Posted on 12/25/2012 7:46:53 AM PST by Perdogg
Charles Durning, who overcame poverty, battlefield trauma and nagging self-doubt to become an acclaimed character actor, whether on stage as Big Daddy in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” or in film as the lonely widower smitten with a cross-dressing Dustin Hoffman in “Tootsie,” died Monday in New York. He was 89. He died of natural causes, The Associated Press reported, citing Judith Moss, his agent and friend
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
That’s two!
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.
He did a one man show on PBS years ago called “Casey Stengel”. It was absolutely marvelous. A great talent who will be missed.
I read where he was involved in the D Day invasion and participated in that climb up the cliff to get at the German guns.
He was great as the slimy politician in “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”, too. RIP.
I resent the fact that they labeled him a “character actor”. Unless you give him credit as an actor and a person with character! I wish I would have had the opportunity to thank him for his service when he was alive. RIP sir!
He was one of those guys you’ve seen in a hundred roles, even if you never remembered his name. He was great as Pappy O’Daniel in “Oh Brother Where Art Thou”, and Detective Yablonski, Lancaster and Douglas’ antagonist in “Tough Guys”.
Yes...that was my fav with him!
Three words:
“DOG DAY AFTERNOON”
WOW!
Hand Salute
Sad news indeed. He was a fine actor.
I adored Durning. He was sheer perfection as Pappy O'Daniel. Also loved him on TV in Evening Shade, and as Father Hubley in Everybody Loves Raymond.
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.
I salute this brave soldier, a winner of the Silver Star.
He will be missed.
Charles Durning served in the 116th. Regiment of the 29th. Infantry Division. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day. May he rest in peace.
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