DocM Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 http://m.usatoday.com/article/news/1790203 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. Indeed, he had met his first wife, Carol, when both worked at a dance studio. The year after "Best Little Whorehouse," Durning received another Oscar nomination, for his portrayal of a bumbling Nazi officer in Mel Brooks' "To Be or Not to Be." He was also nominated for a Golden Globe as the harried police lieutenant in 1975's "Dog Day Afternoon." From 'Best Little Whorehouse In Texas' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protocol7 Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Jack Klugman and now Charles Durning... CAN EVERYONE STOP DYING PLZ RIP guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Raze Subscriber² Posted December 25, 2012 Subscriber² Share Posted December 25, 2012 Rest in Peace, Mr.Durning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted December 25, 2012 Member Share Posted December 25, 2012 How terrible, right at Christmas. R.I.P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted December 26, 2012 Author Share Posted December 26, 2012 Durning was more than an actor, he was a war hero. He was the only survivor of his unit during the D-Day invasion at Normandy, won a boatload of medals in combat including the Silver and Bronze Stars, was wounded 3 times, and was one of only ~20 soldiers who survived the Nazi SS attempted summary execution of 100 US prisoners during the Battle of the Bulge (the Malmedy Massacre.) In hand-to-hand comboat with one Nazi soldier he was stabbed in the hand, but countered by killing his opponent with a rock. He was also a professional boxer, dancer, and studied the martial arts. Back home, he married his school sweetheart, and he will be buried with his fellow soldiers at the Arlington National Cemetary in Virginia. +Raze 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted December 26, 2012 Member Share Posted December 26, 2012 I didn't know that about him. Thanks Doc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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