Charles Durning Has Passed Away

[AragornElessar]

Jack Klugman yesterday and now this sad news today...

CBC News ~ Charles Durning, king of character actors, dies at 89

I always loved him and that spark he always had in his eyes. Will miss him.

God Speed Sir and Thank you!!

[Rex]

[Wyliefan]

Man, they're dropping like flies. R.I.P.

[danceronice]

Funny, I just watched the NCIS episode in which he guest starred (as a Pacific-theater Marine veteran presented with the Medal of Honor), now he's really being buried in Arlington Cemetery (as he should be, as a decorated D-Day veteran and former POW.)

[skatesindreams]

He was a great American; and a great actor.
I will miss him; as I continue to enjoy the body of work he left with us.
What a wonderful legacy.

The only time I heard him speak about his military experiences was during several PBS tribute specials.
He talked about D-Day; and barely surviving the carnage around him, as his friends did not.
As he spoke, tears streamed down his face.

Here's the very special clip. He was introduced by Tom Hanks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0GV...=results_video

From the New York Times:

He was among the first wave of U.S. soldiers to land at Normandy during the D-Day invasion and the only member of his Army unit to survive. He killed several Germans and was wounded in the leg. Later he was bayoneted by a young German soldier whom he killed with a rock. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and survived a massacre of prisoners.

More from the Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/26/mo...pagewanted=all

Thank you!
RIP

[AragornElessar]

danceronice, in the link I put in my first post and start of the thread, the family has released a statement saying they're in middle of planning a private funeral and burial for him at Arlington.

As should be.

I also thought of that NCIS Episode when I heard the news. So very bittersweet, but also a lovely tribute to all of our Vets and what they deal w/everyday w/their memories. I adore that one scene where he dances w/Kate in the Bullpen. Sigh...Lucky Sasha!!

[mrinalini]

Oh, no. I thought him a wonderful presence and loved him in Everybody Loves Raymond (as Father Hubley), Tootsie, and many other character roles in productions all of which I've liked. I liken him to Peter Boyle (who was the father on Raymond) in this respect, in that they were such good character actors as they kept popping up in such high quality work. I had also read of Mr. Durning's wartime history and that had only doubled my respect for him.

RIP, Mr. Durning - you will be fondly remembered.

[Wyliefan]

He was always a highlight of those National Memorial Day Concerts. I hope they do a nice tribute to him at the next one.

[Buzz]

Wonderful actor and one of the US most decorated soldiers. R.I.P.

[Latte]

Oh heck. I just loved that old guy.
I wil always remember him as the crooked Senator in The Best Little Whore House In Texas.
He brought the house down with a song and dance number.
Rest in Peace Hero.

[Garden Kitty]

I always liked him in the movies, but I had no idea about his background and military service. Very impressive man.

[emason]

15ish or so years ago I saw Charles Durning and Julie Harris on Broadway in a revival of The Gin Game. I never go to Broadway (just not my thing), but I was working in the same office as Doug Durning at the time, and he insisted I go see his old man in action. I'm so glad I did; it was a great night of theater. IIRC there was a brief moment of Durning and Harris dancing together. It was something Harris insisted on as apparently Durning was a great social dancer and Harris thought he should show it off.

So, Doug, wherever you are now, condolences to you and your family.

[skatesindreams]

Durning was a great social dancer and Harris thought he should show it off.

In his early life, he was a instructor for the "Arthur Murray" dance schools.
He met his first wife there.

It's why he was a "natural" for the great TV movie "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom", as well.

[Cyn]

RIP, Mr. Durning -- A wonderful actor, courageous soldier, and amazing American.

That clip of his description of what he went through on D-Day had me in tears.

Funny, I just watched the NCIS episode in which he guest starred (as a Pacific-theater Marine veteran presented with the Medal of Honor), now he's really being buried in Arlington Cemetery (as he should be, as a decorated D-Day veteran and former POW.)

I, too, immediately thought about that episode of NCIS as it is one of my favorites.

I also loved his character in Tootsie, putting the moves on Dorothy Michaels/Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) .

[emason]

In his early life, he was a instructor for the "Arthur Murray" dance schools.
He met his first wife there.

It's why he was a "natural" for the great TV movie "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom", as well.

Thanks for the info. I didn't know this.

[AragornElessar]

It's also why I said lucky Sasha who got a chance to dance in a scene w/Mr. Durning in that NCIS episode a few of us have mentioned. He really looked to be dancing on air he was so smooth and had such flow.

I wonder how many takes it took simply because the both of them didn't want it to end?

[skatesindreams]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know this.

His early TV interviews, often with Merv Griffin, were illuminating.