In Remembrance of My Friend Ernie

[Mr. Nesmith]

It was my great good fortune to work along side Ernest Borgnine on Spongebob Squarepants. Ernie (his preferred moniker) and Tim Conway voiced Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy while I voiced the evil villain Man Ray. Ernie usually had a great story or two to tell us and they would always leave everyone in the room in howls of laughter.

I remember telling him at one session that I had just recently watched him in Bad Day at Black Rock on TCM. Ernie then recounted an amazing story about the scene where he had to fight with Spencer Tracy's character. It was magical they way he painted the picture of that scene, almost as if you were there! After he finished his story, I turned to Paul Tibbit (Exec. Producer on Spongebob) and said "So Paul, not too shabby having an Academy Award winning actor on your little animated show, eh?" And Paul replied "Bob, we were just amazed that he ever wanted to do it in the first place!"

I will always treasure my memories of getting to work with Ernie. He was a wonderful guy and he will be sorely missed by all. And I know that he's out there somewhere fighting EEEEEE-VIL!!!! Thank you for your friendship, Ernie... Rest In Peace.

Bob Joles

http://www.cartoonaday.com/rip-ernest-borgnine

[TubaRay]

Thank you for that great tribute, Bob. Unlike you, I never met him, but ALL indications were that he was a fine man, in addition to being a pretty fair actor.

R.I.P. Ernie.