Charles Durning
Source: Wikipedia: Charles Durning
Arts & Music • Historical Archive • 🇺🇸 United States • 7 views

Charles Durning 🇺🇸

Charles Edward Durning
Actor, Highly Decorated WWII Hero, 'The Sting', 'Tootsie'
Born Feb 28, 1923 🇺🇸 Highland Falls, United States
Passed Away Dec 24, 2012 New York City, United States
Lifespan 89 years old
7 views
Notice / Correction
"There's no secret to acting. It's just listening, telling the truth, and keeping your eyes open."

Archival Overview

Celebrated American character actor and decorated World War II hero who earned three Purple Hearts and a Silver Star before earning two Oscar nominations in 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' and 'To Be or Not to Be'.

Biographical Record

Charles Edward Durning landed with the first wave on Omaha Beach on D-Day, survived the Malmedy massacre during the Battle of the Bulge, and was wounded multiple times in combat, receiving the Silver Star and three Purple Hearts. Overcoming profound trauma, he pursued ballroom dance and acting in New York theater.

Durning broke into film prominence as the corrupt police lieutenant Snyder in 'The Sting' (1973) and the police negotiator in 'Dog Day Afternoon' (1975). Over a distinguished career spanning two hundred screen roles, he received Academy Award nominations for 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' (1982) and 'To Be or Not to Be' (1983), and won a Tony Award in 1990 for 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'.

Key Life Milestones

1944

Heroism at Normandy on D-Day

Landed under heavy fire on Omaha Beach during the Allied invasion of Normandy, earning combat decorations for extraordinary valor.

1990

Tony Award for Best Featured Actor

Won the Tony Award for his commanding performance as Big Daddy in the Broadway revival of 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, United States
GPS: 38.8783, -77.0687
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