I will admit,
I have not seen all of Ernest Borgnine's movies,
but I did grow up watching
McHales Navy, of which I do have very fond memories.
This year, when he was given the
Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award,
he was the epitome of old school,
gentleman class.
featured Mr. Borgnine in The Proust Questionnaire-
and showcases a sharp wit, warmth and a honest look at life...
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Finally, a happy marriage, of now 39 years!
Finally, a happy marriage, of now 39 years!
What is your greatest fear?
Having gone through the depression of ’29, I’d hate to see the U.S. hit bottom and not come back!
Having gone through the depression of ’29, I’d hate to see the U.S. hit bottom and not come back!
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Abraham Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln.
Which living person do you most admire?
My own doctor, Paul Rudnick.
My own doctor, Paul Rudnick.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Laziness.
Laziness.
What is your favorite journey?
Going home after any journey.
Going home after any journey.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Perfectionism.
Perfectionism.
On what occasion do you lie?
Never lie—fib a little!
Never lie—fib a little!
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Glad to be a Clark Gable!
Glad to be a Clark Gable!
Which living person do you most despise?
A politician.
A politician.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Amazing.”
“Amazing.”
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My children and my wife, Tova.
My children and my wife, Tova.
When and where were you happiest?
When: I finish a good scene. Where: looking back, in the navy.
When: I finish a good scene. Where: looking back, in the navy.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Being a better actor.
Being a better actor.
What is your current state of mind?
Tranquil, except for daily worries.
Tranquil, except for daily worries.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
At 93, I do everything I used to do, only slower.
At 93, I do everything I used to do, only slower.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Doing and receiving things in my profession I never thought possible.
Doing and receiving things in my profession I never thought possible.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
As a thing: a medicine to kill cancer once and for all.
As a thing: a medicine to kill cancer once and for all.
If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?
A country doctor, to help people.
A country doctor, to help people.
What is your most treasured possession?
Most of all, my health.
Most of all, my health.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Those poor homeless guys who have served their country and now live on the streets and the country has forgotten them.
Those poor homeless guys who have served their country and now live on the streets and the country has forgotten them.
Where would you like to live?
Right where I’m at—it’s heaven!
Right where I’m at—it’s heaven!
What is your favorite occupation?
There’s something besides acting?
There’s something besides acting?
What is your most marked characteristic?
My laughter.
My laughter.
Who are your favorite writers?
Mark Twain.
Mark Twain.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Huckleberry Finn.
Huckleberry Finn.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Certainly not politicians—surely police, firemen, doctors, and the military.
Certainly not politicians—surely police, firemen, doctors, and the military.
What are your favorite names?
What’s wrong with Ernest!
What’s wrong with Ernest!
How would you like to die?
Softly, in a nice bed, no suffering, with God on my lips!
Softly, in a nice bed, no suffering, with God on my lips!
What is your motto?
“I don’t want to set the world on fire; I just want to keep my nuts warm.”.
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