**Ernest Borgnine (1917-2012)** was an American actor with an unmistakable screen presence.

Initially known for 'villainous' or rough-hewn roles, such as the tormentor Fatso Judson in the classic *From Here to Eternity* (1953). His versatility was cemented by an Academy Award for Best Actor for *Marty* (1955), where he portrayed a sensitive and lonely butcher, a surprisingly tender role that revealed his depth.

His career continued with memorable roles in genre films, often as a 'tough guy with a heart of gold' or an authoritative figure: Sam Peckinpah's epic western *The Wild Bunch* (1969), in which he was the unforgettable Dutch Engstrom, and the disaster film *The Poseidon Adventure* (1972).

His style was characterized by powerful physicality, a contagious laugh, and the ability to embody working-class characters, often gruff but with a core of unexpected humanity. He remains an iconic figure of American cinema for his long and prolific career.