RIP, Charles Durning

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 6:47am

A wonderful character actor on stage and screen.


LINK

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 7:34am

Two of my favorites in one day... Devastating! I'll be watching TOOTSIE tonight.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 9:07am

SCHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULTZ!!!!!!!!!

RIP, sir.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 10:13am

He was an great actor on stage and screen. Even so, I had no idea of what his life was like. Read the Times obit. Just the World War II part is amazing.
Charles Durning

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 11:43am

Just the story of his early childhood, through his introduction to theatre through Burlesque, plus his WWII horror stories, followed by him finding his way out of that mental anguish through acting, is enough for a great movie.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 11:59am

Sad news indeed. I will always treasure his wonderful performances.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 12:49pm

The only redeeming quality Of Best Little Whorehouse movie.

Saw him on Broadway a few times . God we are losing all the great ones one after the other.

[Jon]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 2:39pm

Mr. Roxy just beat me to the punch re: Best Little Whorehouse. His "Sidestep" number was the best thing in the movie.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 2:51pm

I'm watching HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS right now. Such a loss...

Rest in Peace.

[Addison D.]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 3:58pm

For some reason 'Queen of the Stardust Ballroom'--which, BTW, was based on the show "Ballroom", starring Dorothy Loudon & Vincent Gardenia--was an incredibly potent show for my 11 year-old, baby-gay self. For many years afterwards, Durning was "Al, from 'Queen of the Stardust Ballroom'" to me.

And, as others have so truly noted, the only watchable part of the 'Best Little Whorehouse' film.

Rest in Peace; thanks for the memories.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 4:03pm

Think it was the other way around. 1975 for QotSDB. & 78 for Ballroom.

[Addison D.]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 7:45pm

Right you are. I just assumed the show came first; my mistake.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/26/12 at 12:25pm

What an incredible life. I had no idea.