Charles Durning
Birthday:
Birthplace:
Highland Falls, New York, USA
Before he became an actor, Charles Durning, the son of an Army man, continued in his father's footsteps with valor and distinction, earning a silver star and purple heart in World War II. Durning held down several "joe jobs" -- iron worker, elevator operator, cabbie, waiter, and dance instructor -- until turning to acting in the late 1950s. Fresh from the national tour of The Andersonville Trial, Durning began his long association with Joseph Papp in 1962, distinguishing himself in Shakespearean roles. He made his earliest film appearance in Ernest Pintoff's Harvey Middleman, Fireman (1965). Durning's film roles increased in size and importance after his interpretation of a crooked cop in the Oscar-winning The Sting (1973). He went on to appear in several Burt Reynolds films, most memorably as the singing governor in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982). That performance landed him an Oscar nomination, as did his spin on "Concentration Camp" Erhardt in the 1983 remake of To Be or Not to Be. In 1975, Durning was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of ulcerated police lieutenant Moretti in the theatrical feature Dog Day Afternoon (1975); he finally won that award 15 years later for his work as "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald in the TV miniseries The Kennedys of Massachusetts. Other notable film roles to his credit include Peter Stockmann in the Steve McQueen-produced An Enemy of the People (1978), Dustin Hoffman's "suitor" in the cross-dressing classic Tootsie (1982) (he later co-starred with Hoffman in the 1984 stage revival of Death of a Salesman), and the foredoomed Waring Hudsucker in the Coen Brothers' Hudsucker Proxy (1994).On television, Durning played Lt. Gil McGowan on the daytime soap Another World, officer Frank Murphy in The Cop and the Kid (1975), Big Ed Healey in Captains and the Kings (1976), Studs' dad in Studs Lonigan (1979), private-eye Oscar Poole in Eye to Eye (1985), the title character in PBS' I Would Be Called John: Pope John XXIII (1987), crooked industrialist Dan Packard (the old Wallace Beery role) in Dinner at Eight (1989), and Dr. Harrlan Eldridge in the Burt Reynolds TV vehicle Evening Shade (1990-1994), an assignment which afforded the far-from-sylph-like Durning his first nude scene.While his television and film career have continued to be prolific, Durning has also continued to earn acclaim for his stage work. In 1990, he won a Tony Award for his performance as Big Daddy in the Broadway revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.He continued to work steadily well into his seventies in a variety of projects including Jodie Foster's dysfunctional family comedy/drama Home for the Holidays, the absurd comedy Spy Hard, and Jerry and Tom. At the beginning of the 20th century he reteamed with the Coen Brothers for O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and was part of the impressive ensemble in David Mamet's State and Main. He was also part of the original cast of the firefighter drama series Rescue Me. Durning died at age 89 in late December 2012, two months before his 90th birthday.
Highest Rated Movies
Filmography
MOVIES
RATING | TITLE | CREDIT | BOX OFFICE | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|---|
25% | The Legend of the Chupacabras (La Leyenda del Chupacabras) |
|
— | 2016 |
No Score Yet | Scavenger Killers |
|
— | 2013 |
No Score Yet | Captured Hearts |
|
— | 2013 |
No Score Yet | The Life Zone |
|
— | 2012 |
No Score Yet | An Affirmative Act |
|
— | 2011 |
No Score Yet | The Great Fight |
|
— | 2011 |
No Score Yet | Naked Run |
|
— | 2011 |
No Score Yet | The Waiter |
|
— | 2010 |
No Score Yet | A Bunch of Amateurs |
|
— | 2009 |
No Score Yet | Break |
|
— | 2009 |
No Score Yet | Shannon's Rainbow |
|
— | 2009 |
28% | Chatham (The Golden Boys) |
|
— | 2009 |
No Score Yet | According to Dom |
|
— | 2009 |
No Score Yet | Three Chris's |
|
— | 2009 |
50% | Good Dick |
|
— | 2008 |
No Score Yet | iMurders |
|
— | 2008 |
3% | Deal |
|
— | 2008 |
No Score Yet | Mister Roberts |
|
— | 2008 |
No Score Yet | Miracle Dogs Too |
|
— | 2007 |
No Score Yet | Kinky Killers |
|
— | 2007 |
No Score Yet | Unbeatable Harold |
|
— | 2007 |
No Score Yet | Forget About It |
|
— | 2006 |
No Score Yet | Stephen King's 'Desperation' |
|
— | 2006 |
39% | Local Color |
|
— | 2006 |
No Score Yet | Jesus, Mary and Joey |
|
— | 2006 |
No Score Yet | The Detective |
|
— | 2005 |
7% | Dirty Deeds |
|
— | 2005 |
38% | The L.A. Riot Spectacular |
|
— | 2005 |
No Score Yet | River's End |
|
— | 2005 |
No Score Yet | A Very Married Christmas |
|
— | 2004 |
No Score Yet | A Boyfriend for Christmas |
|
— | 2004 |
75% | Death & Texas |
|
— | 2004 |
No Score Yet | One Last Ride |
|
— | 2003 |
No Score Yet | American Masters |
|
— | 2003 |
No Score Yet | Mr. St. Nick |
|
— | 2002 |
No Score Yet | Mother Ghost |
|
— | 2002 |
No Score Yet | Turn of Faith |
|
— | 2002 |
33% | The Last Producer |
|
— | 2002 |
No Score Yet | Pride & Loyalty |
|
— | 2002 |
No Score Yet | Bleacher Bums |
|
— | 2001 |
No Score Yet | L.A.P.D.: To Protect and to Serve |
|
— | 2001 |
No Score Yet | Steve Martini's 'The Judge' |
|
— | 2001 |
78% | O Brother, Where Art Thou? |
|
$45.2M | 2000 |
85% | State and Main |
|
$5.8M | 2000 |
83% | Lakeboat |
|
— | 2000 |
No Score Yet | The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists |
|
— | 2000 |
No Score Yet | The Final Hit |
|
— | 2000 |
No Score Yet | Hostage Hotel |
|
— | 1999 |
No Score Yet | Not For Ourselves Alone |
|
— | 1999 |
No Score Yet | Justice |
|
— | 1999 |
No Score Yet | The Premonition |
|
— | 1999 |
No Score Yet | Hard Time |
|
— | 1998 |
No Score Yet | A Chance of Snow |
|
— | 1998 |
83% | Hi-Life |
|
— | 1998 |
75% | Jerry and Tom |
|
— | 1998 |
No Score Yet | The Voyage of La Amistad: A Quest for Freedom |
|
— | 1998 |
No Score Yet | Shelter |
|
— | 1997 |
51% | One Fine Day |
|
— | 1996 |
No Score Yet | Mrs. Santa Claus |
|
— | 1996 |
50% | The Grass Harp |
|
— | 1996 |
8% | Spy Hard |
|
— | 1996 |
63% | The Last Supper |
|
— | 1996 |
No Score Yet | Elmo Saves Christmas |
|
— | 1996 |
63% | Home for the Holidays |
|
— | 1995 |
60% | The Land Before Time III: The Time of Great Giving |
|
— | 1995 |
42% | I.Q. |
|
— | 1994 |
59% | The Hudsucker Proxy |
|
— | 1994 |
100% | The Music of Chance |
|
— | 1993 |
57% | When a Stranger Calls Back |
|
— | 1993 |
No Score Yet | Brenda Starr |
|
— | 1992 |
No Score Yet | Tales from Hollywood |
|
— | 1992 |
No Score Yet | The Water Engine |
|
— | 1992 |
21% | V.I. Warshawski |
|
— | 1991 |
No Score Yet | The Return of Eliot Ness |
|
— | 1991 |
No Score Yet | The Story Lady |
|
— | 1991 |
63% | Dick Tracy |
|
— | 1990 |
No Score Yet | Fatal Sky |
|
— | 1989 |
No Score Yet | Dinner at Eight |
|
— | 1989 |
No Score Yet | Prime Target |
|
— | 1989 |
40% | Cat Chaser |
|
— | 1989 |
No Score Yet | It Nearly Wasn't Christmas |
|
— | 1989 |
No Score Yet | Dr. Seuss: The Butter Battle Book |
|
— | 1989 |
No Score Yet | Étoile (Ballet) |
|
— | 1988 |
13% | Far North |
|
— | 1988 |
83% | Cop |
|
— | 1988 |
No Score Yet | A Tiger's Tale |
|
— | 1988 |
No Score Yet | Unholy Matrimony |
|
— | 1988 |
No Score Yet | The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains |
|
— | 1987 |
No Score Yet | The Rosary Murders |
|
— | 1987 |
No Score Yet | Happy New Year |
|
— | 1987 |
No Score Yet | Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues |
|
— | 1987 |
0% | Solarbabies |
|
— | 1986 |
57% | Tough Guys |
|
— | 1986 |
60% | Where the River Runs Black |
|
— | 1986 |
17% | Big Trouble |
|
— | 1986 |
No Score Yet | Private Conversations: On the Set of 'Death of a Salesman' |
|
— | 1985 |
100% | Death of a Salesman |
|
— | 1985 |
No Score Yet | Stand Alone |
|
— | 1985 |
47% | The Man with One Red Shoe |
|
— | 1985 |
38% | Stick |
|
— | 1985 |
No Score Yet | Mass Appeal |
|
— | 1984 |
No Score Yet | Hadley's Rebellion |
|
— | 1984 |
18% | Two of a Kind |
|
— | 1983 |
60% | To Be or Not to Be |
|
— | 1983 |
90% | Tootsie |
|
— | 1982 |
50% | The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas |
|
— | 1982 |
No Score Yet | Working |
|
— | 1982 |
86% | Sharky's Machine |
|
— | 1981 |
50% | Dark Night of the Scarecrow |
|
— | 1981 |
71% | True Confessions |
|
— | 1981 |
No Score Yet | The Best Little Girl in the World |
|
— | 1981 |
47% | The Final Countdown |
|
— | 1980 |
No Score Yet | Die Laughing |
|
— | 1980 |
No Score Yet | Crisis at Central High |
|
— | 1980 |
No Score Yet | Attica |
|
— | 1980 |
83% | Starting Over |
|
— | 1979 |
41% | When a Stranger Calls |
|
— | 1979 |
84% | North Dallas Forty |
|
— | 1979 |
88% | The Muppet Movie |
|
— | 1979 |
No Score Yet | Tilt |
|
— | 1979 |
No Score Yet | An Enemy of the People |
|
— | 1978 |
76% | The Fury |
|
— | 1978 |
No Score Yet | The Greek Tycoon |
|
— | 1978 |
44% | The Choirboys |
|
— | 1977 |
80% | Twilight's Last Gleaming |
|
— | 1977 |
56% | Harry and Walter Go to New York |
|
— | 1976 |
60% | Breakheart Pass |
|
— | 1975 |
96% | Dog Day Afternoon |
|
— | 1975 |
80% | Queen of the Stardust Ballroom |
|
— | 1975 |
36% | The Hindenburg |
|
— | 1975 |
67% | The Front Page |
|
— | 1974 |
94% | The Sting |
|
— | 1973 |
87% | Sisters |
|
— | 1973 |
No Score Yet | The Connection |
|
— | 1973 |
No Score Yet | Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues |
|
— | 1972 |
No Score Yet | Doomsday Voyage |
|
— | 1972 |
No Score Yet | Deadhead Miles |
|
— | 1972 |
No Score Yet | The Pursuit of Happiness |
|
— | 1971 |
No Score Yet | I Walk the Line |
|
— | 1970 |
73% | Hi, Mom! |
|
— | 1970 |
No Score Yet | Stiletto |
|
— | 1969 |
TV
RATING | TITLE | CREDIT | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
89% |
Rescue Me
2004-2011
|
|
|
No Score Yet |
Family Guy
1999
|
|
|
91% |
Monk
2002-2009
|
|
|
93% |
Everwood
2002-2006
|
|
|
No Score Yet |
NCIS
2003
|
|
|
No Score Yet |
American Masters
2001
|
|
|
No Score Yet |
Touched by an Angel
1994-2003
|
|
|
21% |
First Monday
2002
|
|
|
No Score Yet |
Everybody Loves Raymond
1996-2005
|
|
|
62% |
Arli$$
1996-2002
|
|
|
No Score Yet |
Citizen Baines
2001
|
|
|
No Score Yet |
Early Edition
1996-2000
|
|
|
No Score Yet |
The Practice
1997-2004
|
|
|
91% |
Homicide: Life on the Street
1993-1999
|
|
|
No Score Yet |
Evening Shade
1990-1994
|
|
|
No Score Yet |
American Playhouse
1982-1996
|
|
|
No Score Yet |
All in the Family
1971-1979
|
|
|
No Score Yet |
The High Chaparral
1967-1971
|
|
|
No Score Yet |
Orleans
1997
|
|
|
Quotes from Charles Durning's Characters
Vic: | You had to be insane not to shoot Reagan. |
Pappy O'Daniel: | Thank God, your mama died givin' birth. If she'd have seen you, she'd have died of shame. |
Sonny: | Kiss me. Kiss me on the lips. |
N.Y. Detective Moretti: | What for?! |
Sonny: | When I'm getting fucked I like to be kissed. |
John Clifford: | [to Tracy, about Curt's murders] After the coroner's investigation the bodies were taken to the mortuary where the undertaker took one look at them and said their bodies couldn't be reconstructed for the burial without six days of steady work. Then he asked what had been the murder weapon, because looking at the mess in front of him he couldn't imagine what had been used. The coroner told him there had been no murder weapon. The killer had used only his hands. |
Father Ted Nabors: | We're saving souls, not lives. |
Les: | The only reason you're still living is because I never kissed you. |
Friscoe: | "I got THREE years to retire!...." |
Friscoe: | I got THREE years to retire! |
Pappy O'Daniel: | Thank God your mama died giving birth. If she'd have seen you, she'd have died of shame. |