RIP: Charles Durning (1923-2012)

[Brian in Mesa]

RIP: Charles Durning (1923-2012)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2012/12/25/charles-durning-dies-actor/1790203/

Charles Durning, the two-time Oscar nominee who was dubbed the king of the character actors for his skill in playing everything from a Nazi colonel to the pope, died Monday in New York City. He was 89.

Durning's longtime agent and friend Judith Moss told the Associated Press that he died of natural causes at his home in the borough of Manhattan.

"I was born a character actor," Durning told USA TODAY in 1990, when he starred as Big Daddy in a Broadway revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. "I was born looking older — and I've been aging since I was a teenager."

"The actor's actor," as Durning was eulogized by Henry Winkler on Twitter after his death, he portrayed everyone from blustery public officials to comic foils to put-upon everymen. But he may be best remembered by movie audiences for his Oscar-nominated, over-the-top role as a comically corrupt governor in 1982's The Best Little ********** in Texas.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Wow. Didn't know this about him:

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He was among the first wave of U.S. soldiers to land at Normandy during the D-Day invasion and the only member of his Army unit to survive. He killed several Germans and was wounded in the leg. Later he was bayoneted by a young German soldier whom he killed with a rock. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and survived a massacre of prisoners.

"They train you to do awful things, then they release you and wonder why you are so bitter and angry," Durning told USA TODAY in 1994, when he narrated the Discovery Channel's Normandy: The Great Crusade. "Scars that you have from wounds heal. Scars that you have mentally never heal."

"There's no nobility with war. It's tear-'em-up destruction that leaves you frustrated, bitter and angry. ... If you really knew what it was like for an hour, you wouldn't want anyone to go through it."

In later years, he refused to discuss the military service for which he was awarded the Silver Star and three Purple Hearts.

"Too many bad memories," he told an interviewer in 1997. "I don't want you to see me crying."

 

[NJCardFan]

Dude was pretty versatile. Drama, comedy, horror, and, yes, a musical.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJG75FJkjr8

 

[AzStevenCal]

Wow. Didn't know this about him:

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He was among the first wave of U.S. soldiers to land at Normandy during the D-Day invasion and the only member of his Army unit to survive. He killed several Germans and was wounded in the leg. Later he was bayoneted by a young German soldier whom he killed with a rock. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and survived a massacre of prisoners.

"They train you to do awful things, then they release you and wonder why you are so bitter and angry," Durning told USA TODAY in 1994, when he narrated the Discovery Channel's Normandy: The Great Crusade. "Scars that you have from wounds heal. Scars that you have mentally never heal."

"There's no nobility with war. It's tear-'em-up destruction that leaves you frustrated, bitter and angry. ... If you really knew what it was like for an hour, you wouldn't want anyone to go through it."

In later years, he refused to discuss the military service for which he was awarded the Silver Star and three Purple Hearts.

"Too many bad memories," he told an interviewer in 1997. "I don't want you to see me crying."

Incredible. RIP Charles Durning.

 

[UncleChris]

A true hero's hero...... and one helluvan actor (and dancer at one time)

RIP Mr. Durning

 

[mojorizen7]

Outstanding character actor. One of my favorite roles is his role in "Sharky's Machine"(with Burt Reynolds) as the cop in charge of a Vice division.

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"Dog Day Afternoon" was another memorable performance from Durning.

R.I.P.

 

[Chaplin]

Loved him in Hudsucker Proxy. Didn't say a word, just got up and leaped from a window 100 floors up. Loved when he wipes condensation from his glasses as the ground comes closer and closer.

 

[UncleChris]

Loved him as Coach Johnson in North Dallas Forty and as the Governor in Best Little ********** in Texas.

 

[Gaddabout]

I will always remember him from O' Brother Where Art Thought for this quote. I can't stop laughing just thinking about it. The way he says it was perfect.

Wouldn't we look like a bunch of Johnny-come-latelies, bragging on our own midget, doesn't matter how stumpy.

 

[UncleChris]

I will always remember him from O' Brother Where Art Thought for this quote. I can't stop laughing just thinking about it. The way he says it was perfect.

Or the infamous, "sweet, weepin' Jesus..."