Charles Durning Biography (1923-)

Born February 28, 1923, in Highland Falls, NY; married first wife Carol (divorced, 1972); married Mary Ann Amelio, 1974 (some sources site 1973); children: (first marriage) Michele (an actress), Douglas, Jeanine; (second marriage)two stepchildren.

Nationality
American
Gender
Male
Occupation
Actor
Birth Details
February 28, 1923
Highland Falls, New York, United States

Famous Works

  • CREDITS
  • Stage Appearances
  • First servant to Cornwall, King Lear, New York Shakespeare Festival, Delacorte Theatre, New York City, 1962
  • Lucius, Julius Caesar, New York Shakespeare Festival, Heckscher Theatre, New York City, 1962
  • Porter and Seyton, Macbeth, New York Shakespeare Festival, Heckscher Theatre, 1962
  • Stephano, The Tempest, New York Shakespeare Festival, Delacorte Theatre, 1962
  • Clown, Antony and Cleopatra, New York Shakespeare Festival, Delacorte Theatre, 1963
  • Corin, As You Like It, New York Shakespeare Festival, Delacorte Theatre, 1963
  • Clown, The Winter's Tale, New York Shakespeare Festival, DelacorteTheatre, 1963
  • Feste, Twelfth Night, New York Shakespeare Festival, Heckscher Theatre, 1963
  • Purser and a Cuban, Too Much Johnson, Phoenix Theatre, 1964
  • Paul Rudd, The Child Buyer, Garrick Theatre, New York City, 1964-1965
  • Grumio, The Taming of the Shrew, New York Shakespeare Festival, Delacorte Mobile Theatre, New York City, 1965
  • Pincer, Drat! The Cat!, Martin Beck Theatre, New York City, 1965
  • Pistol, King Henry V, New York Shakespeare Festival, Delacorte Mobile Theatre, 1965
  • Dean Steward and Maurice, Pousse-Cafe, 46th Street Theatre, New York City, 1966
  • First murderer, Richard III, New York Shakespeare Festival, Delacorte Theatre, 1966
  • Lavatch, All's Well That Ends Well, New York Shakespeare Festival,Delacorte Theatre, 1966
  • Point and the discussion leader, The World of Gunter Grass, PocketTheatre, New York City, 1966
  • Pompey, Measure for Measure, New York Shakespeare Festival, Delacorte Theatre, 1966
  • The Entertainer, Pittsburgh Playhouse, 1966
  • A Man's a Man, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Pittsburgh, PA, 1966
  • Dromio of Ephesus, The Comedy of Errors, New York Shakespeare Festival, Delacorte Theatre, 1967
  • The Three Sisters, Pittsburgh Playhouse, 1967
  • Louis Bonnard, The Happy Time, Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles, 1967then Broadway Theatre, New York City, 1968
  • Daddy, Huui, Huui, Public Theatre, New York City, 1968
  • Feste, Twelfth Night, New York Shakespeare Festival, Delacorte Theatre, 1969
  • Ned Buntline, Indians, Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City, 1969
  • Rodion, Invitation to a Beheading, Public Theatre, 1969
  • Cade, Chronicles of King Henry VI, Part II, New York Shakespeare Festival, Delacorte Theatre, 1970
  • Douglas, Lemon Sky, Studio Arena Theatre, Buffalo, NY, then Playhouse Theatre, New York City, 1970
  • Mayor of London, Chronicles of King Henry VI, Part I, New York Shakespeare Festival, Delacorte Theatre, 1970
  • Orderly, The Happiness Cage, Public/Newman Theatre, 1970
  • First gravedigger, Hamlet, New York Shakespeare Festival, Delacorte Theatre, 1972
  • George Sikowski, That Championship Season, Public Theatre, then Booth Theatre, New York City, 1972-1974
  • Eugene Hartigan, The Au Pair Man, Vivian Beaumont Theatre, 1973
  • Harold, In the Boom Boom Room, Vivian Beaumont Theatre, New York City, 1973
  • Knock, Knock, New York City, 1975
  • On Golden Pond, Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles, 1980
  • Charley, Death of a Salesman, Broadhurst Theatre, New York City, 1985
  • The Night of 100 Stars II (also known as Night of One Hundred Stars), Theatre at Radio City Music Hall, New York City, 1985
  • Sweet Bird of Youth, Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1988
  • Big Daddy, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Playhouse Theatre, Wilmington, VA, then Eugene O'Neill Theatre, New York City, 1990
  • Matthew Harrison Brady, Inherit the Wind, Royale Theatre, New YorkCity, 1996
  • Weller Martin, The Gin Game, Lyceum Theatre, New York City, 1997
  • President Hockstader, Gore Vidal's The Best Man, Virginia Theatre,New York City, 2000
  • Shelly Levine, Glengarry Glen Ross, McCarter Theatre, Princeton, NJ, 2000
  • Prelude to a Kiss, Theatre at Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, 2000
  • Appeared as Trinculo, The Tempest, and as Sir Toby, Twelfth Night; also appeared in King John, Poor Bitos, Two by Saroyan, and other productions.
  • Major Tours
  • The Andersonville Trial, U.S. cities, 1960
  • Also appeared as Weller Martin in a touring production of The Gin Game.
  • Film Appearances
  • Dooley, Harvey Middleman, Fireman, 1965
  • Stiletto, 1969
  • Deputy Wylie Hunnicutt, I Walk the Line, 1970
  • (As Charles Durnham) Superintendent, Hi Mom! (also known as Blue Manhattan, Confessions of a Peeping John, and Son of Greetings), Facets Multimedia, 1970
  • The Pursuit of Happiness, 1971
  • Murphy, Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues, Warner Bros., 1972
  • Red Ball rider, Deadhead Miles, 1972
  • Doomsday Voyage (also known as Questions), 1972
  • Joseph Larch, Sisters (also known as Blood Sisters), American International Pictures, 1973
  • Lieutenant William Snyder, The Sting, Universal, 1973
  • Murphy, The Front Page, Universal, 1974
  • Captain Pruss, The Hindenburg, Universal, 1975
  • Detective Moretti, Dog Day Afternoon, Warner Bros., 1975
  • Frank O'Brien, Breakheart Pass, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1975
  • President David T. Stevens, Twilight's Last Gleaming (also known as Nuclear Countdown and Das Ultimatum), Allied Artists, 1976
  • Rufus T. Crisp, Harry and Walter Go to New York, Columbia, 1976
  • Peter Stockmann, An Enemy of the People, 1977
  • "Spermwhale" Whalen, The Choirboys (also known as Aenglarna), Universal, 1977
  • Dr. Jim McKeever, The Fury, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1978
  • Michael Russell, The Greek Tycoon, Universal, 1978
  • Arnold, Die Laughing, Warner Bros., 1979
  • Coach Johnson, North Dallas Forty, Paramount, 1979
  • Doc Hopper and performer of song "Frogs' Legs So Fine," The Muppet Movie, Associated Film Distributors, 1979
  • Harold "The Whale" Remmens, Tilt, Warner Bros., 1979
  • John Clifford, When A Stranger Calls, Columbia, 1979
  • Michael "Mickey" Potter, Starting Over, Paramount, 1979
  • Senator Samuel Chapman, The Final Countdown, United Artists, 1980
  • Frisco, Sharky's Machine, Warner Bros., 1981
  • Jack Anderson (some sources cite Jack Amsterdam), True Confessions, United Artists, 1981
  • Governor, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (also known as The Best Little Cathouse in Texas), Universal, 1982
  • Les Nichols, Tootsie, Columbia, 1982
  • Charlie, Two of a Kind, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1983
  • Colonel Erhardt, To Be or Not to Be, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1983
  • Chucky Gorman, Stick, Universal, 1984
  • Monsignor Burke, Mass Appeal, Universal, 1984
  • Sam Crawford, Hadley's Rebellion, ADI Marketing, 1984
  • Louis Thibadeau, Stand Alone, New World Pictures, 1985
  • Ross, The Man with One Red Shoe, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1985
  • Deke Yablonski, Tough Guys, Universal, 1986
  • Father O'Reilly, Where the River Runs Black, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/United Artists, 1986
  • O'Mara, Big Trouble, Columbia, 1986
  • The warden, Solarbabies (also known as Solar Warriors), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1986
  • Charlie, Happy New Year, Columbia, 1987
  • Father Nabors, The Rosary Murders, New Line Cinema, 1987
  • Bertrum, Far North, Alive Films, 1988
  • Charlie Drumm, A Tiger's Tale, Atlantic, 1988
  • Dutch Peltz, Cop (also known as Blood on the Moon), Atlantic, 1988
  • Uncle Joshua, Etoile (also known as Ballet), 1989
  • Jiggs Scully, Cat Chaser, 1989 LIVE Home Video, 1991
  • Editor Francis I. Livright, Brenda Starr, 1989 Triumph Releasing,1992
  • Chief Brandon, Dick Tracy, Buena Vista, 1990
  • Colonel Clancy, Project: Alien (also known as Fatal Sky andNo Cause for Alarm), Vidmark Entertainment, 1991
  • Lieutenant Bobby Mallory, V. I. Warshawski, Buena Vista, 1991
  • Ozzie, Dreamers, 1991
  • Bill Flower, The Music of Chance, IRS Releasing, 1993
  • Louis Bamberger, I.Q., Paramount, 1994
  • Waring Hudsucker, The Hudsucker Proxy (also known as Hudsucker--Der Grosse Sprung), Warner Bros., 1994
  • Mr. Henry Larson, Home for the Holidays, Paramount, 1995
  • Reverend Gerald Hutchens, The Last Supper, Columbia, 1995
  • Reverend Buster and performer of song "Rock of Ages," The Grass Harp, 1995 Fine Line Features, 1996
  • The director, Spy Hard, Buena Vista, 1996
  • Lew, One Fine Day, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1996
  • Santa Claus, Elmo Saves Christmas, Children's Television Workshop,1996
  • Voice of Archy, The Land before Time IV: Journey through the Mists(animated), MCA Home Entertainment, 1996
  • Recon, 1996
  • Captain Landis, Shelter, Sterling Home Entertainment, 1997
  • Norbie Hess, The Secret Life of Algernon, Marano Productions/Phare-Est Productions, 1997
  • Fatty, Hi-Life, Sterling Home Entertainment, 1998
  • Vic, Jerry and Tom, Miramax, 1998
  • Hunt for the Devil, Fries Film Group, 1999
  • Mayor George Bailey, State and Main (also known as Sequences etconsequences), New Line Cinema/Fine Line Features, 2000
  • Paddy Mulroney, Very Mean Men, Miracle Entertainment, 2000
  • Pappy O'Daniel, O Brother, Where Art Thou? (also known as O' Brother), Buena Vista, 2000
  • Bombshell, 2000
  • Never Look Back, Giants Entertainment, 2000
  • Skippy, Lakeboat, Cowboy Booking International, 2001
  • Max, The Confidence Game, Condne Films, 2001
  • A Constant Forge: The Life and Art of John Cassavetes, 2001
  • LAPD: To Protect and to Serve, Rock Entertainment/To Protect and to Serve Productions/Maurice Smith Productions, 2001
  • Turn of Faith, CAOH Enterprises/Turn of Faith Productions, 2001
  • Television Appearances
  • Series
  • Lieutenant Gil McGowen, Another World (also known as Another World: Bay City), NBC, 1972
  • Officer Frank Murphy, The Cop and the Kid, NBC, 1975-1976
  • Oscar Poole, Eye to Eye, ABC, 1985
  • Dr. Harlan Elldridge, Evening Shade, CBS, 1990-1994
  • Miniseries
  • Ed Healey, Captains and the Kings, NBC, 1976
  • Paddy Lonigan, Studs Lonigan, NBC, 1979
  • Senator Henry Colton, Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues (also known as The Gambler III and Kenny Rogers as"The Gambler" III--The Legend Continues), CBS, 1987
  • John "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, The Kennedys of Massachusetts (alsoknown as The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys), ABC, 1990
  • Papa Alcott, A Woman of Independent Means, NBC, 1995
  • Voice characterizations, Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, PBS, 1999
  • Voice characterizations, Jazz, PBS, 2001
  • Movies
  • Frank Devlin, The Connection, 1973
  • Alvin "Al" Green, Queen of the Stardust Ballroom, CBS, 1975
  • Budd Rogers, The Trial of Chaplain Jensen, 1975
  • Carl Gallitzin, Special Olympics (also known as A Special Kindof Love), 1978
  • Bill Larson, A Perfect Match, 1980
  • Commissioner Russell Oswald, Attica, ABC, 1980
  • Title role, Casey Stengel, 1981
  • Frank Powell, The Best Little Girl in the World, ABC, 1981
  • Jess Matthews, Crisis at Central High, 1981
  • Otis P. Hazelrig, Dark Night of the Scarecrow, CBS, 1981
  • Charley, Death of a Salesman (also known as Der Tod eines Handlungsreisenden), CBS, 1985
  • Warden Hardy, The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains, HBO, 1987
  • Les Kabalski, Case Closed (also known as Death by Diamonds), CBS, 1988
  • Samuel Corey, Unholy Matrimony, CBS, 1988
  • Dan Packard, Dinner at Eight, TNT, 1989
  • Earl Mulcahaney, Prime Target, NBC, 1989
  • Santa Claus, It Nearly Wasn't Christmas (also known as The Nearly Wasn't Christmas), syndicated, 1989
  • Judge, The Story Lady, NBC, 1991
  • Roger Finn, The Return of Eliot Ness, NBC, 1991
  • Tour guide, The Water Engine, TNT, 1992
  • John Clifford, When a Stranger Calls Back, Showtime, 1993
  • Barney, Roommates, NBC, 1994
  • Detective Charlie Duffy, Hard Time, TNT, 1998
  • Detective Charlie Duffy, Hard Time: The Premonition, TNT, 1999
  • Moe Ryan, Justice (also known as Backlash), Cinemax, 1999
  • Syd Wolf, The Last Producer, USA Network, 2000
  • Harlan Radovich, The Judge (also known as Steve Martini's The Judge), NBC, 2001
  • Specials
  • Stephen Douglas, "The Rivalry," Hallmark Hall of Fame, NBC, 1975
  • McMahon, "The Monument," The Girls in Their Summer Dresses and Other Stories by Irwin Shaw, 1981
  • Retired man, Working, 1982
  • The Best Little Special in Texas, syndicated, 1982
  • The captain, Mr. Roberts, NBC, 1984
  • The Screen Actors Guild 50th Anniversary Celebration, 1984
  • Dom DeLuise and Friends, ABC, 1985
  • The Night of 100 Stars II (also known as Night of One Hundred Stars), ABC, 1985
  • The American Film Institute Salute to Billy Wilder, NBC, 1986
  • Angelo Roncalli/Pope John XXIII, I Would Be Called John: Pope John XXIII, PBS, 1987
  • Narrator and voice of Grandpa Yook, The Butter Battle Book, TNT, 1989
  • "Jessica Lange: It's Only Make-Believe," Crazy about the Movies, Cinemax, 1991
  • Dr. Futterman, "Leslie's Folly," Directed By, Showtime, 1994
  • Vaughn, "Texan," Directed By, Showtime, 1994
  • Voice of Benjamin Franklin, The American Revolution, Arts and Entertainment, 1994
  • National Memorial Day Concert 1994, PBS, 1994
  • Normandy: The Great Crusade, The Discovery Channel, 1994
  • Awards Presentations
  • The 40th Annual Tony Awards, CBS, 1986
  • The Stuntman Awards, syndicated, 1986
  • The 17th Annual People's Choice Awards, CBS, 1991
  • 49th Annual Golden Globe Awards, TBS, 1992
  • Episodic
  • "A Question of Murder," The Nurses, CBS, 1965
  • Hewitt, "The Reluctant Deputy," The High Chaparral, NBC, 1970
  • Sid Balinger, "The Midtown Beat," Madigan, NBC, 1972
  • Detective, "Gloria the Victim," All in the Family, CBS, 1973
  • Don Corcoran, "The Deadly Conspiracy," Cannon, CBS, 1975
  • Havens, "Retire in Sunny Hawaii--Forever," Hawaii Five-0, CBS, 1975
  • "Guilt Trip," Amazing Stories, NBC, 1985
  • Doffue, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," Shelley Duvall's Tall Tales andLegends (also known as Tall Tales and Legends), Showtime, 1986
  • Earl, "You Gotta Believe Me," Amazing Stories, NBC, 1986
  • A Conversation with Dinah, TNN, 1989
  • Charles F. Money, "Tales from Hollywood," American Playhouse, PBS,1992
  • Frank Vitelli, "Baby-Sitting," Orleans, CBS, 1997
  • Frank Vitelli, "Luther's Temptation," Orleans, CBS, 1997
  • Frank Vitelli, "When the Saints Go Marching In," Orleans, CBS, 1997
  • Psychiatrist, "A Regular Joe," Early Edition, CBS, 1997
  • A. J. Sheridan, "Daddy," Cybill, CBS, 1998
  • Father Hubley, "The Wedding: Parts 1 & 2," Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 1998
  • Stephen Donnell, "Passing Go," The Practice, ABC, 1998
  • Thomas Finnegan, "Finnegan's Wake," Homicide: Life on the Street (also known as Homicide and H: LOTS), NBC, 1998
  • Father Hubley, "Move Over," Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 1999
  • Father Hubley, "Prodigal Son," Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 2000
  • Father Hubley, "The Tenth Anniversary," Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 2000
  • Judge Romick, "Time," Early Edition, CBS, 2000
  • Stephen Donnell, "Death Penalties," The Practice, ABC, 2000
  • Wes Connelly, "The Second Chance," The Hoop Life, Showtime, 2000
  • Father Hubley, "The Angry Family," Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 2001
  • Also appeared in The Defenders, CBS.
  • Pilots
  • District Attorney Horn, Rx for the Defense, ABC, 1973
  • Phil Beckman, Switch, CBS, 1975
  • Harry Deegan, Side by Side, ABC, 1984
  • P. Oliver Pendergast, P.O.P., NBC, 1984
  • Dr. Harlan Elldridge, Harlan and Merleen (also known as It's Never Too Late), CBS, 1993
  • Other
  • Santa Claus, Mrs. Santa Claus, CBS, 1996
  • Earl Pulmer, A Chance of Snow, Lifetime, 1998
  • Detective Charlie Duffy, Hard Time: Hostage Hotel, 1999