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Charles Durning Biography
Birth Name:Charles Durning
Birth Place:Highland Falls, New York, United States
Profession Actor, Soundtrack
Fast Facts
- Awarded the National Order of the Legion of Honor for his service in World War II
- Was a one-year chairman of the U․S․ National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans
- Started in showbusiness when he was working as an usher at a burlesque show and decided to go on for a comic who was too drunk to perform
- Quote: "I can't count how many of my friends are in the cemetery at Normandy․ The heroes are still there, the real heroes․"
- Widely known as a character actor for his versatility
- Frequently portrays tough characters in his films
- Originally trained as a classical dancer early in his career
- Was kicked out of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts because the school believed that he did not have any talent
- Was in contention for the role of General Worden in "The Dirty Dozen․"
- Was the only soldier in his unit to survive the Normandy Invasion of France on D-Day in 1941
Awards
- 1975NBR Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
- 1975Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Special Program - Drama or Comedy: nominated
- 1976Golden Globe-Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture: nominated
- 1977Golden Globe-Best Supporting Actor - Television: nominated
- 1977Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Series: nominated
- 1980Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
- 1983Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
- 1984Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
- 1984Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
- 1986Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
- 1989ACE-Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
- 1991Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
- 1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
- 1992Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
- 1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
- 2000NBR Award-Best Acting by an Ensemble: winner
- 2001FFCC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
- 2001OFCS Award-Best Ensemble: winner
- 2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
- 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated