Ernest Borgnine winning the Oscar® for Best Actor for "Marty"

Grace Kelly presenting Ernest Borgnine with the Oscar® for Best Actor for "Marty" at the 28th Academy Awards® in 1956. Hosted by Jerry Lewis.

[@LPJack02]

RIP Ernest Borgnine (January 24, 1917 - July 8, 2012), aged 95 You will be remembered as a legend.

[@MichelPougin]

A heartfelt, deeply moving speech. The way he thanks his parents and his wife is wonderful. Ernest Borgnine - a legend. We will miss you. Rest in peace.

[@douglassun8456]

He said that he had nothing prepared because he thought there was no way he would win, so it was completely spontaneous. Jerry Lewis liked his chances and bet Borgnine $1.98 that he would win. So Borgnine took one of his daughter's socks, filled it with 198 pennies and brought it with him just in case. I came to this video to see if it captured him handing Lewis the little sock filled with pennies.

[@johnb3291]

Ernest Borgnine, what a class act! I've watched everything he ever did. Well done sir.

[@erwinmonti5066]

I MET MR BORGNINE IN COLUMBUS OH IN 1989. HE WAS TRAVELING THE COUNTRY IN A MOTORHOME..HE TREATED ME LIKE I WAS HIS LONV TIME FRIEND. FANTASTIC MAN...

[@usaveteran-retired6464]

Would have LOVED to meet Mr. Borgnine -- What humility and graciousness. Same with the Duke: Mr. John Wayne. Ms. Legend-In-Her-Own-Mind Candace Bergen and foul-mouth Robert DeNiro could learn a few lessons from this True Legend above, but they WON'T. Neither will most of today's Hollywood -- Sorry, today it is indeed HOLLYWEIRD.

[@Imissingu2001]

This was so sweet of Jerry Lewis as this was Grace Kelly's last public appearance in Hollywood before she married her Prince and became Princess Grace. That was beautiful.

[@bingovegas4867]

Hollywood's biggest asshole.

[@jimmyb1559]

What a humble man Ernest Borgnine was. Class all the way. Jerry Lewis’ words to Grace Kelly were very moving as well. Shout out to today’s Hollywood THIS IS HOW ITS DONE!!!!!!!!!!!

[@domenicv7962]

there is no more hollywood

[@marjorjorietillman856]

Just watched Marty for the 1st time in 2023, and Borgnine was sooo LOVABLE❤!!!

[@MrImiller07]

Borgnine's competition that year was simply staggering: James Dean in a career best performance in East Of Eden, James Cagney in Love Me Or Leave Me, arguably his best performance during the 50's, Frank Sinatra in Man With the Golden Arm, a film that he regarded as his personal best, and Spencer Tracy in Bad Day At Black Rock, at the peak of his abilities; very moving and poignant.

[@douglassun8456]

Borgnine worked with Tracy on Bad Day at Black Rock; he tells the story that he read for Marty while shooting it and met Paddy Chayefsky while still in costume. Tracy was supportive and encouraging - and Borgnine beat him out for the Oscar.

[@JM-zk9ou]

Yes. So many fabulous movies in one year.

[@melancholiac]

To win in that kind of company is beyond imagining. So many celebs come and go, but that line-up of nominees are all forever-legends.

[@mickyw1455]

The talent in that list of nominees is incredible. Any one of those actors would have been a worthy recipient.

[@opaulamorgan4265]

Ernest Borgnine was The lonely butcher, who after many disappointments, finally meets a lady who is intelligent and one who he can build a relationship with. Betsy Blair was perfect in her part as Clara. Esther Minciotti as Marty's mother was priceless "those college girls are just one step away from the street." Marty was such a heartfelt movie, a movie that we will never see the likes of again. Ernest Borgnine, although up against some tough competition that year, definitely deserved the "Oscar."

[@MyGolden89]

Can't believe Grace Kelly is such a perfection. I don't know a word to list her matchless beauty and her stylish composure. She's the beauty Goddess

[@m.e.d.7997]

She was all natural too.

[@drincogni]

Yes she knew that and married a prince

[@kaymartin7822]

And she lived a life of respectability, dignity, strength and charity. Not as much of that left in Hollywood these days.

[@fattituoi655]

E Jerry Lewis cos' e'?

[@hawkeyeten2450]

She sounds so British here though you'd swear she was born across the Atlantic.

[@panzerken]

I hear Ernest Borgnine was a very nice person in real life.

[@Marckymarc71]

+panzerken I saw an interview with him when he was 92 and he was as sharp as ever..and yeas, he was an absolute teddy bear of a man--very kind, gentle and joyous.

[@scottmiller6495]

He was an unbelievably superb man in every way!!!!!

[@kevinharvey8971]

Yes he was I got his autograph 3x. He was always very kind and humble. He couldn't have been nicer

[@ung427]

He used to bring boxes of oranges from his trees to the fire station up in the Hollywood Hills every year and chat with the firefighters.

[@lnl3237]

@Corno di Bassetto One of my favorite movies is "Our Vines Have Tender Grapes" in which the only thing more tender is Edgar G. Robinson as a devoted husband and doting father to his daughter played by Margaret O'Brien. What an actor-believable in everything!

[@marylawson6060]

Love the movie Marty and Ernest Borgnine played the man so well. Marty is my kind guy down to earth and helps others in need. You deserved to win Mr. Borgnine. Great performance. RIP

[@shimmeringfairydust3275]

What a beautiful, heartfelt speech

[@jamesfair4315]

I love how humble he was. And loved his videos of his travels through America in an RV. His real self shone through and now I'm able to see him win his Oscar. The movie is great.

[@samalvarado3957]

I got to meet Mr Borgnine at a gas station in Victorville Ca in the early 90's. He was one of the nicest, down to earth celebrities I have ever met. I thought he was going to ask me for my autograph. R.I.P. "skipper McCale" they don't make-um like you anymore.

[@eddiecampion2410]

Grace was such a beautiful woman and we lost her at such an early age.lord be with her.

[@rox8516]

Sarah Kelly A

[@gameofthugs4839]

SHE WAS Gorgeous here..Damn

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

So beautiful that it's impossible to take my eyes off of her.

[@mrmusickhimself]

You don't hear a heartfelt speech like this anymore. It really meant the world to him, he was a fantastic actor and a humble one at that. Plus, his secret to living a long life? Works.

[@sharonzimmerman5558]

Because it has nothing to do with Cinema anymore. It's become a political platform.

[@oneguycoding]

Just watched Marty last night for the first time in a long time. What a great performance by Ernest. But after watching this I am struck by how incredibly beautiful Grace Kelly was. Yowza.

[@shimmeringfairydust3275]

She was. Stunning, talented & a good person!

[@m.e.d.7997]

She looks so beautiful and the gown is the finishing touch.

[@m.e.d.7997]

I believe she marries about a month later in April 1956. Sadly, Grace was not that happy being a princess. Should have kept acting. She had so many good years ahead of her as an actress IMO.

[@johnwolf1475]

Holywood needs to go back and learn class from these icons.

[@gregoryreese8491]

As a rule I am far more attracted to slight women with black or very dark brown hair, as well, I find the women's fashions (hair, dress and make-up) of the nineteen-fifties to be, by *far* the least flattering of the twentieth century. Despite this... etc. (you can certainly guess where this was headed).Gong Li, around about the time she appeared in _Raise the Red Lantern,_ would be the one actress I'm able to think of as possessing beauty which rivaled that of Kelly.

[@GordanGeeko]

The Best Actor category was loaded with talent that year. Just listening to the names is a history lesson in cinema.

[@lineking2]

Ernest Borgnine came to Portland, not too long before he passed away, for a free public screening of Marty and he told some great anecdotes, especially about how he came to do McHales Navy. A night not to be forgotten.

[@mamatibborscassady9388]

That was pretty darn stiff competition, when most movies were good. Marty was a movie made as a tax deduction by the studio, was never intended to be released...........................I was thrilled when Ernie won !!!

[@hamelyn06]

You missed the part when his head spun around and manifested and the exorcist had to come and a smurf came out of his lived and it was actually a demon smurf that gargamel cast into the evening. The smurf then pulled earnest heninways knicker off and it was shameful It's a hidden conspiracy that the reptilian shape shifter conspired ...

[@martinmahern2410]

My name's Marty. I was 4 years old when "Marty" came out. I didn't see it till the 80s. Watched it many times since. Great dialogue and not a minute wasted. Hard to believe anyone would think Betsy Blair was a "dog".

[@steviezace]

My God Grace Kelly was Beautiful

[@1959blantz]

That's when Hollywood had class. Unlike today where Hollywood is a cesspool of no talent clowns that think more of expressing their political opinions than showing any sort of talent.

[@m.e.d.7997]

Really sad how she died.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

Heart-stoppingly beautiful.

[@infocool4609]

Grace Kelly is simply stunning!

[@jaymorgenthal9479]

+INFOCOOL she learned to talk like that because the studio wanted her to get rid of her Philadelphia main-line accent.

[@araymond1able]

Jay Morgenthal....I noticed that. I was thinking wasn't she born in USA. Yep. I was born in PA too but I do not even sound British or some foreigner. Of course that same year she married a Prince. She never acted again after the marriage.

[@susanb2015]

@@araymond1able She leaves Hollywood and marries him thinking she could make movies again but her royal family wouldn't let her. I never liked her or her movies. But it's sad how she died. Ernest Botgnine was terrific in Marty.

[@601themississippigulfcoast7]

I remember how great he was in Marty he didn't win the Oscar he earned it.

[@mamatibborscassady9388]

+601 The Mississippi Gulf Coast Did you know that Marty was made to bea studio IRS loss? Was never intended to be released............sat in the can forquite a while...

[@gregorybuell8637]

I saw the movie and it was great every movie he did was great

[@MultiSkyman1]

@@mamatibborscassady9388 Interesting.

[@anglophils645]

Yes, he DID win the Oscar, that’s what this video is about!

[@muthpeterpatrik]

@@anglophils645 He said he didnt win it perse he had earned it.

[@renewingthemind2789]

I've seen Ernest Borgnine in so many movies growing up. I'm delighted to see that he won an Oscar! From what I've read, he seemed like a good guy too!

[@lilybond6485]

I wondered if he was going to thank his mother because she deserved a lot of credit for nudging him into acting and sure enough he did. He’s what you call a real man.

[@SteveGriffithAustinTexas]

Once at Ernie's house he told me to grab the Oscar off the shelf to see how heavy it was. As I held it, I made the drawn out 'oo' sound, smiled, paused, looked back at him, wiggled my eyebrows and in a low voice said .... "Grace Kelly touched this". He laughed along with me which is something because 'you just know' that I was not the first to do this and of course it was not really all that funny. Although I know better, I'd like to believe it was my delivery. ;) What a guy. There'll never be another Ernie. A better friend and partner you will not find.

[@stormcloudsabound]

This is a true story, I was the Oscar.

[@hunterhalverson1448]

Ernest Borgnine was my grandfather! I also got to hold that Oscar way more heavier then I thought it was going to be

[@robertduncombe7684]

@@hunterhalverson1448 What a wonderful anecdote and thank you for sharing!

[@scottmiller6495]

Ernest Borgnines acceptance speech was very nice and humble and Jerry Lewis was marvelous with his complementing The Late Great Grace Kelly Terrific all the way around!!!!!

[@charlescanterbury9762]

Before reading the comment's , i too was thinking wow how beautiful Grace was, she just shined, just lit up the room with her Beauty and class.

[@terryesrom4607]

Earnest was also a Chili connoisseur and lived in Oregon part of the time, hung out at the local Elks lodge or Moose lodge, one of those local lodges, might have even been the Water Buffalo lodge with Fred and Barney playing cards, just a regular guy and his acceptance speech demonstrates that, no pomp and circumstance no politics, just mom, dad, wife and producers. He was a great actor and a mans man.

[@meyokkob458]

But he was from Hamden CT

[@NinaG42069]

He gave such an impressive performance in this film. A well deserved Oscar.

[@ianward776]

RIP Ernest Borgnine (1917-2012)

[@Lava1964]

Marty is a gem of a film. It ought to be more widely shown--especially in in schools.

[@fanenthusiast3802]

Back when actors were humble and hosts were entertaining

[@pablobanados6552]

Mr. Borgnine one of the greatest actors of all times.

[@almeggs3247]

Every nomination mentioned for best actor WOW. they were all deserving all these actors were light years ahead of all the crap they have now!

[@paulbadoo9326]

Yep. Thought the same.

[@dianesingerman9650]

True in a way, but a lot of times we don’t appreciate what we have until it’s gone. Actors like Leo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro, and more, will be much more appreciated when they’re gone. That said, I’m a big fan of “Marty”, and Ernest Borgnine.

[@43jaygee]

Still miss Ernie. Great guy!

[@henrybemis8913]

Grace Kelly, Jerry Lewis, Ernest Borgnine...all gone now. When I was a kid I watched their movies whenever they were on TV. Time is a Thief.

[@scottmiller6495]

A very impressive acceptance speech from a marvelous actor who had class all the way !!!

[@demetriusdillard2863]

What a memorable moment in Oscar history!

[@TheLocoUnion]

I can’t beloved he didn’t stand up there and speak for 25 minutes and list five thousand producers, directors, casting people and production assistants who all made this night possible!

[@junaid12345678901234]

Grace kelly was the epitome of femininity and perfection.

[@miguelangelherrerasantilla8580]

La mujer más bella del mundo !

[@MrImiller07]

Borgnine had extraordinary competition during the year that he won the Best Actor : Frank Sinatra for The Man with The Golden Arm; James Cagney for Love Me Or Leave Me; James Dean for Kazan's East Of Eden, and Spencer Tracy for Bad Day At Black Rock, which ironically, featured Borgnine in a supporting role.

[@Syncopator]

It's not "ironic." He was a talented actor and many people in Hollywood realized it-- it's no wonder he was in two films that had nominations that year.

[@mikekemp9877]

and tracey had allowed him to leave the set to go to the audition for marty

[@statikshotz9558]

MrImiller07 I think the word you're looking for is "coincidentally"

[@robertlee1497]

This was the moment that everyone in Hollywood knew, but nobody watching on tv understood, that Grace Kelly was leaving them...forever.

[@HungNguyen-fl9qt]

You can see how much this means to him

[@jwelch5742]

Ernest Borgnine had great acting in Marty.

[@coolcat5714]

He went from being a regular Joe in the navy to acting in A list movies …and of course scoring the Oscar wow

[@Vzyadokmoe]

Ernest, great actor...Grace Kelly, a beautiful woman...

[@billolsen4360]

Wow, he beat out Sinatra, Tracy, Dean & Cagney!

[@Charlie_Crown]

Unreal

[@edwardhenry3158]

Wow that is amazing I always loved the pictures he was in but never realized he beat out Cagney Spencer Tracy Frank Sinatra and James dean that blew me away I never knew that and my grandfather and me would always watch McHales Navy when I was just a kid he love that show how I wish I could turn back time and to this day if I ever see the reruns of Mc Hales navy or any one of Ernest Borgnine‘s movie I watch them and remember my grandfather

[@Izaan2810]

I don't know why you are so surprised by that. Cause not gonna lie but Ernest's portrayal was heads and shoulder above the rest of the nominees.

[@lukess.s]

@@Izaan2810 because he was up against JAMES DEAN, FRANK SINATRA, JAMES CAGNEY and SPENCER TRACY

[@Izaan2810]

@@lukess.s So what lol?? His performance was on a whole another level to them!! Oscars are not handed for popularity.... If one has "actually" watched Marty, he/she would have known that Borgnine's understated work is one of the greatest in history.

[@Siege69m]

That list of nominees - WOW. All actual legends.

[@jimcypher]

"Well, all I know is I had a good time last night. I'm gonna have a good time tonight. If we have enough good times together, I'm gonna get down on my knees. I'm gonna beg that girl to marry me." - Marty

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

Wow, three great Hollywood legends, Ernie beat out some tough competition, he must have been really proud of that achievement. Rip all.

[@rickram1961]

A very deserved Oscar win for Ernest Borgnine's marvelous performance in Marty. God Bless and RIP Mr Borgnine!

[@lliamjurdom9505]

I loved Ernest Borgnine, a real earthy character actor who played his own style and charisma up to a tee !!!

[@anotherpluss1adventure905]

Ernest Borgnine was a champion. A powerful presence whenever on the screen

[@johnaddeo2251]

Grace Kelly, the most beautiful woman, ever.

[@chuckthebull]

Totally deserved it... just watched that film..it was very sweet..and he was up against some great actors and films here too..

[@diehardhushfan]

What great talents all 3 in this clip were and are.

[@470George]

Cool for Mermaidman to win an Oscar and all, but HOLY SHIT GRACE KELLY TAKES MY BREATH AWAY

[@caravanstuff2827]

There will be only one Grace Kelly....thaY said about ELVIS...every man wanted to be him...and every woman wanted to be with him....the same could be said of Grace!!.😪😪💕

[@Nick-ty9us]

Exactly that’s mermaid man win an Oscar in 1955. He deserve that Oscar for Marty.

[@antoniatorres9895]

What is "mermaidman"

[@Nick-ty9us]

@@antoniatorres9895 the superhero Ernest did on SpongeBob

[@Blackaddder]

Short. Concise. An absolute expression of heartfelt gratitude. Well done, Borgnine.

[@Stack_Silver]

Watching Marty right now, what a blessing it was to have Ernest Borgnine in our lives. The first Movie I saw him in was The Poseidon Adventure. From that movie on, I was hooked and a lifelong fan of Ernest Borgnine and made a mission to see all of his roles. One of the funniest moments on live TV with Ernest was during the 2003 Oscars with Steve Martin as host. Watching the opening here on YouTUbe, it's hilarious and Ernest made it even funnier when actors being panned in the audience as having had a relationship with Steve Martin, they panned to Ernest and he threw Steve a kiss! LOL!

[@baymaxc1647]

What a total Class Act!! Wonderful Human Being! god Bless His Soul! Thanks for all the wonderful memories!

[@DM-iw2qt]

They were all outstanding movies. They all deserved an Oscar

[@ray-0249]

Imagine all the development and technological achievement this man has seen in his lifetime may he rest in piece this timeless relic of an age long gone

[@musik102]

Ernest was a terrific actor who played such a range of roles. One role that he was never - to my knowledge - interviewed about was as Ragnar in "The Vikings". It's difficult to get ones head around the fact that this was the same actor who had played Marty a few years earlier.

[@robertszvetics210]

he was one of the nicest guys in the bussiness

[@ricardopadilla323]

That list of nominated actors was stacked with some of the greatest of all time

[@whaguitars]

WOW Grace Kelly was BEAUTIFUL!!

[@mtsflorida]

A great actor and comedian. He is not afraid to joke no matter how hillarious or crazy it sounds. He is a straight up guy.

[@stevesolo.]

Ernest borgnine was one of the most important and magnificent actors in the history of the movies God bless him and his entire family, friends and colleagues always!.🌹✊🕊️🙏🇬🇧💎😎👍

[@jamesmonroe7751]

It's was adorable how Jerry absolutely loved grace Kelly. She would've been a princess regardless!

[@anne7441]

Marty was a beautiful movie and Ernest Borgnine played the role perfectly.

[@robertszvetics210]

Ernie was a true class act

[@richardmason902]

Grace Kelly . How wonderful. So glad I watched this. ----- Bookmarked.

[@Mokkari77]

There's a famous picture of Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn together waiting backstage at this Oscar ceremony. Just google "Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn Oscars".

[@RickSeraf]

Notice at 0:39 that Ernest Borgnine comes up on stage, laughs at Jerry Lewis, and hands something to him. Lewis (a good friend of his) had made a joke bet of $1.98 that Borgnine would win. So Ernest Borgnine got 198 pennies and put them in a sock. And he's handing the sock to Jerry to pay him off.

[@jodidoenadt]

rick seraf Thanks for bringing that story with Jerry Lewis . How great was Ernest Borgnine. When he died in 2012 Jaime Sanchez is the only survivor of the wild bunch

[@mamatibborscassady9388]

+Arturo García Good call, 'The Wild Bunch' was the last really goodWestern, unsurpassed cast, some we'd not seen in a while...was gritty,and I think Peckenpah's best...............

[@lorisharp9197]

rick seraf 0

[@astolatpere11]

Borgnine said that Lewis said later "Saved the pennies, spent the sock."

[@dianemelick2393]

I just got done watching Marty on tcm I've watched it a bunch of times you know what they're should be more men out there like Marty Ernest both one truly deserved the academy award

[@NBARicky99]

R.I.P Mermaid Man

[@JamesMcCown-yf3qf]

What a lovely speech.

[@Anynom]

A wonderful actor, glad to see this posted at last as a fine tribute to him.

[@keithhyttinen8275]

Commander McHale. Loved that show when I was a kid. Great serious acting in "The Dirty Dozen".

[@kevinhealey6540]

Earnest Borgninewas a U. S. Navy Gunners Mate 1935-1945. When people recognized him on the street he was always very cordial and warm to everyone and anyone.

[@tonychuter4830]

What a lovely man and a true gentleman that was Hollywood a star on every corner all gone now...

[@josephmango4628]

Ernest Borgnine, a wonderful, humble, and gracious actor. Grace Kelly was such a stunning, beautiful woman. Nobody could touch her class and elegance today. They don't make them like that anymore.

[@idx1941]

Seems like such a great guy. Talented actor, so good in all the various roles he played...and never let success inflate his ego.

[@Nostradamusknow]

Oh yeah ! That scene with his mother on the breakfast table is my all time fav.

[@tyronemartinpolanski6331]

ERNEST BORGNINE WAS CLASS! 👍 GREAT AT DRAMA & COMEDY! 🎬🎥🎞️

[@mickcarson8504]

He was a great actor. May he rest in peace.

[@WGARVA]

Talk about a CLASS ACT. And a wonderful actor.

[@melaniesmith1313]

Classy, short, sincere, and not a political statement. I miss those days.

[@rahimshahid1937]

R.I.P KING (EARNEST BORGNINE) THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT MOVIES 😊😊😊😊

[@readmelancholystrumpetmaster]

Grace Kelly might be the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

[@CornvilleConsigliere87]

Lots of icons in that list.

[@keithhyttinen8275]

Grace Kelly. What a lovely young lady she was. No wonder the King of Monaco wooed her.

[@kyokogodai-ir6hy]

Wow! What talent for Ernest Borgnine to win over. And every one of those films IS so wonderful. A better time.

[@SuisunSymKat]

I agree about Ernest Borgnine's acting ability and his win of the oscar. Marty was a stunning movie and Ernest Borgnine was outstanding.

[@dominicromano1611]

Borgnine was a class act, one of the nicest guys you'd ever meet. He never stopped working even up to the time of his death at 95.

[@SprigofDill]

Grace Kelly is wearing my all-time favorite Oscar dress (tie with Audrey Hepburn)

[@shellyharry8189]

one of my favorite movies and my favorite actor❤

[@CAMPBELLOBK97]

Arguably one of the greatest Oscar wins

[@jasonm950]

I've watched "Marty" two or three times and lesson is don't let go the best of your life waisting your time with a bunch of losers (so called best buddies),move on and pull the trigger for much better things life offers ,that's what I think.

[@TemakiTom]

Best comment I've read so far

[@HoldenNY22]

I haven't seen Marty in a few years. I was a Fat Jew growing up in the late 1970's so I related to the character. I have a weight and food problem that I am struggling with now so I gained a few pounds since I was slim in my College Years and at other times in my life. Let us say I relate to the struggles of Marty. I wish Ernest B. had thanked Paddy Cheyavesky for writing the beautiful story of Marty.

[@neilgerace355]

Peer pressure is a terrible thing.

[@TheIrishrogue68]

That and don’t ever give up hope…there’s someone for everyone out there.

[@MrBumboclart]

No way. As much mystic that surrounds Dean, in reality he was just another pretty face. Borgnine was waaaay more talented, and his performance in Marty was incredible. He was a tough guy killer but pulled off the sensitive role to perfection. An Oscar WELL deserved!

[@lynnturman8157]

I'm not going to dignify this with a reply.