BB Creations: February Star OF The Month-Charles Durning

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

February Star OF The Month-Charles Durning

CHARLES DURNING

BIRTH: February 28, 1923

DEATH: December 24, 2012

AGED: 89 years

DIED FROM: Natural Causes

NICKNAME: Charlie

MARRIED: Twice

CHILDREN: 3 children

FAMOUS FRIENDS: Burt Reynolds

OSCAR WINS: none

OSCAR NOMINATIONS: Twice- The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas-1983 and To Be Or Not To Be-1984

TALENT: Ballroom dancing. His adeptness in acting

KNOWN FOR: his bravery and valour in WW2. His Privacy, his genial and helpful nature towards everyone.

This man was one prolific actor who appeared in many films, TV series and Broadway winning a Tony, Golden Glove and nominated for an Emmy 9 times, no small feat for an actor kicked out of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts for having no talent. Thankfully, he forged ahead, not listening to the so-called experts, and became one of the most respected and well-liked actors and men of his craft. He could play drama and comedy with equal aplomb making laugh every time he was on “Everybody Loves Raymond” as the priest who must deal with the Ramone family.

This actor came from a family of 10 children but, sadly, 5 of his sisters died from Scarlett Fever or Small Pox 3 in the span of 2 weeks. Honestly, I don’t know how his mom dealt with such loss, nor his dad. His dad died when he was 13 leaving his mom to run the family. Durning was always a fighter but with twinkle toes because he taught ballroom dancing at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in New York City! Yes, he was a professional ballroom dancer who caught the acting bug and got his break in Burlesque. From there, he worked he was to Broadway, onto TV and films. To say he was busy would be an understatement and he loved it. After his first marriage failed, he met up with his high-school sweetheart, marrying her and enjoying this second act. Sadly, they did separate in 2010 but remained married until he died.

War Hero!!! He never gave up and his bravery and luck got him through some of the most hellish experiences during World War 2. He was in the D Day invasion and was the only one from his unit to survive the landing on Omaha Beach. He was shot in the hip and leg( several times) where he convalesced for 6 months learning how to walk again. He pleaded, several times, to be released so he could join his unit in Belgium, but was told “No!” He left anyway and joined his unit in Belgium and fought in the Battle of the Bulge where he had hand to hand combat with a German soldier who stabbed him 8 times with his bayonet. Durning still found the strength to find a rock and kill the soldier with the rock. Shortly after this, he was captured by German Waffen SS. 90 U. S. Soldiers were marched by the German SS to Malmedy where they were grouped in a field only to be machine gunned down! The Malmedy Massacre is an infamous moment with only 3 survivors, Charles Durning was one of them. Durning mentioned he fell on to the bodies of his comrades faking death. I could not find more information how he survived the rest but, he did recuperating from all his wounds in a hospital until 1946. He took Ballroom dancing to strengthen his his and leg from the injuries he sustained. He did suffer from PTSD for years and rarely spoke about his experiences. Later in life, he worked on behalf of the Legion promoting the valour of the soldiers in all wars.

He received the Silver Star, The Bronze Star, 3 Purple Hearts, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle-Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Device, 2 Bronze Service Stars and World War 2 Victory Medal. He also received the Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Bade with Rifle Bar, Honourable Service Lapel Pin and, from the French, The Legion of Honour but, in 2008.

FILMS

1. Tootsie-1982

2. The Muppet Movie-1979

3. The Sting-1973

4. Queen of the Starduxt Ballroom-1975

5. North Dallas Forty-1979

6. True Confessions-1981

7. Dog Day Afternoon-1975

8. Tough Guys-1986

9. The Hindenburg-1975

10. Sharky’s Machine-1981

11. O Brother, Where Art Thou-2000