I was trying to place the face for a minute, then I remembered him in “O Brother, Where Art Thou”:
“We’re not here to make a record, ya dumb cracker!”
He was great in that. He was good as that senator in “The Final Countdown” too.
I, too, remember Mr. Durning’s performance as the circa-1941 U.S. Senator in “The Final Countdown,” even though the USS Nimitz was the real star of that time-warp movie.
Durning was great in his role as the governor of Texas in “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” His song, “Ooh, I love to dance the little side step” was classic. When a reporter in the movie asked the “governor” about the situation in the Middle East, Durning’s character replied, “It behooves the Jews and the A-rabs to settle their differences in a Christian manner.” Or words to that effect. Great role.
Mr. Durning also had the re-curring role on “Everybody Loves Raymond” as Father Hubley, the Catholic priest whose flock included the Barone family.
I was unaware of his amazing military service in World War II.