- Charles Durning
-
Charles Durning 
Durning at the 2008 National Memorial Day Concert in Washington D.C.Born February 28, 1923
Highland Falls, New York, U.S.Occupation Actor Years active 1963–present Spouse Carol Durning (?-1972)
Mary Ann Amelio (m. 1973–present)Children Michele Durning, Douglas Durning, Jeanine Durning and three stepchildren Charles Durning (born February 28, 1923) is an American actor. With appearances in over 100 films, Durning's memorable roles include police officers in the Oscar-winning The Sting (1973) and crime drama Dog Day Afternoon (1975), along with the comedies Tootsie, To Be Or Not To Be and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the last two of which earned him an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor. He won a Tony award for his portrayal of Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1990.
Contents
Early life
Durning was born in Highland Falls, New York and was the second youngest of five children, James G. (1915–2000), Clifford John (1916–1994), Frances (born 1919) and Gerald J. Durning (born 1926). His mother, Louise M. (1894–1982), was a laundress at West Point, and his father, James Durning ) (born 1890 in Horn Head County Donegal County th in Ireland and died 1977 in Hillsborough, New Hampshire), was an Irish immigrant who gained U.S. citizenship by joining the army.[1]
Military service
Durning served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Drafted at age 21, he was first assigned as a rifleman with the 398th Infantry Regiment, and later served overseas with the 3rd Army Support troops and the 386th Anti-aircraft Artillery (AAA) Battalion. For his valor and the wounds he received during the war, Durning was awarded the Silver Star and three Purple Heart medals.[2]
Durning participated in the Normandy Invasion of France on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and was among the first troops to land at Omaha Beach. Some sources state that he was with the 1st Infantry Division at the time, but it is unclear if he served as a rifleman or as a member of one of the division's artillery battalions.[citation needed]
Durning was wounded by a German “S” Mine on June 15, 1944, at Les Mare des Mares, France. He was transported by the 499th Medical Collection Company to the 24th Evacuation Hospital. By June 17 he was back in England at the 217th General Hospital. Although severely wounded by shrapnel in the left and right thighs, the right hand, the frontal region of the head, and the anterior left chest wall, Durning recovered quickly and was determined to be fit for duty on December 6, 1944. He arrived back at the front in time to take part in the Battle of the Bulge, the German counter-offensive through the Ardennes Forest of Belgium and Luxembourg in December 1944.[3][4]
After being wounded again, this time in the chest, Durning was repatriated to the United States. He remained in Army hospitals to receive treatment for wounds until being discharged with the rank of Private First Class on January 30, 1946.
Veteran recognition
He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his portrayal of a Marine veteran in "Call of Silence," an episode of the television series NCIS, first broadcast November 23, 2004. Drawing on his first-hand knowledge of the lingering effects of battle-induced stress, Durning's character turns himself in to authorities, insisting that he must be prosecuted for having murdered his buddy during ferocious combat on Iwo Jima six decades earlier.[5] The real truth of the incident only becomes known for certain when the guilt-stricken veteran goes through a cathartic reliving of the battlefield events.
Durning is well-known for participating in various functions to honor American veterans. He was the chairman one year of the U.S. National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans.[6] He was an honored guest speaker at the National Memorial Day Concert for many years, televised by PBS every year on the Sunday evening of Memorial Day weekend.
In April 2008 Durning received the National Order of the Legion of Honor from the French consul in Los Angeles, awarded to those who served with distinction in France. During the ceremony, Durning spoke about his wartime experiences.[7]
Film career
Durning's breakthrough film performance was in The Sting. In the film, Durning plays a corrupt policeman, Lieutenant Snyder, who polices and hustles professional con artists. He doggedly pursues the young grifter Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford), only to become the griftee in the end. Since then he has amassed more than 100 film and television credits, including Queen of the Stardust Ballroom, Dog Day Afternoon (with Al Pacino), the sci-fi classic The Final Countdown, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. In 1976, he received both an Emmy and a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the television mini-series Captains and the Kings. In 1979, he played Doc Hopper, the main villain in The Muppet Movie. In Tootsie he plays a suitor to a cross-dressing Dustin Hoffman. The two actors worked together again in a 1985 TV production of Death of a Salesman. In 1993, Durning guest starred in the Sean Penn-directed music video for "Dance with the One That Brought You" by Shania Twain.
More recently he has played a benevolent father to Holly Hunter in Home for the Holidays (1995), a cynical southern governor ("Pappy" O'Daniel) in O Brother, Where Art Thou, and as Victor Rasdale in Dirty Deeds. In 1996 he played Lew in the romantic comedy One Fine Day and Santa Claus in the Sesame Street home video "Elmo Saves Christmas". He played town doctor Harlan Eldridge on the Burt Reynolds sitcom Evening Shade (1990–1994). He subsequently had a recurring role on Everybody Loves Raymond (1996–2005) as the Barone family's long-suffering parish priest, Father Hubley. He also played the voice of recurring character Francis Griffin in the animated series Family Guy until the episode Peter's Two Dads where the character died (although he later returned in the episode Family Goy to voice the ghost of Francis).
For his numerous roles on television, Durning has earned nine Emmy Award nominations. He has also received Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor nominations for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas in 1982 and for To Be or Not to Be in 1983. He won a Golden Globe in 1990 for his supporting role in the television miniseries The Kennedys of Massachusetts. He appeared on the FX television series Rescue Me, playing Mike Gavin, the retired firefighter father of Denis Leary's character.
Durning was honored with the Life Achievement Award at the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Award Ceremony on January 27, 2008. On July 31, 2008, he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next to the one of his idol, James Cagney.
His daughter, Jeanine Durning, is a well known New York-based modern dance performer and choreographer.
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes 1962 The Password Is Courage American GI (uncredited) 1965 Harvey Middleman, Fireman Dooley 1969 Stiletto 1970 I Walk the Line Hunnicutt 1970 Hi, Mom! Superintendent as Charles Durnham 1971 The Pursuit of Happiness 2nd Guard 1972 Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues Murphy 1972 Deadhead Miles Red Ball Rider 1972 Doomsday Voyage 1973 Sisters Joseph Larch 1973 All in the Family Detective in episode Gloria the Victim 1973 The Sting Lt. Wm. Snyder 1974 The Front Page Murphy 1975 Dog Day Afternoon Det. Sgt. Eugene Moretti NBR Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture1975 The Hindenburg Capt. Pruss 1975 Breakheart Pass O'Brien 1975 Queen of the Stardust Ballroom Alvin "Al" Green Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor - Miniseries or a Movie 1976 Harry and Walter Go to New York Rufus T. Crisp 1976 Captains and the Kings Ed Healey Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor - Miniseries or a Movie
Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Series, Miniseries or Television Film1977 The Choirboys Spermwhale Whalen 1977 Twilight's Last Gleaming President David Stevens 1978 An Enemy of the People Peter Stockmann 1978 The Fury Dr. Jim McKeever 1978 The Greek Tycoon Michael Russell 1979 Starting Over Michael (Mickey) Potter 1979 North Dallas Forty Coach Johnson 1979 When a Stranger Calls John Clifford 1979 The Muppet Movie Doc Hopper 1979 Tilt Harold 'The Whale' Remmens 1980 Die Laughing Arnold 1980 The Final Countdown Senator Samuel Chapman 1980 Attica Commissioner Russell Oswald Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor - Miniseries or a Movie 1981 Dark Night of the Scarecrow Otis P. Hazelrigg 1981 True Confessions Jack Amsterdam 1981 Sharky's Machine Friscoe 1982 Tootsie Leslie 'Les' Nichols 1982 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Governor Nominated – Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor 1983 Two of a Kind Charlie 1983 Scarface Immigration Officer - voice (uncredited) 1983 To Be or Not to Be Col. Erhardt Nominated – Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture1984 Mass Appeal Monsignor Thomas Burke 1984 Hadley's Rebellion Sam Crawford 1984 Mister Roberts The Captain 1985 Stick Chucky 1985 The Man with One Red Shoe Ross 1985 Stand Alone Louis Thibadeau 1985 Death of a Salesman Charley Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor - Miniseries or a Movie 1986 Where the River Runs Black Father O'Reilly 1986 Meatballs III: Summer Job Pete, Heaven Doorman (uncredited) 1986 Solarbabies The Warden 1986 Big Trouble O'Mara 1986 Tough Guys Deke Yablonski 1987 Happy New Year Charl 1987 The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains Warden Hardy 1987 The Rosary Murders Father Ted Nabors 1988 Far North Bertrum 1988 A Tiger's Tale Charlie Drumm 1988 Étoile Uncle Joshua 1988 Case Closed Detective Les 1988 Cop Dutch Peltz 1989 Brenda Starr Editor Francis I. Livright 1989 Cat Chaser Jiggs Scully 1990 Fatal Sky Colonel Clancy 1990 Dick Tracy Chief Brandon 1990 The Kennedys of Massachusetts John 'Honey Fitz' Fitzgerald Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor – TV Movie 1990–1994 Evening Shade Dr. Harlan Elldridge Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor - Comedy Series, 1991–1992 1991 V.I. Warshawski Det. Lt. Bobby Mallory 1993 The Music of Chance Bill Flower 1994 The Hudsucker Proxy Waring Hudsucker 1994 I.Q. Louis Bamberger 1995 The Last Supper Reverend Gerald Hutchens 1995 The Grass Harp Reverend Buster 1995 Home for the Holidays Henry Larson 1996 Spy Hard The Director 1996 Recon 1996 Mrs. Santa Claus Santa Claus 1996 One Fine Day Lew 1997 The Secret Life of Algernon Norbie Hess 1998 Jerry and Tom Vic 1998 Shelter Capt. Robert Landis 1998 Hi-Life Fatty 1998 Homicide: Life on the Street Thomas Finnegan (in episode Finnegan's Wake) Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor - Drama Series 2000 Never Look Back 2000 Lakeboat Skippy 2000 O Brother, Where Art Thou? Pappy O'Daniel 2000 The Last Producer Syd Wolf 2000 Very Mean Men Paddy Mulroney 2000 State and Main Mayor George Bailey 2001 Turn of Faith Philly Russo 2001 L.A.P.D.: To Protect and to Serve Stuart Steele 2002 The Last Man Club John 'Eagle Eye' Pennell 2002 Pride & Loyalty Dylan Frier 2002 Mother Ghost George 2002 Mr. St. Nick King Nicholas XX (Santa Claus) 2003 Dead Canaries Jimmy Kerrigan 2003 One Last Ride Mr. Orlick 2004 Death and Texas Marshall Ledger 2004 NCIS Corporal Ernie Yost, "Medal of Honor Recipient" Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor - Drama Series 2004 A Boyfriend for Christmas Santa Claus 2005 Resurrection: The J.R. Richard Story Frank McNally 2005 River's End Murray Blythe 2005 Dirty Deeds Victor Rasdale 2005 The L.A. Riot Spectacular The Lawyer 2005 Miracle Dogs Too Captain Pete 2006 Forget About It Eddie O'Brien 2006 Everwood Eugene Brown 2006 Local Color Yammi 2006 Jesus, Mary and Joey Teddy the Bartender 2006 Unbeatable Harold Harold's Father 2006 Descansos Innkeeper #2 2006 The Naked Run Congressman Davenport 2007 Chronicle of Purgatory: The Waiter Frank 'The Handler' Maro 2007 Polycarp (aka Kinky Killers) Alexander Hathaway 2008 Deal Charlie Adler 2008 Good Dick Charlie 2008 The Golden Boys John Bartlett 2008 The Drum Beats Twice Satan 2008 Break The Wise Man 2008 iMurders Dr. Seamus St. Martin 2009 A Bunch of Amateurs Charlie Rosenberg 2009 Shannon's Rainbow Floyd 2004–2011 Rescue Me Michael Gavin Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor - Drama Series Narrations
1994 Normandy: The Great Crusade Discovery Channel Director-Christopher Koch - English
References
- ^ CHARLES DURNING; Healing the Wounds of Normandy
- ^ Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp, MND-B PAO, "Military urban legends versus true tales: real life stories prove more interesting", www.Army.mil, retrieved 16-Sep-2011
- ^ Baron, Scott (January 2007). "They Also Served: June 6, 1944: The Longest Day". G.I. Jobs website. G.I. Jobs Online. http://www.gijobs.net/gijobs/index.cfm?event=Columns&id=462. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
- ^ War Hero on Walk of Fame by Solvej Schou (Associated Press)
- ^ O'Hare, Kate. 'NCIS' Has Durning Hearing Echoes of War. tv.zap2it.com.
- ^ VA Voluntary Service – National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans
- ^ VFrance honors wartime service of Charles Durning
External links
- Charles Durning at the Internet Movie Database
- Charles Durning at the Internet Broadway Database
- Charles Durning at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- McCaslin, John, TownHall.com (cached) "Stars by example"
- Hayes, Richard L., Osprey Publishing. "Hollywood Stars at D-Day"
- Soldiers Online – Army.mil. "Concert on Memorial Day"
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (1975–2000) Frank Langella (1975) · Judd Hirsch (1976) · Bob Dishy (1977) · Jeffrey DeMunn (1978) · George Rose (1979) · David Rounds (1980) · Brian Backer (1981) · Željko Ivanek / Adolph Caesar (1982) · Alan Feinstein (1983) · John Malkovich (1984) · Barry Miller / Charles S. Dutton (1985) · Joseph Maher (1986) · John Randolph (1987) · B. D. Wong (1988) · Peter Frechette (1989) · Charles Durning (1990) · Kevin Spacey (1991) · Laurence Fishburne (1992) · Joe Mantello / Stephen Spinella (1993) · Jeffrey Wright (1994) · Nathan Lane (1995) · Martin Shaw (1996) · Brian Murray (1997) · Alfred Molina (1998) · Kevin Anderson (1999) · Roy Dotrice (2000)
Complete list · (1975–2000) · (2001–2025) Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (1990–2009) Charles Durning (1990) · Louis Gossett, Jr. (1991) · Maximilian Schell (1992) · Beau Bridges (1993) · Edward James Olmos (1994) · Donald Sutherland (1995) · Ian McKellen (1996) · George C. Scott (1997) · Don Cheadle/Gregory Peck (1998) · Peter Fonda (1999) · Robert Downey, Jr. (2000) · Stanley Tucci (2001) · Donald Sutherland (2002) · Jeffrey Wright (2003) · William Shatner (2004) · Paul Newman (2005) · Jeremy Irons (2006) · Jeremy Piven (2007) · Tom Wilkinson (2008) · John Lithgow (2009)
Complete List · (1970–1989) · (1990–2009) · (2010–2029) Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play (1976–2000) Edward Herrmann (1976) · Jonathan Pryce (1977) · Lester Rawlins (1978) · Michael Gough (1979) · David Rounds (1980) · Brian Backer (1981) · Zakes Mokae (1982) · Matthew Broderick (1983) · Joe Mantegna (1984) · Barry Miller (1985) · John Mahoney (1986) · John Randolph (1987) · B. D. Wong (1988) · Boyd Gaines (1989) · Charles Durning (1990) · Kevin Spacey (1991) · Laurence Fishburne (1992) · Stephen Spinella (1993) · Jeffrey Wright (1994) · John Glover (1995) · Ruben Santiago-Hudson (1996) · Owen Teale (1997) · Tom Murphy (1998) · Frank Wood (1999) · Roy Dotrice (2000)
Complete list · (1949–1975) · (1976–2000) · (2001–2025) Categories:- 1923 births
- Living people
- American film actors
- American people of Irish descent
- American military personnel of World War II
- American stage actors
- American television actors
- Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe (television) winners
- People from Orange County, New York
- People from the Catskills
- Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal
- Recipients of the Combat Infantryman Badge
- Recipients of the Purple Heart medal
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- Tony Award winners
- United States Army soldiers
- Actors from New York
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
