In The Reality War, the final episode of the latest series of Doctor Who, a peculiar line of dialogue playfully suggests that Ernest Borgnine (above, right, with Tim Conway) is somehow still alive due to a “time glitch”.
It’s a clever nod that reflects not just science-fiction whimsy, but also the enduring legacy of an actor whose presence in film and television feels timeless.
While Borgnine died in 2012 at the age of 95, his impact remains so strong that even Doctor Who, a British show that has itself defied the ravages of ageing, imagines him cheating time itself.
Born in 1917, Ernest Borgnine carved a remarkable career across seven decades. His breakthrough role came in 1955 when he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Marty, playing a lonely Bronx butcher with such honest vulnerability that it stunned audiences and critics alike.
At a time when leading men were expected to be smooth and polished, Borgnine’s everyman charm and expressive, weathered face brought a new kind of realism to Hollywood.
Though the Oscar win solidified his place in cinema history, Borgnine’s popularity soared with the hit sitcom McHale’s Navy (1962–1966). As the lovable and unorthodox Lt Commander Quinton McHale, he became a staple of American TV comedy. The show’s enduring syndication ensured that his charm reached generations born long after its original air date.
But Borgnine’s versatility didn’t stop there. In his later years, he lent his unmistakable voice to SpongeBob SquarePants, delighting younger audiences as Mermaid Man, a senile but well-meaning underwater superhero. His enthusiastic delivery and willingness to poke fun at himself endeared him to fans old and new, proving that he never lost his spark.
Ernest Borgnine was more than just a character actor; he was a character in the richest sense. From gritty war films such as The Dirty Dozen to wacky animation and light comedies, his ability to shift across genres made him a rare and treasured figure.
If a time glitch truly could keep someone alive, Borgnine would be a worthy candidate. He brought laughter, depth, and humanity to everything he touched, making the world brighter with each performance. Though he is gone, his legacy is a reminder that some spirits, like his, never truly leave us.