Charles Durning (1923-2012)

Charles Durning, one of the quintessential character actors, passed away yesterday in his Manhattan apartment.

On film, Durning made memorable appearances in ‘The Sting’, ‘Dog Day Afternoon’, and ‘Tootsie’. Durning received back to back Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his roles in ‘The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas’ and ‘To Be Or Not To Be’. The Coen brothers gave him extended supporting roles in ‘The Hudsucker Proxy’ and ‘O Brother Where Art Thou’. Durning also received 9 Emmy nominations for his television work and won a Golden Globe for his performance as John ‘Honey Fitz’ Fitzgerald on the mini-series ‘The Kennedys Of Massachusetts’. Durning also won a Tony for his portrayal of Big Daddy in the revival of ‘Cat On A Hot Tin Roof’.

In 2008, Durning received the Screen Actor’s Guild Lifetime Achievement Award and was also awarded a star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

Charles Durning was 89.