Ernest Borgnine dies at 95

Ernest Borgnine has died aged 95.

His spokesman confirmed that he succumbed to renal failure surrounded by his family at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles.

The movie legend starred in a string of hits in a career spanning over 60 years. According to his family, he had been in good health until his recent illness, completing his last film this year.

Born Ermes Effron Borgnino in Connecticut in 1917, the son of Italian immigrants, he served in the Navy before taking drama classes following World War II.

He scooped an Oscar for his role of a romantic butcher in 'Marty' in 1955, after mostly playing bad guy roles due to his stocky build and gruff voice.

He also starred in films including 'From Here To Eternity', 'The Poseidon Adventure', 'The Wild Bunch', 'The Dirty Dozen', 'The Black Hole', 'Escape From New York' and 'Gattaca', as well as a number of TV roles, including 80s show 'Airwolf' and in 2009 medical drama 'ER', which saw him nominated for an Emmy.

His voice was often in demand too, with cameos in 'Spongebob Squarepants', as Mermaidman, and in 'The Simpsons' as himself in the episode 'Boy-Scoutz n' the Hood'.

He was married five times, once briefly to singer Ethel Merman, his final marriage to Tova Traesnaes lasting since 1972.

He is survived by three children.