Ernest Borgnine was known as one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, famous for his powerful performances, broad smile, and ability to portray both heroes and villains convincingly.

However, beneath his cheerful, larger-than-life persona lay hidden struggles, complicated relationships, and one infamous feud that he could never quite forgive.

Born Ermes Effron Borgnino in 1917 to Italian immigrant parents in Hamden, Connecticut, Ernest’s early years were filled with upheaval.

His parents’ separation sent him briefly to Italy, before returning to America, where he navigated the complexities of a changing identity.

His youth showed no early signs of an acting future—Borgnine was more passionate about sports than stages, and after high school, he enlisted in the Navy, serving diligently during World War II.

It was only after encouragement from his mother that he turned towards acting, stepping onto the stage at the humble Barter Theatre in Virginia, where his pay often consisted of vegetables and occasional applause.

Hollywood soon recognized his raw talent, leading him to roles that marked cinematic history.

His chilling portrayal of Sergeant Fatso Judson in *From Here to Eternity* (1953) established him as an actor capable of intense villainy, while his Oscar-winning performance in *Marty* (1955), playing a kind-hearted butcher searching for love, proved his astonishing versatility.

From villain to hero, Borgnine was never afraid to push his limits, often embracing characters who defied simple categorization.

Yet behind the scenes, Borgnine’s life was as turbulent as his career was illustrious.

His personal life was filled with drama, heartbreak, and scandal, evidenced by five marriages, each leaving a profound impact on him.

His brief marriage to Broadway legend Ethel Merman lasted barely five weeks and ended bitterly, famously commemorated by Merman in her autobiography with a blank page—a silent, powerful statement that haunted Borgnine for decades.

However, despite his turbulent romantic history, Borgnine finally found lasting love with his fifth wife, Norwegian entrepreneur Tova Traesnaes, whom he described as the true anchor of his life.

Their enduring bond lasted nearly four decades, offering Borgnine stability he had long sought but rarely found.

Professionally, Borgnine’s journey was equally remarkable.

After winning an Oscar, he initially rejected television as beneath him, famously turning down the lead role in *The Real McCoys*, believing TV to be merely a passing fad.

Yet, his perspective shifted dramatically after meeting a young terminally ill fan, realizing the profound reach and emotional impact television could offer.

This revelation led him to embrace roles on shows like *McHale’s Navy*, where his charm, comedic timing, and real-life naval experience combined to create a beloved character who resonated deeply with audiences.

However, there was one particular co-star Borgnine never forgave—a conflict rooted in the notoriously tense set of the 1954 western *Johnny Guitar*, starring the explosive Joan Crawford and Mercedes McCambridge.

While Borgnine himself maintained a cautious friendship with Crawford, her relentless feud with McCambridge left him shaken.

He witnessed firsthand Crawford’s alarming temper, including violent tantrums, thrown costumes, and an infamous incident in which she hurled hot coffee at a young production assistant, causing second-degree burns.

Borgnine, already experienced with the intensity of Hollywood’s darker side, described working with Crawford as “walking on eggshells while juggling dynamite.”

He respected her talent but feared her unpredictability.

Yet even the explosive Crawford wasn’t the co-star who left the deepest scar on Borgnine’s memory.

That distinction belonged to Spencer Tracy, his co-star in the tense drama *Bad Day at Black Rock* (1955).

Working with Tracy—already an intimidating figure known for improvisational brilliance—shook Borgnine to his core.

Their famous diner fight scene, a grueling day of filming that included a real accidental punch, was not only physically exhausting but psychologically punishing.

Borgnine felt repeatedly undermined by Tracy’s unflinching confidence and unexpected line changes, experiencing an almost unbearable sense of inadequacy.

Though Tracy later recommended Borgnine for the role that would win him his Oscar in *Marty*, Borgnine never truly forgave the humiliation he endured on set, carrying that feeling with him throughout his career.

In the later years of his life, Ernest Borgnine continued to work tirelessly, charming a new generation of fans as the voice of Mermaid Man in the animated hit *SpongeBob SquarePants*.

Even at age 95, just two weeks before his death in 2012, he was recording lines, proving his enduring love for acting.

Ultimately, Borgnine’s journey was defined by both triumph and turmoil, filled with unforgettable roles, complicated relationships, and one feud he carried quietly in his heart, a wound that even time never fully healed.