Charles Edward Durning (February 28, 1923 - December 24, 2012) was an American actor. and "Inherit the Wind.". Durning was a great actor. Charles Durning is Update Soon years old in 2022. Set the record straight and, once you have, we can revise it here. Monkeyzpop (talk) 01:53, 16 October 2011 (UTC), we all have watched the cuban crime rags to ritches film with al pacino , i am personnely convinced that charles durning done a voice over for an emigration officer at the early stages of the film watch the start and the questions about the tattoo ,,,,if this is not charles durning voice then im an aardvaark. Copy. I would hope that the editors of this page would at least mention that there is controversy surrounding the many versions of his wartime service and that official records are at odds with many points. . One possible explanation for his not being mentioned on this, or vocal generally on World War II, is that I found him listed in Halliwell's Filmgoers Companion as born in 1933. Given the manual, handwritten nature of documentation at the time, and the huge growth of forces, it's not at all surprising to me that administrative paperwork was less than accurate. Depot/ Repl. Wedinm (talk) 21:22, 29 March 2011 (UTC), Regarding the lengthy Malmedy survivor? I hope to get some kind of interview with him that can be published in order to cite these things, but with his current condition, I'm not sure it can be accomplished. I was watching Everwood this evening, and I saw Mr. Durning on it. Blacks later book, The Battalion: The Dramatic Story of the 2nd Ranger Battalion goes into more detail about the 2nd Ranger Battalion. The French document being discussed is not. "There's terror and repulsion in us, the terrible spot that we don't talk about. And then you'd do three to six plays every year down on Lafayette Street new plays by new writers: Sam Shepard, David Mamet, David Rabe, John Ford Noonan, Jason Miller.". It's right at the beginning of the movie. In 1993, he guest-starred in the Sean Penn-directed music video "Dance with the One That Brought You" by Shania Twain. His three brothers James (known as Roger, 19152000), Clifford (19161994), and Gerald (19262000) and his sister Frances (19182006) survived to adulthood, but five sisters died from scarlet fever and smallpox as children. He also points out that During's records only mention Silver Star, not Silever Star Medal. (2000). [14], Durning died of natural causes at his home in Manhattan on Christmas Eve December 24, 2012, aged 89. Let's discuss the editing here please. The Cat!" Unfortunatley, the secondary sources have most of his info wrong. Actor. He describes in detail being captured by Germans and escaping, but NOT as part of the Malmedy events--not even at the same period of time. Howell's threads since he came on the old Shooters site before it closed down and he has been a lightning rod from day one. The net result was a commercial that was okay. We'll never know the whole story of his war years.I used to hear the difference between a "sea story" and a fairy tale was a fairy . I added this piece of information: War Hero on Walk of Fame by Solvej Schou (Associated Press). Block 36 shows arrival in the ETO on 19 Feb 44 and departure 8 Jan 46. Anyone have any further information??? Veteran character actor Charles Durning died yesterday in his Manhattan home. Same for passage saying he was hospitalized for physical and "mental" wounds. Charles Durning, Prolific Character Actor, Dies at 89 Columbia Pictures, via Getty Images . he and the rest of his company were captured and forced to march through a pine forest at Malmedy, the scene of an infamous massacre in which the Germans opened fire on almost 90 prisoners. Durning was equally entertaining in the Billy Wilder production of The Front Page (1974), he supported screen tough guy Charles Bronson in the suspenseful western Breakheart Pass (1975) and featured as "Spermwhale Whalen" in the story of unorthodox police behavior in The Choirboys (1977).The versatile Durning is equally adept at comedic roles and demonstrated his skills as "Doc Hopper" in The Muppet Movie (1979), a feisty football coach in North Dallas Forty (1979), a highly strung police officer berating maverick cop Burt Reynolds in Sharky's Machine (1981), and a light footed, dancing Governor (alongside Burt Reynolds once more) in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982). I must acknowledge that several websites clearly state that durning was at the Baugnez crossroad when the massacre occured. Worse, the 398th's own regimental history of its participation in WWII has a list of all its medal awardees; Mr. Durning is not listed as earning any medal of any kind with that unit. [1](No mention made of service with an antiaircraft unit), In populating the Infobox, I made the assumption that Frances is Charles' sister because of the spelling of the name (instead of Francis), based on my experience (admittedly OR) and "Frances is a human name, the feminine version of Francis." In 1979, he played Doc Hopper, a man who owns a frog leg restaurant and the main antagonist in The Muppet Movie. Before jumping into your new job all gung-ho, you would do yourself a great disservice if you didn't do your research. few survivors of the attack on American POWs at Malmedy, Belgium. The charge of exaggerating one's military record is a very serious one (see Jeremy Michael Boorda), and needs to be backed up by evidence. I'm afraid that's where your argument runs out of steam. There is a significant question as to who he served with upon returning to the Continent. On July 31, 2008, he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame adjacent to one of his idols, James Cagney. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for both The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) and To Be or Not to Be (1983). Charles Durning was born on 1923-02-28. In 1980, he won critical acclaim for his performance as Norman Thayer, Jr. in Los Angeles's Ahmanson Theater's production of On Golden Pond opposite Julie Harris. For his valor he . So. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Charles Durning, a World War Two hero who became one of Hollywood's top character actors in films like "The Sting," "Tootsie" and "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," has. Charles Durning, Durning served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 2004 I was lucky enough to spend a day directing him in a television commercial for the Kerry campaign. A guy goes and risks his life for his country, performs incredibly heroic feats in war, and when he finally passes away, the main thing hes known for is play-acting movie characters ranging from a sketchy governor to a horny Nazi. Shearonink (talk) 19:53, 9 June 2019 (UTC), Not so far as I can tell, information does not appear in cited souces. Durning, 84, will receive the award for fostering the "finest ideals . Can we really exclude that the speach could have writen by a lazzy (or gullible) employee who could simply have made a copy/paste of what he had found on a website without making any check? Those who did not escape, including medical personnel, quickly surrendered to the SS troopers and after being searched and relieved . They were fighting at Bitche, France, 200+ kilometers from Malmedy at the time of the Massacre. He told me he was fond of my father because he was, in his opinion, one of only a handful that he felt was actually telling the truth most of the rest had either intentionally or unintentionally blown their stories up over the years into hugely embellished tales that contradicted each other and played loose with the facts. He was discharged with the rank of private first class on January 30, 1946. Although severely wounded by shrapnel in the left and right thighs, the right hand, the frontal region of the head, and the anterior . The biggest joy of the experience was getting to spend the day chatting with Mr. Durning. Durning was born in Highland Falls, New York. [13] 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. See more ideas about charles durning, charles, movie stars. Born in Highland Falls, N.Y., adjacent to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where his mother was a laundress for the cadets and his father a Soldier, Durning was the fourth of 10 children.. There tends to be a correlation between the quality of character actors and how big of a character they are themselves. Unfortunately, the vast majority of Mr. Durning's 'war record' merely consists of his own assertions (which varied greatly over the years) or retellings of his assertions, as understood or embellished by others. Charles Durning, a Tony Award-winning actor whose prolific work in films and television included supporting roles in the classic comedy "Tootsie" and the TV sitcom "Evening Shade," died Monday.. He landed at D-Day, was in the Battle of the Bulge, and was part of the Malmady Massacre. Again, kudos to Oldbubblehead. Soldiers of Kampfgruppe Peiper summarily killed eighty Preceding unsigned comment added by Deemery (talk contribs) 16:08, 26 December 2012 (UTC), In 1943 you joined the army, enlisting as an Army Ranger. On D-Day, you took part in the invasion at Omaha Beach, landing early in the day with a battalion of Rangers, alongside the First Infantry Division. It's hard to say for certain, but as many as 50 Americans were able to escape, including Charles Durning, Malmedy-Massacre-survivor-turned-character-actor after World War II. He was a great character actor, a tremendous military hero, and a really good guy (plus a Democrat) whom I got to spend a day with in 2004. Durning, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded the Silver Star and three Purple Hearts, began his acting career in his late forties when he was cast in guest appearances in early 1960's television shows where he played minor roles over the next decade until he gained notice on film as a sneering, corrupt cop in the multi award winning mega-hit 'The Sting' (1973). Description. David T Tokyo (talk) 16:30, 26 February 2009 (UTC), 12th Repl. At that time,in my pre-understanding of conversations I had with his spouse, Mr. Durning did not like to discuss his involvement in the landing at Omaha Beach that fateful day with The 1st. In Tootsie, he played a suitor to Dustin Hoffman's cross-dressing lead character. [9], For his valor and the wounds he received during the war, Durning was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. He appeared in John Frankenheimer's I Walk the Line (1970) starring Gregory Peck, and three Brian De Palma movies: Hi, Mom! 1935). and will get the relevant/readable pages uploaded ASAP. While working as an usher in a burlesque theatre, he was hired to replace a drunken actor on stage. he and the rest of his company were captured and forced to march through a pine forest at Malmedy, the . Aedwardmoch (talk) 05:35, 8 November 2008 (UTC)AedwardmochAedwardmoch (talk) 05:35, 8 November 2008 (UTC), There are different ways to calculate "most decorated" and it's exacerbated by the fact that some awards are delayed by decades. 398th Infantry Regiment; part of the 100th Infantry Division, 3. Perhaps we can look forward one day to the family releasing some of his personal correspondence that may shed further light. But second, last year I met with Gavan Daws who wrote the definitive book on Japanese Prisoners of War. The Sting. LOS ANGELES - From World War II hero to dancer and award-winning actor, Charles Durning has lived a storied life. Some television credits include The Connection; Queen of the Stardust Ballroom, the made-for-television musical in which he played the mailman who reaches out to Maureen Stapleton's lonely widow on the dance floor; Attica; PBS's Dancing Bear with Tyne Daly; the PBS production I Would Be Called John as Pope John XXIII; Hallmark Hall of Fame: Casey Stengel, in which Durning played the legendary baseball manager Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel; NBC's mini-series Studs Lonigan with Harry Hamlin and Colleen Dewhurst; The Best Little Girl in the World with Jennifer Jason Leigh. He was 89. Verify your free subscription by following the instructions in the email sent to: Search the largest free Veteran Job board to find jobs with veteran-friendly companies. Kudos to Oldbubblehead for excellent original source efforts! Hollywood is such a crazy thing. After all, few PFCs who earn the Silver Star remain as PFCs for long. My old buddy Dr. Steven Miller (who was my partner in the Shifting Baselines Ocean Media Project and would eventually be executive producer of Flock of Dodos as well as the current Lionfish PSA Campaign), quickly raised the funds for me to write and direct a commercial for the campaign. Since you've left the military, you have already had some civilian experience, but maybe it's time for a change in your education or career path. View more newsletters on our Subscriptions page. Photograph: NBC via Getty Images. He was born into an Irish family of 10 children in 1923, in Highland Falls, New York, a town near West Point. A few words of respect for Charles Durning who died on Monday at age 89. Finally, this story about Durning present at the crossroad is running on several websites since many years. So when was he a member of Third Army, during or after the war?EnigmaMcmxc (talk) 13:23, 26 December 2012 (UTC), It seems to me we should be able to track down (and then link to) Durning's Silver Star citation, which would provide date, circumstances and probably unit of assignment at the time. I'm reluctant to cast any doubt on Mr. Durning's service, but the details are so vague and contradictory that they bear some examination. A veteran character actor who was a widely recognizable face in film and on television for over five decades, Charles Durning earned his place as a dependable presence often . Durning was a boxer, ice-cream seller and dance instructor before establishing himself as an actor. I wonder whether it might be able to get some rock solid sources on this. Durning married his second wife, Mary Ann Amelio, in 1974. In that respect I would draw you attention to the fact that one should make a distinction between the survivors, i.e. Date of Birth. Durning was wounded by a German "S" Mine on June 15, 1944 at Les Mare des Mares, France. And then you go and do a documentary feature film about the Bataan Death March (as I did last year and will begin screening on Feb. 14 at Brown University) and you end up gaining your own appreciation for the fact that history is just some agreed upon set of stories. in the Battle of the Bulge, he and the rest of his company were captured and forced to march through a pine forest at Malmedy, the scene of an infamous massacre in . And even though the obituaries now are saying he didnt like to talk about his war experiences, he shared everything with me. Early life. 1923-02-28. The Cat! At least that last bit is what he told me, in detail. In the Best Picture-winner, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, Durning won distinction as a crooked cop, Lt. Wm. a former professional boxer and a decorated world war veteran who took part in the d-day invasion at omaha beach, the battle of the bulge and was one of few survivors of the malmedy massacre,. "Hollywood Stars at D-Day", Soldiers Online Army.mil. France honors Charles Durning . a book writen by an historian, for instance) is never goven by these websites. Charles Durning served his country with honor and with great personal sacrifice. Wikipedia says no primary sources and the military record is a primary source. [12] He was an honored guest speaker for 17 years at the National Memorial Day Concert televised by PBS every year on the Sunday evening of Memorial Day weekend. Charles Durning was a boxer, ice-cream seller and dance instructor before establishing himself as an actor. He played the role of Jack Jameson in Wendy Wasserstein's final play, Third (2005), with Dianne Wiest at Lincoln Center's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre. Tue 25 Dec 2012 10.24 EST. Although he. I'm guessing the latter was in response to Durning wanting to clarify things in the time leading up to his award from the French on 22 April. You can too, by following these critical steps. Of all the thousands of units in the ETO? Thinking about how veterans of that era typically talk about the Army with regard to administrative matters only confirms this feeling that such records may be largely inaccurate. Division, and a former Chief of Staff for the 1st. In 2010, the two filed an official Declaration of Separation. But, there is no way Durning is the second most decorated hero of WWII, see Audie Murphy and Matt Urban. In addition to three Purple Heart medals for his wounds, Durning was presented the Silver Star for valor. Mr. Also, we got Paul Newman to do the voiceover which was fun I directed him over the phone but he did his performance at the end of a recording session for the animated feature, Cars, and he was very old by then so most people didnt even recognize his voice (which was a lesson to me in voice talent). Unfortunately, Durning is very frail and his conversation is a bit wandering and imprecise. He also appeared in Dealing: or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues (1972) with Barbara Hershey and John Lithgow. I really found that shocking to hear. While pursuing an acting career, Durning, a professional ballroom dancer, taught at Fred Astaire Dance Studio in New York City. I have just modified one external link on Charles Durning. Stetsonharry (talk) 20:53, 5 February 2009 (UTC), If there's no objection, I suggest inserting a reference to him as a Malmedy survivor based on bhcnp.org. Fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, he and the rest of his company were captured. On par with his multitude of feature film roles, Durning has always been in high demand on television and has guest starred in Everybody Loves Raymond (1996), Monk (2002) and Rescue Me (2004). He was 89. Working through Hollywood contacts we heard that veteran character actor Charles Durning was a keen Democrat (even though his wife was a staunch Republican and literally tried to keep him from associating with us). Durning was born in Highland Falls, New York, to Louise Marie (Leonard), a laundress, and James Gerald Durning. It was an awesome day. Charles Durning Born: 28-Feb - 1923 Birthplace: Highland Falls, NY Died: 24-Dec - 2012 Location of death: New York City Cause of death: unspecified Gender: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Actor Nationality: United States Executive summary: The Muppet Movie Military service: US Army (Ranger, WWII) Whether you want to learn more about other famous veterans, polish up your resume, find veteran job fairs in your area, or connect with employers looking to hire veterans, Military.com can help. Personal correspondence that may shed further light, ice-cream seller and Dance before... Is no way Durning is the second most decorated hero of WWII, see Audie Murphy Matt! For physical and `` mental '' wounds filed an official Declaration of Separation the rank of private first on. Career, Durning was born in Highland Falls, New York City commercial for the campaign... To Louise Marie ( Leonard ), 12th Repl a pine forest at Malmedy, the they themselves! Via Getty Images Star remain as PFCs for long units in the Battle of the Malmady Massacre who wrote definitive... Presented the Silver Star remain as PFCs for long record straight and once. Was a commercial that was okay Japanese Prisoners of War about his War experiences, he played charles durning malmedy Hopper a! The main antagonist in the Battle of the 2nd Ranger Battalion from Malmedy at the Baugnez crossroad when the occured! N'T talk about he also points out that During 's records only mention Silver Star not! Was an American actor on several websites since many years it here 's your... Definitive book on Japanese Prisoners of War that we do n't talk about day directing him in television... Should make a distinction between the quality of character actors and how big a! Division, 3 record straight and, once you have, we can revise it here at his in... And relieved that 's where your argument runs out of steam evening, i. Causes at his home in Manhattan on Christmas Eve December 24, 2012, aged 89 significant question as who! Class on January 30, 1946 & quot ; finest ideals 2011 ( UTC ), Repl! Music video `` Dance with the one that Brought you '' by Shania Twain February 28, 1923 - 24... Goven by these websites spend a day directing him in a television commercial for the Kerry campaign searched relieved... Critical steps, 29 March 2011 ( UTC ), Regarding the Malmedy. Durning has lived a storied life old in 2022 of steam taught at Fred Astaire Dance in! Medical personnel, quickly surrendered to the fact that one should make a distinction between the quality of character and... To who he served with upon returning to the fact that one should a... New job all gung-ho, you would do yourself a great disservice if did. '', Soldiers Online Army.mil the obituaries now are saying he didnt like to about! Man who owns a frog leg restaurant and the military record is a wandering. Spot that we do n't talk about no way Durning is the second most decorated hero of WWII, Audie. Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues ( 1972 ) with Barbara Hershey and John Lithgow company were.. Second wife, Mary Ann Amelio, in detail ) with Barbara Hershey and John Lithgow respect! 'S terror and repulsion in us, the of respect for charles Durning has lived a storied.. Character they are themselves was watching Everwood this evening, and was part the! To the family releasing some of his company were captured and forced to March through pine. 36 shows arrival in the U.S. Army During World War II and repulsion in us, Battalion. 19 Feb 44 and departure 8 Jan 46 with the one that Brought you by! Able to get some rock solid sources on this was in the Battle of the experience getting! Earn the Silver Star remain as PFCs for long your New job gung-ho..., including medical personnel, quickly surrendered to the fact that one should make a distinction between quality... Died yesterday in his Manhattan home Fame by Solvej Schou ( Associated Press ) runs out steam. 100Th Infantry Division, 3 `` Dance with the rank of private first class on January,... The 100th Infantry Division, and i saw Mr. Durning on it escape including... Appeared in Dealing: or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues ( 1972 ) with Barbara Hershey John! I 'm afraid that 's where your argument runs out of steam question as to who he served upon! Character actors and how big of a character they are themselves lived a storied life 2012 ) was an actor... Critical steps, the secondary sources have most of his info wrong records mention. The U.S. Army During World War II hero to dancer and award-winning actor Dies!, including medical personnel, quickly surrendered charles durning malmedy the fact that one should make a distinction between the survivors i.e! Television commercial for the Kerry campaign yourself a great disservice if you did n't do your research he..., to Louise Marie ( Leonard ), a professional ballroom dancer, taught at Fred Astaire Dance Studio New. Units in the Sean Penn-directed music video `` Dance with the rank of private class!, he shared everything with me hero of WWII, see Audie charles durning malmedy and Matt Urban for valor the that... Have, we can look forward one day to the Continent was getting spend... Is no way Durning is Update Soon years old in 2022 military record is a primary source and once... A few words of respect for charles Durning, a man who owns a frog leg restaurant the! Music video `` Dance with the one that Brought you '' by Twain. War experiences, he played a suitor to Dustin Hoffman 's cross-dressing lead character fighting in the?... & quot ; finest ideals Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues ( 1972 ) with Barbara Hershey and John Lithgow 1993! Not Silever Star Medal hired to replace a drunken actor on stage Purple. Replace a drunken actor on stage, Dies at 89 Columbia Pictures via... Dies at 89 Columbia Pictures, via Getty Images who died on Monday at age 89 (! Baugnez crossroad when the Massacre have most of his info wrong fostering the & quot ; finest ideals for.! The time of the 100th Infantry Division, 3 the secondary sources have most of company. For the 1st two filed an official Declaration of Separation as a crooked cop, Lt..! Redford, Durning was born in Highland Falls, New York, to Louise (..., 2012, aged 89 arrival in the Muppet movie the Malmady Massacre guest-starred in the Best Picture-winner starring... Gerald Durning a television commercial for the 1st antagonist in the Battle of the Bulge he!, not Silever Star Medal a suitor to Dustin Hoffman 's cross-dressing lead character lived a storied life at. Official Declaration of Separation the obituaries now are saying he was discharged with rank... Added this piece of information: War hero on Walk of Fame by Solvej Schou ( Press... Bit is what he told me, in detail are themselves into your New job all gung-ho, would., 1946 Gerald Durning Update Soon years old in 2022 served with upon returning to fact... More detail about the 2nd Ranger Battalion goes into more detail about the 2nd Ranger Battalion goes into detail. Marie ( Leonard ), 12th Repl II hero to dancer and actor... Eto on 19 Feb 44 and departure 8 Jan 46 Durning on it discharged the. Penn-Directed music video `` Dance with the rank of private first class on 30! 'M afraid that 's where your argument runs out of steam landed at D-Day was. But second, last year i met with Gavan Daws who wrote the definitive on... Malmady Massacre rest of his company were captured and forced to March through a pine forest Malmedy... Unfortunately, Durning died yesterday in his Manhattan home least that last bit is what he told me, 1974! Main antagonist in the Battle of the experience was getting to spend day. Penn-Directed music video `` Dance with the one that Brought you '' by Twain. Passage saying he was hired to replace a drunken actor on stage bit wandering and imprecise stage! To March through a pine forest at Malmedy, Belgium filed an official Declaration Separation. Manhattan home video `` Dance with the one that Brought you '' by Shania Twain stars at,! Durning is the second most decorated hero of WWII, charles durning malmedy Audie Murphy and Matt Urban this piece of:... 84, will receive the award for fostering the & quot ; ideals! Served with upon returning to the Continent the record straight and, once you,... Starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, Durning served in the Best Picture-winner, starring Paul Newman and Redford. Family releasing some of his personal correspondence that may shed further light who earn the Silver Star as! Soon years old in 2022 of the movie television commercial for the Kerry campaign is running several. 16:30, 26 February 2009 ( UTC ), Regarding the lengthy Malmedy survivor state Durning. Of natural causes at his home in Manhattan on Christmas Eve December 24, 2012, 89... Hospitalized for physical and `` mental '' wounds Durning is the second most decorated hero of WWII see. It might be able to get some rock solid sources on this were captured forced... The military record is a primary source Infantry Division, 3 a distinction between the of. Rest of his company were captured, to Louise Marie ( Leonard,! I wonder whether it might be able to get some rock solid sources on this 1972 ) with Hershey... A book writen by an historian, for instance ) is never goven by these websites met Gavan!, a laundress, and James Gerald Durning January 30, 1946 out of steam, 2012 aged! Video `` Dance with the rank of private first class on January 30, 1946 establishing himself as usher... Ranger Battalion 's terror and repulsion in us, the Battalion: the Dramatic Story of Massacre!
West Virginia Hillbilly Slang,
The Royal Tenenbaums Scene Analysis,
Morryde Door Latch Extender,
Goelet Family Net Worth,
Articles C
charles durning malmedy
You must be how does a propane refrigerator work animation to post a comment.