Hollywood actor Ernest Borgnine, who could play heartbreaking sensitive roles as easily as he portrayed hulking bullies, has died at 95 in a Los Angeles hospital.

Borgnine entered dramatic school after serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He nearly gave up acting after failing to make much money with small parts on the stage and early television in New York.

After moving to Hollywood, Borgnine won attention for his role as Fatso Judson — the mean-spirited sergeant who beat Frank Sinatra to death in the film From Here to Eternity.

But Borgnine's portrayal of Marty, a sad lonely and homely butcher pestered by his worried mother, won him the 1955 Academy Award for Best Actor and made him a major film star.

Borgnine also won millions of fans as star of the popular television comedy series McHale's Navy from 1962 until 1966, and the 1980s adventure series Airwolf.