![]() Three years later, he received another Academy Award nod for the Mel Brooks comedy To Be or Not to Be, in which he played a Nazi officer in the film and co-starred with Anne Bancroft, Christopher Lloyd and José Ferrer. In the film, he plays the widowed father of Lange's character. Durning gave another impressive performance in the comedy Tootsie starring Dustin Hoffman and Jessica Lange. He received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for the Dolly Parton musical Best Little Whorehouse in Texas in 1982. Later Successesīy the 1980s, Durning had established himself as a top character actor. Soon after Durning had a supporting role in the Robert Redford and Paul Newman comedy The Sting (1973), and a couple years later, he picked up his first Emmy Award for the television movie Queen of the Stardust Ballroom with Maureen Stapleton. He won a Drama Desk Award for his work in the original play by Jason Miller, which helped open new doors for him in film and television. Primarily a stage actor, he made his first film appearance five years later in Harvey Middleman-Fireman.Īfter appearing in numerous plays, Durning had a major career breakthrough with That Championship Season in 1972. In 1960, Durning landed a role in a touring production, marking his start of his professional career. He worked numerous jobs during this time, including taxi driver, night watchman and dance instructor. Durning ignored their criticisms and continued to seek work as an actor.įor many years, Durning lived the life of a struggling actor. "They told me, 'You're too short, too fat and have no talent,'" he stated. According to the Los Angeles Times, he didn't exactly wow his instructors there. For a time, Durning studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Screen legend James Cagney was an early inspiration. He eventually pursued his dream of becoming an actor. Career BeginningsĪfter the war, Durning returned to the United States still reeling from his experiences overseas. For his service, he received a Silver Star and three Purple Hearts. Captured during the Battle of the Bulge, Durning managed to survive a massacre of American soldiers being held in Belgium. He was part of the first wave of soldiers to reach Omaha Beach in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day in 1944. He even took the stage at times, filling in for comics who were too drunk to perform.ĭuring World War II, Durning served in the U.S. ![]() As an usher, Durning got first-hand experience in vaudeville at a Buffalo, New York theater. ![]() He had a series of factory jobs before he discovered acting. ![]() In his mid-teens, Durning left home to find work. One of ten children, Durning lost five of his sisters to disease. He grew up in a poor Irish family, and his early life was one of hardship. Early Lifeīorn on February 28, 1923, in Highland Falls, New York, actor Charles Durning built a career on playing on engaging and interesting supporting characters. In 1990, Durning won a Tony Award for the Tennessee Williams' play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He received an Academy Award nomination in 1982 for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and again in 1985 for To Be or Not to Be. Roles in such films as The Sting (1973) soon followed. He had a career breakthrough with the 1972 play That Championship Season on Broadway. Synopsisīorn in 1923, actor Charles Durning served in the U.S. He also had roles on such shows as Rescue Me, Everybody Loves Raymond and Evening Shade. Actor Charles Durning appeared in such films as The Sting, Tootsie and Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
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