverly Hills, California, where Ernest assisted his wife between film projects. When not acting, Ernest actively supported numerous charities and spoke tirelessly at benefits throughout the country. He has been awarded several honorary doctorates from colleges across the United States as well as numerous Lifetime Achievement Awards. In 1996, Ernest purchased a bus and traveled across the United States to see the country and meet his many fans. On December 17, 1999, he presented the University of North Alabama with a collection of scripts from his film and television career, due to his long friendship with North Alabama alumnus and actor George Lindsey (died May 6, 2012), who was an artist in residence at North Alabama.

Ernest Borgnine passed away aged 95 on July 8, 2012, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, of renal failure. He is survived by his wife Tova, their children and his younger sister Evelyn (1926-2013)

Billie Gibson was born on 21 December 1928 in Dike, Hopkins County, Texas, USA. She was an actress, known for The Shining (1980). She died on 8 July 2012 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, USA.

Bill Barker was born on 14 February 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor, known for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968) and MisteRogers (1961). He was married to Elsie Jean Barker. He died on 8 July 2012 in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, USA.

Helen Schustack was born on 13 February 1922. She was an actress, known for Frances (1982), The Rockford Files (1974) and Falcon Crest (1981). She was married to Edward Schustack. She died on 8 July 2012 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Don Barkham was born on 9 June 1935 in Swindon, Wiltshire, England, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for The Outsiders (1976), The Link Men (1970) and King's Men (1975). He died on 8 July 2012 in Sydney, Australia.

Paul Schierhorn was born in 1951 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Labou (2008), The Madam's Family: The Truth About the Canal Street Brothel (2004) and The Big Easy (1996). He was married to Maria Mason. He died on 8 July 2012 in Asheville, North Carolina, USA.

Toni Campbell was an actress, known for Mama (1949), The Christmas Tree (1958) and The 26th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1952). She died on 8 July 2012 in Tennessee, USA.

Billa Billa was an actor and writer, known for Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (1963) and Ragazze d'oggi (1955). He was married to Marco Zanuso. He died on 8 July 2012 in Milan, Lombardy, Italy.

John Williams was born on 27 October 1945 in Jackson, Mississippi, USA. He was married to Barbara Butts Williams. He died on 8 July 2012 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Ziggy Galko was born in September 1947. Ziggy is known for The New Avengers (1976). Ziggy died on 8 July 2012 in Canada.

Began his music career at the age of 11 playing bass drum with the Square Deal Social & Pleasure Club. He was the bass drummer, vocalist and assistant leader of the Treme Brass Band; known for his kazoo playing and singing as well, and has recorded a cd as a vocalist. Besides inspiring younger musicians with his playing, he served as a role model to many of them: trumpeter Kermit Ruffins calls Batiste his "total influence," saying that Batiste "taught [him] how to act, how to dress, how to feel about life." Internationally, Batiste has served as leader of the daily Moldejazz parade since 2000. He was king of the Krewe du Vieux for 2003.

Martin Pakledinaz was born on 1 September 1953 in Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA. He was a costume designer and set decorator, known for My Week with Marilyn (2011), Grand Isle (1991) and Margaret (2011). He died on 8 July 2012 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.

José Roberto Bertrami died on 8 July 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Zach Booher was born on 6 June 1990 in Mesa, Arizona, USA. Zach was a composer, known for Summer of Lost Love (2012). Zach died on 8 July 2012 in Wisconsin, USA.

Güngör Dilmen was born on 27 May 1930 in Tekirdag, Turkey. Güngör was a writer, known for Bagdat Hatun (1981) and I, Anatolia (2021). Güngör died on 8 July 2012 in Izmir, Turkey.