Posted on 12/25/2012 2:15:22 AM PST by Lancey Howard
He was great in Rescue Me. Klugman now him. Who’s next?
Great actor. He starred in the best episode of NCIS they ever made. It was the one where Durning played a Medal of Honor recipient who had served in WWII with the Marines. He was depressed by the recent loss of his wife and he walked into NCIS and confessed to murdering his buddy on Iwo Jima. He really thought he had. Gibbs, of course, figured everything out.
RIP, Mr. Durning.
Always loved watching this actor since I was small. Seems like he was in everything & around forever. RIP.
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.
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."
The younger Durning himself would barely survive World War II. 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.Got three Purple Hearts and a Silver Star.
Not much on musicals but the mentioned “Sidestep” is an exception. One of the funniest, and true, things I’ve ever seen.
There is a rumor that Mr. Durning, like Harvey Keitel, has been in every movie since the 1950s. I will miss him.
RIP, Casey. Give my regards to Mickey Mantle.
Looks like the ghosts stayed with him, and he dealt with it the best he could.
When I saw the thread, that episode was the first thing I thought of...it always chokes me up.
Well done, Mr. Durning...R.I.P.
Goodnight sir.
He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and survived a massacre of prisoners....
____________________________
That deserves more information. Mr. During was one tough GI. Not surprising he wouldn’t discuss the matter.
Read more on the murders of US soldiers captured during the Battle of the Bulge.
The Malmedy and Bagnuez Massacres
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malmedy_massacre
My two favourite movies with him are ‘Sharky’s Machine’ and ‘Stand Alone’.
Loved him in The Sting and O Brother Where Art Thou!
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.