Charles Durning, Prolific Character Actor, Dies at 89

[Gerald]

http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q764/gasturbin/25durning-1-articleLarge_zps35a99219.jpg
Charles Durning, right, with Burt Reynolds after accepting a lifetime achievement honor at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2008. Mr. Durning, the two-time Oscar nominee, died on Monday.

Charles Durning, who overcame poverty, battlefield trauma and nagging self-doubt to become an acclaimed character actor, whether on stage as Big Daddy in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” or in film as the lonely widower smitten with a cross-dressing Dustin Hoffman in “Tootsie,” died Monday in New York. He was 89. He died of natural causes, The Associated Press reported, citing Judith Moss, his agent and friend.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/26/movies/charles-durning-prolific-character-actor-dies-at-89.html?hp&_r=0

A talented actor,RIP Sir.

Note: December 25, 2012

[AVGWarhawk]

RIP

[Jimbuna]

RIP Sir

[Sailor Steve]

Ooh, but he could dance a little sidestep!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJG75FJkjr8

So long Mr. Durning, and thanks for all the great moments.

[mapuc]

RIP Charles Durning

[eddie]

He was a decorated WWII veteran, he earned the Silver Star and 3 Purple hearts! You can read about his military career here. I encourage you to watch the video also on this page. You'll be moved by it. One thing I learned about him, he was one of the American survivors of the Malmedy massacre!

http://www.military-money-matters.com/charles-durning.html#axzz2G9CL0ZL8

[Sailor Steve]

Wow! I've never seen, read or even heard that about him. His story of D-Day was hard to listen to, especially his description of dying men using their own bodies to shield the others, yet I had to smile at his description of ending up on shore with no helmet and no rifle.

And Malmedy? I've known about the massacre for years, and to find out that he was one of the three survivors? Wow!

His description of being in sixty feet of water reminded me of another famous actor. James Arness of Gunsmoke fame was at the Anzio landing. He said that since he was 6'7" (2.01m) tall he was ordered to be the first one out of the boat. They figured that if the water came up to his chest it would be too deep for everyone else, and he would get back in the boat. It only came to his waist.

Jimmy Stewart, who put his acting career on hold to risk his life flying B-17s over Germany.

Lee Marvin, who was a US Marine and was wounded at the battle of Saipan.

Jason Robards, who played General Walter Short in Tora! Tora! Tora! I thought he was actually at Pearl Harbor, but on December 7, 1941 he was a hundred miles away, as a radioman on the cruiser Northampton. He did survive the sinking of the Northampton, treading water for several hours before being rescued by an American destroyer.

Once again, kudos to men like Charles Durning, who we remember for being a famous actor but was in reality so much more.

And thanks for posting that, Eddie.

[u crank]

Thanks for the link Eddie. :up:

Rest in Peace Pvt. Durning. :salute:

[eddie]

You're welcome! I thought his video was hard to watch too.

[Gerald]

Thanks for posting this Eddie.

[Jimbuna]

He was a decorated WWII veteran, he earned the Silver Star and 3 Purple hearts! You can read about his military career here. I encourage you to watch the video also on this page. You'll be moved by it. One thing I learned about him, he was one of the American survivors of the Malmedy massacre!

http://www.military-money-matters.com/charles-durning.html#axzz2G9CL0ZL8

little known I suspect and thanks :sunny:

[sharkbit]

RIP Mr. Durning. :salute:

Speaking of famous actors serving in WWII- Eddie Albert (of Green Acres fame) was at Tarawa. IIRC he was in the Navy and was on a landing craft during the landings bringing marines into the reef and taking wounded back.