Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Charles Durning, Prolific Character Actor, Dies at 89
nyt ^

Posted on 12/25/2012 7:46:53 AM PST by Perdogg

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

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: charlesdurning; durning; hollywood; obituary
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-51 next last

1 posted on 12/25/2012 7:46:56 AM PST by Perdogg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Perdogg

Loved him in Tootsie...


2 posted on 12/25/2012 7:48:26 AM PST by ransacked
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kronos77; mass55th; Perdogg; DollyCali; EveningStar; Borges; Mr. K; Blondie; altura; mylife; ...

ping


3 posted on 12/25/2012 7:50:01 AM PST by Perdogg (Mark Levin - It's called the Bill of Rights not Bill of Needs)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Perdogg

Rest in Peace, Ranger Durning.

Rangers Lead the Way.


4 posted on 12/25/2012 7:51:31 AM PST by military cop (I carry a .45....cause they don't make a .46....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Perdogg

Three Purple Hearts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/26/movies/charles-durning-prolific-character-actor-dies-at-89.html?pagewanted=all

Then came World War II, and he enlisted in the Army. His combat experiences were harrowing. He was in the first wave of troops to land on Omaha Beach on D-Day and his unit’s lone survivor of a machine-gun ambush. In Belgium he was stabbed in hand-to-hand combat with a German soldier, whom he bludgeoned to death with a rock. Fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, he and the rest of his company were captured and forced to march through a pine forest at Malmedy, the scene of an infamous massacre in which the Germans opened fire on almost 90 prisoners. Mr. Durning was among the few to escape.

By the war’s end he had been awarded a Silver Star for valor and three Purple Hearts, having suffered gunshot and shrapnel wounds as well. He spent months in hospitals and was treated for psychological trauma.


5 posted on 12/25/2012 7:51:43 AM PST by ConservativeStatement (Having an abortion is "progressive"?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Perdogg

I always thought Strother Martin was the king of character actors... but Dunning was an original!!


6 posted on 12/25/2012 7:52:43 AM PST by Dick Vomer (democrats are like flies, whatever they don't eat they sh#t on.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Perdogg
The Sting


7 posted on 12/25/2012 7:58:15 AM PST by Hoodat ("As for God, His way is perfect" - Psalm 18:30)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeStatement

Wow—what a hero. RIP sir. My grandfather’s brother was killed at the Battle of the Bulge. Merry Christmas all.


8 posted on 12/25/2012 7:59:57 AM PST by tflabo (Truth or Tyranny)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeStatement

An authentic American hero. I always enjoyed his participation in the Memorial Day event on the Mall.


9 posted on 12/25/2012 8:04:38 AM PST by kabar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Perdogg

As an actor, I don’t remember anything about him, but we all benefit from his service. RIP and thanks.


10 posted on 12/25/2012 8:04:59 AM PST by TwelveOfTwenty (Ho, ho, hey, hey, I'm BUYcotting Chick-Fil-A)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Perdogg

Another great actor and WWII hero lost to the ages. Thank you for your service Mr. Durning, on the battlefield, and on screen. Rest in peace.


11 posted on 12/25/2012 8:06:49 AM PST by mass55th (Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway...John Wayne)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: tflabo

Merry Christmas to all.

R.I.P. to this gentleman.


12 posted on 12/25/2012 8:07:52 AM PST by ConservativeStatement (Having an abortion is "progressive"?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Perdogg

RIP “Pappy O’Daniel”.


13 posted on 12/25/2012 8:19:50 AM PST by Southern Partisan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Perdogg

He really was an excellent character actor in everything he did. God bless his family.


14 posted on 12/25/2012 8:22:20 AM PST by fattigermaster
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Perdogg

I always enjoyed Durning, whatever he was in. Two of my favorites were Tough Guys (great little movie, btw) and his guest appearance on NCIS as a WW 2 Marine haunted by his past. The former was a hoot, and the latter was one of the most moving performances I’ve seen on tv in a long time.

RIP, Mr. Durning. And Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah to all my fellow Freepers!


15 posted on 12/25/2012 8:25:24 AM PST by DemforBush (You might very well think that. I could not *possibly* comment.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ransacked

He was good in ‘Dog Day Afternoon’ as the Detective Sgt..


16 posted on 12/25/2012 8:29:09 AM PST by POWERSBOOTHEFAN (Causing trouble since 1976)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Perdogg

Prayers for his family. Great actor.

Merry Christmas


17 posted on 12/25/2012 8:32:27 AM PST by bray (Welcome to Obamaville)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Perdogg

He was the cop in the most suspenseful movie ever “Have you,checked the Children”? “We traced the call, it’s coming from inside the house”! When a Stranger Calls.


18 posted on 12/25/2012 8:49:13 AM PST by crazydad (Obamamohamed is a traitor)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Perdogg
My favorite actor. A movie could be made of HIS life with his heroic actions in war, and his profession as an actor. Whatever he did, he did well. RIP Mr. Durning.
19 posted on 12/25/2012 8:52:29 AM PST by Swede Girl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Perdogg

Prayers for Mr. Durning and his family. We salute this great American and hero.


20 posted on 12/25/2012 8:52:47 AM PST by DarthVader (Politicians govern out of self interest, Statesmen govern for a Vision greater than themselves)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-51 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson