Charles Durning

Biography

Charles Durning was an American actor with more than 200 film, television, and stage credits. Born in Highland Falls, New York, he began acting in 1951 after replacing an actor on stage while working as a theater usher. He built experience in stock companies, off-Broadway, and the New York Shakespeare Festival. After seeing him in That Championship Season, director George Roy Hill cast him in The Sting (1973). His other notable films included Dog Day Afternoon, The Muppet Movie, True Confessions, Tootsie, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, To Be or Not to Be, and O Brother, Where Art Thou? On television he had roles in Evening Shade, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Rescue Me. He received Academy Award nominations for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and To Be or Not to Be, a Golden Globe, a Tony Award, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2008.

89years old at death

Born February 28, 1923Highland Falls
Died December 24, 2012New York City
Star sign: PiscesThe sign runs February 19 to March 20
Charles Edward Durning (birth name)

Movie Career

Films: 67
Career span: 39 years1970 to 2009

Genres

Comedy57%, 38 films
Drama49%, 33 films
Crime21%, 14 films
Romance21%, 14 films
Thriller15%, 10 films

First and latest

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A change of course
Durning was a professional ballroom dancer and taught at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in New York City while he pursued acting.
Big break
George Roy Hill offered Durning a role in The Sting after being impressed by his performance in the play That Championship Season.
Behind the award
In April 2008, Durning was given the French National Order of the Legion of Honor by the French Consul in Los Angeles.

Charles Durning movies on Netflix

Amazing Racer2009IMDb rating 5.5as Floyd
A Bunch of Amateurs2008IMDb rating 6.0as Charlie Rosenberg
Deal2008IMDb rating 5.3as Charlie Adler
The Golden Boys2008IMDb rating 6.0as John Bartlett
Desperation2006IMDb rating 5.3as Tom Billingsley
Local Color2006IMDb rating 6.8as Yammi
Miracle Dogs Too2006IMDb rating 4.8as Captain Pete Weaver
Dirty Deeds2005IMDb rating 5.7as Victor Rasdale
Jesus, Mary and Joey2005IMDb rating 4.8as Teddy the Bartender
A Boyfriend for Christmas2004IMDb rating 6.5as Santa Claus
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There2003IMDb rating 8.3as Himself
A Constant Forge2000IMDb rating 7.4as Himself
O Brother, Where Art Thou?2000IMDb rating 7.7as Pappy O'Daniel
State and Main2000IMDb rating 6.7as Mayor George Bailey
The Last Producer2000IMDb rating 4.6as Syd Wolf
Hi-Life1998IMDb rating 5.6as Fatty
Jerry and Tom1998IMDb rating 6.5as Vic
Mrs. Santa Claus1996IMDb rating 6.6as Santa Claus
One Fine Day1996IMDb rating 6.5as Lew
Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas1996IMDb rating 6.6as Santa Claus
Spy Hard1996IMDb rating 5.3as The Director
The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists1996IMDb rating 5.7as Archie (voice)
Home for the Holidays1995IMDb rating 6.6as Henry Larson
The Grass Harp1995IMDb rating 6.6as Rev. Buster
The Last Supper1995IMDb rating 6.7as Reverend Gerald Hutchens
I.Q.1994IMDb rating 6.2as Louis Bamberger
The Hudsucker Proxy1994IMDb rating 7.2as Waring Hudsucker
The Music of Chance1993IMDb rating 7.0as Bill Flower
When a Stranger Calls Back1993IMDb rating 6.1as John Clifford
V.I. Warshawski1991IMDb rating 5.0as Lt. Mallory
Brenda Starr1989IMDb rating 4.8as Editor Francis I. Livright
Cat Chaser1989IMDb rating 5.2as Jiggs Scully
Etoile1989IMDb rating 5.9as Uncle Joshua
Cop1988IMDb rating 6.4as Dutch Peltz
The Rosary Murders1987IMDb rating 5.8as Father Ted Nabors
Big Trouble1986IMDb rating 5.2as O'Mara
Solarbabies1986IMDb rating 4.8as The Warden
Tough Guys1986IMDb rating 6.3as Deke Yablonski
Death of a Salesman1985IMDb rating 7.2as Charley
Stick1985IMDb rating 5.7as Chucky
The Man with One Red Shoe1985IMDb rating 5.7as Ross
To Be or Not to Be1983IMDb rating 6.9as Col. Erhardt
Two of a Kind1983IMDb rating 4.8as Charlie
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas1982IMDb rating 6.2as Governor
Tootsie1982IMDb rating 7.4as Les
Dark Night of the Scarecrow1981IMDb rating 6.7as Otis P. Hazelrigg
Sharky's Machine1981IMDb rating 6.3as Lt. Friscoe
True Confessions1981IMDb rating 6.3as Jack Amsterdam
Die Laughing1980IMDb rating 4.9as Arnold
The Final Countdown1980IMDb rating 6.7as Senator Samuel Chapman
North Dallas Forty1979IMDb rating 6.9as Coach Johnson
Starting Over1979IMDb rating 6.4as Michael (Mickey) Potter
The Muppet Movie1979IMDb rating 7.6as Doc Hopper
When a Stranger Calls1979IMDb rating 6.4as John Clifford
The Fury1978IMDb rating 6.3as Dr. Jim McKeever
The Greek Tycoon1978IMDb rating 5.4as Michael Russell
The Choirboys1977IMDb rating 5.6as Spermwhale Whalen
Twilight's Last Gleaming1977IMDb rating 6.7as President David T. Stevens
Harry and Walter Go to New York1976IMDb rating 5.4as Rufus T. Crisp
Breakheart Pass1975IMDb rating 6.7as O'Brien
Dog Day Afternoon1975IMDb rating 8.0as Moretti
The Hindenburg1975IMDb rating 6.3as Captain Pruss
The Front Page1974IMDb rating 7.3as Murphy
Sisters1973IMDb rating 6.8as Joseph Larch
The Sting1973IMDb rating 8.2as Lt. Wm. Snyder
Hi, Mom!1970IMDb rating 6.1as Superintendent
I Walk the Line1970IMDb rating 6.5as Wylie Hunnicutt

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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Dog Day Afternoon1975 Crime, Dramaas Moretti
IMDb rating 8.0295K votes
The Sting1973 Comedy, Crime, Dramaas Lt. Wm. Snyder
IMDb rating 8.2306K votes
O Brother, Where Art Thou?2000as Pappy O'Daniel
IMDb rating 7.7356K votes
Tootsie1982as Les
IMDb rating 7.4124K votes
The Hudsucker Proxy1994as Waring Hudsucker
IMDb rating 7.291K votes
Spy Hard1996as The Director
IMDb rating 5.343K votes
One Fine Day1996as Lew
IMDb rating 6.551K votes
Sisters1973as Joseph Larch
IMDb rating 6.824K votes

Most often with

Brian De Palma directed three of these films, Fred Walton three and Burt Reynolds three. Burt Reynolds appears in seven of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Burt Reynolds

Carol Kane

Austin Pendleton

Ron Perlman

Kirk Douglas

Dabney Coleman

Brian De PalmaDirector, 3 films

Fred WaltonDirector, 3 films

Burt ReynoldsDirector, 3 films

Films together

Burt Reynolds7 films together, 1979 to 2008
Burt Reynolds's page
- A Bunch of Amateurs2008IMDb rating 6.0Durning as Charlie RosenbergReynolds as Jefferson Steel
- Deal2008IMDb rating 5.3Durning as Charlie AdlerReynolds as Tommy Vinson
- The Last Producer2000IMDb rating 4.6Durning as Syd WolfReynolds as Sonny Wexler
- Stick1985IMDb rating 5.7Durning as ChuckyReynolds as Stick
- The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas1982IMDb rating 6.2Durning as GovernorReynolds as Sheriff
- Sharky's Machine1981IMDb rating 6.3Durning as Lt. FriscoeReynolds as Sgt. Tom Sharky
- Starting Over1979IMDb rating 6.4Durning as Michael (Mickey) PotterReynolds as Phil Potter
Carol Kane6 films together, 1975 to 2000
Carol Kane's page
- A Constant Forge2000IMDb rating 7.4Durning as HimselfKane as Herself
- When a Stranger Calls Back1993IMDb rating 6.1Durning as John CliffordKane as Jill Johnson
- The Muppet Movie1979IMDb rating 7.6Durning as Doc HopperKane as "Myth"
- When a Stranger Calls1979IMDb rating 6.4Durning as John CliffordKane as Jill Johnson
- Harry and Walter Go to New York1976IMDb rating 5.4Durning as Rufus T. CrispKane as Florence
- Dog Day Afternoon1975IMDb rating 8.0Durning as MorettiKane as Jenny
Austin Pendleton4 films together, 1974 to 1995
Austin Pendleton's page
- Home for the Holidays1995IMDb rating 6.6Durning as Henry LarsonPendleton as Peter Arnold
- Starting Over1979IMDb rating 6.4Durning as Michael (Mickey) PotterPendleton as Paul
- The Muppet Movie1979IMDb rating 7.6Durning as Doc HopperPendleton as Max
- The Front Page1974IMDb rating 7.3Durning as MurphyPendleton as Earl Williams
Ron Perlman3 films together, 1995 to 2006
Ron Perlman's page
- Desperation2006IMDb rating 5.3Durning as Tom BillingsleyPerlman as Collie Entragian
- Local Color2006IMDb rating 6.8Durning as YammiPerlman as Curtis Sunday
- The Last Supper1995IMDb rating 6.7Durning as Reverend Gerald HutchensPerlman as Norman Arbuthnot
Kirk Douglas3 films together, 1978 to 1986
Kirk Douglas's page
- Tough Guys1986IMDb rating 6.3Durning as Deke YablonskiDouglas as Archie Long
- The Final Countdown1980IMDb rating 6.7Durning as Senator Samuel ChapmanDouglas as Capt. Matthew Yelland
- The Fury1978IMDb rating 6.3Durning as Dr. Jim McKeeverDouglas as Peter Sandza
Dabney Coleman3 films together, 1979 to 1985
Dabney Coleman's page
- The Man with One Red Shoe1985IMDb rating 5.7Durning as RossColeman as Cooper
- Tootsie1982IMDb rating 7.4Durning as LesColeman as Ron
- North Dallas Forty1979IMDb rating 6.9Durning as Coach JohnsonColeman as Emmett Hunter
Brian De PalmaDirector, 3 films, 1970 to 1978
All films by Brian De Palma
- The Fury1978IMDb rating 6.3Durning as Dr. Jim McKeever
- Sisters1973IMDb rating 6.8Durning as Joseph Larch
- Hi, Mom!1970IMDb rating 6.1Durning as Superintendent
Fred WaltonDirector, 3 films, 1979 to 1993
All films by Fred Walton
- When a Stranger Calls Back1993IMDb rating 6.1Durning as John Clifford
- The Rosary Murders1987IMDb rating 5.8Durning as Father Ted Nabors
- When a Stranger Calls1979IMDb rating 6.4Durning as John Clifford
Burt ReynoldsDirector, 3 films, 1981 to 2000
All films by Burt Reynolds
- The Last Producer2000IMDb rating 4.6Durning as Syd Wolf
- Stick1985IMDb rating 5.7Durning as Chucky
- Sharky's Machine1981IMDb rating 6.3Durning as Lt. Friscoe
Also three films together7 more actors
- Walter MatthauThe Grass Harp (1995), I.Q. (1994) and The Front Page (1974)
- Anne BancroftHome for the Holidays (1995), To Be or Not to Be (1983) and The Hindenburg (1975)
- Burt YoungThe Choirboys (1977), Twilight's Last Gleaming (1977) and Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976)
- Rutanya AldaWhen a Stranger Calls (1979), The Fury (1978) and Hi, Mom! (1970)
- Val AveryA Constant Forge (2000), Sharky's Machine (1981) and Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976)
- Lesley Ann WarrenMiracle Dogs Too (2006), Cop (1988) and Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976)
- Robert CostanzoJesus, Mary and Joey (2005), The Last Producer (2000) and Two of a Kind (1983)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.

Box office

What Charles Durning's films earned in cinemas worldwide.

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Combined worldwide box office

$1.1 billion

34 of the 67 films have a worldwide figure.

34Worldwide figure
9US gross only
8Never in cinemas
16Figure not found

Top grosser

Tootsie1982Les$177 million

Highest grossing

The eight biggest films earned 69% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.

1
Tootsie1982as Les
$177M16.4% of the total
2
The Sting1973as Lt. Wm. Snyder
$160M14.8% of the total
3
One Fine Day1996as Lew
$98M9.0% of the total
4
The Muppet Movie1979as Doc Hopper
$76M7.1% of the total
5
O Brother, Where Art Thou?2000as Pappy O'Daniel
$72M6.6% of the total
6
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas1982as Governor
$70M6.4% of the total
7
Dog Day Afternoon1975as Moretti
$57M5.2% of the total
8
Starting Over1979as Michael (Mickey) Potter
$36M3.3% of the total

North Dallas Forty (1979), $26.1 million

When a Stranger Calls (1979), $25.0 million

Home for the Holidays (1995), $22.1 million

The Final Countdown (1980), $16.6 million

To Be or Not to Be (1983), $13.0 million

The Man with One Red Shoe (1985), $8.6 million

$337 millionfrom the other 26 films with a worldwide figure, 31% of the total

Awards

Nine awards and honors from 1990 to 2006, two of them major.

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Charles Durning's awards and nominations, grouped by award
Year	Award	Result
SAG Awards
	Life Achievement Award	Won
Tony Awards
1990	Best Featured Actor in a Play	Won
Other honors
2006	Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actor	Won
	Bronze Star Medal	Won
	Drama League Award	Won
	Legion of Honour	Won
	Purple Heart	Won
	Silver Star	Won
	Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame	Honored

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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