Film star Charles Durning dies aged 89

Belfast Telegraph ^ | 25th December 2012 | Belfast Telegraph

[the scotsman]

'Two-time Oscar nominee Charles Durning - dubbed the king of the character actors - has died aged 89.

He died on Christmas Eve of natural causes at his New York City home.

Durning portrayed everyone from blustery public officials to put-upon everymen to Big Daddy in a Broadway revival of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. It won him a Tony award in 1990.

He was nominated for an Oscar for his over-the-top performance as a corrupt governor in 1982's The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. Just a year later, he got another nomination for Mel Brooks's To Be Or Not To Be.'

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Less we forget, landed at Normandy on D-Day. Another hero gone to his reward.

[Harold Shea]

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.

Great part he played in Brother where are you

[Venturer]

Another WW2 hero gone to “Post Everlasting”.

We will never see his like in todays Hollywood actors.

[Joe Marine 76]

Yes! Excellent acting in “Brother Where Art Thou!”

Durning was the great “Menelaus “Pappy” O’Daniel.”

Great role.

[gunsequalfreedom]

[gunsequalfreedom]

Wow, thanks for that detail. Interesting. I did not know that about him. Always like his acting.

[gunsequalfreedom]

[a fool in paradise]

Just Durn.

[Disambiguator]

At least he didn’t die like Waring Hudsucker, by falling 44 floors (including the mezzanine).

[mosesdapoet]

Thanks for posting...

[LS]

Yes, as others note, he escaped during the Malmady massacre of prisoners.

Jack Klugman died yesterday as well.

[tbpiper]

His performance on an episode of NCIS I thought was particularly good.

[StAnDeliver]

[PGalt]

Condolences to family and friends of Charles Durning. America’s finest. R.I.P., sir.

[vladimir998]

R.I.P. Charles. There goes another piece of my youth.

[djf]

A great character actor, and a true patriot.

Dog Day Afternoon One of my favorite flicks ever!

[ican'tbelieveit]

Wow, what a life, amazing survival story. And I can understand why he couldn’t talk about military service. No one and nothing can prepare a man to survive that.

[itsLUCKY2B]

RIP Soldier. Thank you for your service.

[oh8eleven]

Charles Durning - dubbed the king of the character actors
One of my favorite actors, in one of my favorite movies. RIP ...