Charles Durning biography

Synopsis

Early Life

Born on February 28, 1923, in Highland Falls, New York, actor Charles Durning built a career on playing on engaging and interesting supporting characters. He grew up in a poor Irish family, and his early life was one of hardship. One of ten children, Durning lost five of his sisters to disease. His father died when he was only twelve.

In his mid-teens, Durning left home to find work. He had a series of factory jobs before he discovered acting. As an usher, Durning got first-hand experience in vaudeville at a Buffalo, New York theater. He even took the stage at times, filling in for comics who were too drunk to perform.

During World War II, Durning served in the U.S. Army. He was part of the first wave of soldiers to reach Omaha Beach in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day in 1944. Captured during the Battle of the Bulge, Durning managed to survive a massacre of American soldiers being held in Belgium. For his service, he received a Silver Star and three Purple Hearts.

Career Beginnings

After the war, Durning returned to the United States still reeling from his experiences overseas. He eventually pursued his dream of becoming an actor. Screen legend James Cagney was an early inspiration. For a time, Durning studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. According to the Los Angeles Times, he didn't exactly wow his instructors there. "They told me, 'You're too short, too fat and have no talent,'" he stated. Durning ignored their criticisms and continued to seek work as an actor.

For many years, Durning lived the life of a struggling actor. He worked numerous jobs during this time, including taxi driver, night watchman and dance instructor. In 1960, Durning landed a role in a touring production, marking his start of his professional career. Primarily a stage actor, he made his first film appearance five years later in Harvey Middleman—Fireman.

After appearing in numerous plays, Durning had a major career breakthrough with That Championship Season in 1972. 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. 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.

Later Successes

By the 1980s, Durning had established himself as a top character actor.