Ernest Borgnine Stars in a Hallmark Channel Movie

Television may be a medium for young people, so how can you explain Ernest Borgnine — who turns 91 in January — starring in a Hallmark movie tonight.It may not be much of a stretch for 90-year-old Ernest Borgnine to play the part of a retired show-business veteran. After all, the gap-toothed guy's been around for what seems like forever - remember him as the sadistic sergeant who cleaned Frank Sinatra's clock in From Here to Eternity? Or in his Oscar-winning role as the shy butcher in Marty? Or how about the rule-breaking rascal in the TV series McHale's Navy?

So the real-life show-biz veteran brings a wealth of experience to his role in the new Hallmark Channel movie, A Grandpa for Christmas, which airs at 9 tonight. In a heartwarming but all-too-predictable story, Borgnine portrays Bert O'Riley, a crusty, 80-year-old retired actor who is suddenly called upon to take in a 9-year-old granddaughter he never even knew he had.The supporting cast includes Katherine Helmond, Tracy Nelson and Jamie Farr. But the real co-star may be Juliette Goglia. The versatile actress and singer plays the transplanted granddaughter (and just last week played a young murderer on "CSI").