Yes it is indeed noteworthy.
Posted on 12/25/2012 2:15:22 AM PST by Lancey Howard
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- 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 at his home in New York City. He was 89.
Durning's longtime agent and friend, Judith Moss, told The Associated Press that he died Monday of natural causes in his home in the borough of Manhattan.
Although he portrayed everyone from blustery public officials to comic foils to put-upon everymen, Durning 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 Whorehouse in Texas."
Many critics marveled that such a heavyset man could be so nimble in the film's show-stopping song-and-dance number, not realizing Durning had been a dance instructor early in his career.
(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...
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.
Yes it is indeed noteworthy.
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....
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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!
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