Charles Edward Durning (February 28, 1923 â December 24, 2012) was an American actor who appeared in over 200 movies, television shows and plays. Durning’s best-known films include The Sting (1973), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), The Muppet Movie (1979), True Confessions (1981), Tootsie (1982), Dick Tracy (1990), and O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000). He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for both The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) and To Be or Not to Be (1983). Prior to his acting career, Durning served in World War II and was decorated for valor in combat.
He fought in WWII and was the only man to survive in his group. In 1944, when Durning was drafted, he was placed in the 1st Infantry Division and was in one of the first groups that set sail to Omaha Beach during the Normandy invasion. As an infantryman, Durning was among the first replacement units to set foot on the beach on D-Day and had to fight off several German soldiers.
However, he was not unscathed and received wounds to his leg and body from German gunners and shrapnel from a German mine. During his military career, these would not be the only injuries he would receive as he was also stabbed eight times with a bayonet by a German soldier. After D-Day, he was reassigned to the 398th Infantry Regiment during the Battle of the Bulge, and during this battle, Durning found himself taken prisoner but managed to escape.
Shortly after this event, a gunshot wound to the chest was the deciding factor that ended his military service. Eventually, in 1946, he was discharged from the Army as a Private First class and awarded several medals. These military awards included three Purple Hearts, Silver Star, Bronze Star, and many more.
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