Ernest Borgnine's Life Achievement Award

Veteran actor, Ernest Borgnine, who turned 94 years old on January 24, 2011, was honored by the Screen Actors Guild on Sunday, January 30th with a Life Achievement Award for 7 decades of acting in such classic films as "The Dirty Dozen," "The Wild Bunch," "McHale's Navy," "The Poseidon Adventure, "The Vikings," and of course, the one that won him an Oscar, "Marty."

In a recent interview with USA, Ernest Borgnine joked about his advanced age, saying he gets a kick out of some folks, who seem to think that people his age can't even talk. He related an anecdote about his wife, Tova, suggesting to British film officials a few years ago that they should hire him to speak at an event. The reply was: "Is he coherent?"

Actor Tim Conway, who was also in "McHale's Navy," told the audience that the Life Achievement Award was the highest honor being given out. It's interesting to note that while some folks think Tim Conway has been around as long as Ernest Bornine, Tim is actually 17 years younger! Morgan Freeman spoke next and introduced the actor, who took the stage to a long standing ovation. Last year, Ernest Borgnine appeared in a cameo in "Red" (2010) with Morgan and Bruce Willis.

Ernest Borgnine said his career as an actor began with a question from his mom when he came back from World War II: "Have you ever thought of becoming an actor," his mom asked, " 'You always like getting in front of people and making a fool of yourself." It was really touching to think how that turned out, because most parents don't suggest acting as a profession, and when kids say they want to be an actor or actress, the usual response is: "You'll starve."

But even if they don't listen and go on to fame and fortune, what are the chances they will still be going strong at age 94? Ernest Borgnine has the role of Slink in an animated film "The Lion of Judah" due out in late February 2011. He also has top billing in two other films due out this year: "Night Club" and "Snatched."

When he took the stage, the veteran actor humbly told the audience: "We are a privileged few who have been chosen to work in this field of entertainment," He continued with: "There are members of our group who will be long remembered for their work and whom we still enjoy today. I hope that we will never let our dedication to our craft fail and that we will always give the best we possibly can to our profession so that people may enjoy us in later years."

It was a great segment and was wonderful to see this face and voice we are so familiar with both in films and on television receive this prestigious honor he so richly deserves.

Oscar Trivia:

Borgnine won his Oscar for "Marty" in 1956. The film was produced by Burt Lancaster and on Oscar night, Ernie beat out James Cagney, James Dean, Frank Sinatra and Spencer Tracy. He also won the Golden Globe for Best Actor that year.

Ernest Borgnine is the only actor to ever win a Best Actor Academy Award who reached the ripe old age of 90 (in 2007). He's already well on his way to being the only one to live to be 100 and he'll probably still be working, too!

See the complete list of SAG award winners

Sources: Embedded and IMDB
Screen Actors Guild Awards (1/30/2011)