I wish I knew how to do a poll... I just got done watching The DI with Jack Webb, and actually found myself liking it better then R Lee Ermy in Full Metal Jacket. Thoughts?

Probably Lou Gossett Jr

Sgt Hulka!

SOME NOMINEES

Darren McGavin in Tribes

Clancy Brown in Starship Troopers

Christopher Walken in Biloxi Blues

Warren Oates in Stripes

GOD DAMMIT -- I AM THE BEST !!!

Ha! I totally forgot about Clancy Brown. "Medic!"

In The Army Now

"She can drill me anytime"

John Wayne in SANDS OF IWO JIMA (1949)

Clint Eastwood in HEARTBREAK RIDGE (1986)

Also, check out Gregory Walcott (who would go on to make both PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE and several Eastwood movies) in Raoul Walsh's BATTLE CRY (1955).

It's a smaller role as compared to others so far listed, but I'm submitting actor John Finn as Sergeant Major Mulcahy in GLORY (1989).

Lon Chaney in Tell It to the Marines (1927)

I've always heard Jack Webb was great in this. Ermy is too over the top for me. And with his history channel shows, I'm pretty much sick of his schtick anyhow.

He was nothing without Ermey.

Actually Sgt. Hulka was a very good representation. However, in the army we had 2 drills per platoon.

For my money, no one tops Ermey.

I'm going to throw in with the Ermey wagon. My friends and I are able to quote everything he says in FMJ to the chagrin of everyone around us.

The two that immediately came to mind for me have both been mentioned above:

Louis Gossett Jr. in An Officer and a Gentleman

Darren McGavin in Tribes (1970)


However, unlike arminius, I have no personal experience since my draft lottery number was 293.

is it fair since R Lee Ermey was a real DI

Of course. He brought an authenticity to the role the others weren't able to.

Christy Carlson Romano?



Didn't think so

I think Ermey may be one of the only actors to play a DI twice. He was also very good in The Boys in Company C.

R Lee Ermy for sure.

But I don't like seeing him on "Mail Call" because I know that he severely restrained in what he can say. I always wish he could just go all out on that show.

All of the friends I've had with military experience say Ermey was the best, so I'll go with him.

Jack Webb was also a real life drill instructor, albeit in the Army instead of the Marine Corps.

wasn't much of what the dude from Full Metal Jacket ad libbed? Either way, he wins simply for that "Mary-Jane Rottencrotch" line.