Ernest Borgnine

[Dirty Old Yank]

Good performances are easy to recognize and relatively common, which makes the reasons why an actor becomes a role model to us as children more difficult to describe. I'm not sure why I admired Ernest Borgnine particularly, he just seemed a nice fella (even when directed to lose his temper) and a unique performer. He didn't boast the iconic 'Hollywood' good looks that continue to make lesser actors huge stars. What he did boast was talent, won the Best Actor Oscar for his first film, if memory serves. I don't claim to know all his work, but Sam Peckinpah's "The Wild Bunch" is a favorite. Wish I'd met him.
RIP Ernest.
Tip of the hat to Harry for bringing his passing to our attention.

The obits have been coming so fast and furious lately, I chose not to mention Nicol Williamson at the time.
An extraordinary actor! RIP.

[harryfaversham]

Cheers for the tip DOY. I should have opened a new topic on him as well

[Tom Jones]

A great actor, I can’t remember a role I have seen him in, that I didn’t like.
The Vikings, Ice Station Zebra, The Poseidon Adventure, (I could keep going) were favourites of mine.
Well played sir.

[Dirty Old Yank]

I watched "The Wild Bunch" again and now realize why I admired him. His characters always seemed to smile in the face of adversity, he's the only one of four of The Wild Bunch that smiles as they march to certain death.
I even like "The Devil's Rain", though I haven't seen it in ages.
He doesn't laugh much at the end of that picture.
He melts.

[Ilovesteptoe]

What a great actor and what a career. I love him in that classic 1978 disaster movie "The Ghost of Flight 401 & The Poseidon Adventure 1972 film" not to mention as a kid in the Disney film "Black Hole" and the many Action movies he starred in plus TV series galore. Although he passed away at the grand old age of 95yrs which is a good innings in anyones eyes he will be sorely missed for sure.