Ernest Borgnine Book Signing

Saturday, January 31, 2009
Palm Springs Mall, Palm Springs, Calif.

Story and photos by Pat Krause

To see more Pat Krause photos of this event , click here.

Legendary superstar Ernest Borgnine was at the Palm Springs Mall on Sat., Jan. 31. Palm Springs SunUp Rotarians with support of the Palm Springs Cultural Center and the Camelot Theatres sponsored a question and answer session with Bruce Fessier and Ernest Borgnine. The Q&A was held at the former Family Christian Bookstore Space in the mall. Borgnine was there also to sign his new book, “Ernie the Autobiography.”

The event was free, but he would only sign books purchased at the mall. The book cost $24.95 People could spend $100 and get four preferred tickets, a book and entree into the Meet-The-Author VIP reception at the Camelot Theatre's Upstairs lounge immediately following the book signing.

The mall area was filled with fans. Every seat was taken and fans were standing all around the room to listen to Borgnine. Fessier started the Q&A and then the audience started asking questions. Borgnine took the time to answer all the questions with laughter and grace.

Smiling most of the time, he told stories of his time in the service and other parts of the book. The Q&A lasted almost an hour before went a table to sign books.

What a gentleman this man is. He posed for photos, talked with his fans and wrote special comments in the books. Each person he signed a book for felt like a friend. He made them all feel special.

At the senior age of 92, he is amazing with his ability to recall so many exciting and interesting tales. I could tell he likes to tell these stories and his laughter was always there. He looked terrific and his infectious smile and laugh had the audience smiling with him.

He has been an actor in many films and television. Some of his memorable roles include “The Dirty Dozen,” “The Wild Bunch” and “From Here to Eternity.” One of his favorite films was “Marty” where he earned the Oscar for best actor in 1955. He has made 200 movies and can still be seen on film or TV.

He turned to TV as McHale in “McHale's Navy.” A lot of people still remember him as that wonderful Navy man. He starred for four years and won an Emmy nomination for that role. You can still see “McHale’s Navy” in reruns on TV. His fans know no age barrier. It seems all ages know of his work and love him.

Borgnine says that working keeps him young and has no plans to retire. He says leading men don't last long in film but a character actor can work for years.

His credits include an Academy Award, British Academy Award, Two Golden Globe awards and Two Emmy Winning Actor awards.

Thanks to the staff of the Palm Springs Mall, the Palm Springs SunUp Rotarians and Camelot Theatres for bringing Earnest Borgnine to the area.

To see more Pat Krause photos of this event, click here.

To learn more about Earnest Borgnine, click here.

For more information about Camelot Theatres, click here.

To lean more about the Palm Springs SunUp Rotary, click here.

To learn more about the Palm Springs Mall, click here.