Charles Durning, Prolific Character Actor, Dies at 89

Gerald · 12-25-12, 11:27 AM

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.

Quote:

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/mo...9.html?hp&_r=0

A talented actor,RIP Sir.

Note: December 25, 2012

AVGWarhawk · 12-25-12, 12:03 PM

RIP

Jimbuna · 12-25-12, 06:36 PM

RIP Sir

Sailor Steve · 12-25-12, 07:44 PM

Ooh, but he could dance a little sidestep!

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

mapuc · 12-25-12, 09:27 PM

RIP Charles Durning

eddie · 12-26-12, 04:15 AM

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.co...#axzz2G9CL0ZL8

Sailor Steve · 12-26-12, 09:34 AM

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 · 12-26-12, 09:57 AM

Thanks for the link Eddie.

Rest in Peace Pvt. Durning.

eddie · 12-26-12, 01:13 PM

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

Gerald · 12-26-12, 05:18 PM

Thanks for posting this Eddie.

Jimbuna · 12-26-12, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.co...#axzz2G9CL0ZL8

little known I suspect and thanks

sharkbit · 12-28-12, 03:02 PM

RIP Mr. Durning.

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.

12-25-12, 12:03 PM	#2
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	RIP __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

12-25-12, 06:36 PM	#3
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,461 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	RIP Sir __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

12-25-12, 07:44 PM	#4
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Ooh, but he could dance a little sidestep! So long Mr. Durning, and thanks for all the great moments. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-26-12, 09:34 AM	#7
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	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. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-26-12, 09:57 AM	#8
u crank Old enough to know better Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Prince Edward Island Posts: 11,744 Downloads: 136 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the link Eddie. Rest in Peace Pvt. Durning. __________________ “Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” ― Arthur C. Clarke

12-25-12, 09:27 PM	#5
mapuc CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Denmark Posts: 20,535 Downloads: 37 Uploads: 0	RIP Charles Durning

12-26-12, 04:15 AM	#6
eddie Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,023 Downloads: 99 Uploads: 0	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.co...#axzz2G9CL0ZL8

12-26-12, 01:13 PM	#9
eddie Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,023 Downloads: 99 Uploads: 0	You're welcome! I thought his video was hard to watch too.

12-26-12, 05:18 PM	#10
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Thanks for posting this Eddie. __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

12-28-12, 03:02 PM	#12
sharkbit The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,529 Downloads: 334 Uploads: 0	RIP Mr. Durning. 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. __________________ “Prejudice is blind. There will always be someone who says you aren’t welcome at the table. Stop apologizing for who you are and using all your energy trying to change their minds. Yes, you will lose friends, maybe even family. But you will gain your self-respect. You will know your worth. Once you have that, nothing can stop you.”