RIP Charles Durning.
12-25-12, 02:04 AM
#1
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RIP Charles Durning.
One of the great character actors. Just watching O Brother Where Art Thou the other day and loved him as the cunning governor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Durning
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Durning
12-25-12, 02:20 AM
#2
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Re: RIP Charles Durning.
Just saw this pop up on my screen. Man, 2 wonderful actors lost on Christmas Eve. I never knew that Charles Durning was such a bad ass during WW II! Bless you Doc Hopper.
12-25-12, 05:25 AM
#5
Re: RIP Charles Durning.
In that Wikipedia entry, I was particularly impressed with Burt Reynolds' class act cited here:
Durning participated in the Normandy Invasion of France on D-Day, 6 June 1944, and was among the first troops to land at Omaha Beach. In Episode S03E09 of the program Dinner for Five, which also included Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise and Charles Nelson Reilly), Reynolds spoke about Durning's service career for him, as Durning did not like to talk about it much. Reynolds revealed that Durning was in a group of gliders who overshot their landing zone and that he had to fight alone all the way back to the beach. Reynolds also stated that his own father was there fighting about 15 yards away and that Durning was probably the most decorated veteran (then) still alive from World War II.
Oh, and the other character actor who died yesterday? Jack Klugman. Another WWII army veteran (but not sure if he was in combat or not--he was discharged because of a kidney ailment).
Last edited by Ash Ketchum; 12-25-12 at 09:57 AM.
12-25-12, 09:40 AM
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Re: RIP Charles Durning.
The Final Countdown DVD has a great interview with the fighter pilots who worked on the film, and they say most of the cast was lukewarm to them and Catherine Ross an outright bitch, but Durning went out of his way to talk to them and bought them dinner every night instead of eating with the rest of the cast.
12-25-12, 11:13 AM
#10
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Re: RIP Charles Durning.
Sad news. Earliest movie I recall seeing him in was DePalma's Sisters. More recently, he did a good job during his stint on the TV show Rescue Me.
12-25-12, 11:35 AM
#11
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Re: RIP Charles Durning.
That military service is outstanding! RIP Pappy O'Daniel
12-25-12, 01:31 PM
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Re: RIP Charles Durning.
He was one of the greats. So many great roles, loved him as the governor in 'Best Little Whorehouse', etc.
But the thing I always remember him for first, is the famous terrible looping at the beginning of De Palma's 'Scarface'. For some reason that 'sore thumb' in that film always come to mind first when thinking of Durning.
But the thing I always remember him for first, is the famous terrible looping at the beginning of De Palma's 'Scarface'. For some reason that 'sore thumb' in that film always come to mind first when thinking of Durning.
12-25-12, 01:54 PM
#14
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Re: RIP Charles Durning.
That's too bad. Good actor. With his girth, he's lucky to have lived to 89.
12-25-12, 04:54 PM
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Re: RIP Charles Durning.
I didn't have any idea about his WWII service. Remarkable stuff.
BTW, he was also superb in The Sting.
BTW, he was also superb in The Sting.
12-25-12, 08:08 PM
#17
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: RIP Charles Durning.
NY Times Obituary
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J2JbpeA2d6I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
WWII stories start at 11:45.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J2JbpeA2d6I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
WWII stories start at 11:45.
12-25-12, 11:58 PM
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Re: RIP Charles Durning.
He was best in Tootsie, but he was terrific in so much more.
The Sting
Tough Guys
The Rosary Murders
The Muppet Movie
Stick
The Choirboys
Breakheart Pass
The Sting
Tough Guys
The Rosary Murders
The Muppet Movie
Stick
The Choirboys
Breakheart Pass
12-26-12, 12:27 AM
#20
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12-26-12, 02:55 PM
#23
Senior Member
Re: RIP Charles Durning.
In Belgium he was stabbed in hand-to-hand combat with a German soldier, whom he bludgeoned to death with a rock.
