Charles Durning: Tony-Award winning actor dies aged 89

Stage and Screen Actor Charles Durning died in his home in New York City on 24 Dec 2012, age 89.

Durning's Broadway credits include his Tony-Award winning performance as 'Big Daddy' in the 1990 Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams's 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' (1990). His break-through role on Broadway was has 'George Sikowski' in Jason Miller's 'That Championship Season' (1972) for which he won a Drama Desk Award.

His other Broadway credits include: 'Gore Vidal's The Best Man' (2000), 'The Gin Game' (1997), 'Inherit the Wind' (1996), 'Knock Knock' (1976), 'The au Pair Man' (1973), 'Boom Boom Room' (1973), 'Indians' (1969), 'The Happy Time' (1968), 'Pousse-Café' (1966) and 'Drat! The Cat!' (1965).

He starred in 21 Off-Broadway productions. His last Off-Broadway appearance was has 'Jack Jameson' in the Lincoln Center's production of Wendy Wasserstein's 'Third' (2005) for which he won a Lucille Lortel Award, Outstanding Featured Actor.

As an actor he starred in over 100 movies. His most notable film work includes "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" (1982) and "To Be or Not to Be" (1983), for which he received Oscar nominations. Other films include "The Sting" (1973), "Dog Day Afternoon" (1975) and "Tootsie" (1982), "Dick Tracy" (1990).

He was nominated for Emmy Awards for his roles in the TV series "Captains and the Kings" in which he played "Ed Healey" and "Evening Shade," in which he played "Dr. Harlan Elldridge." He also received Emmy nominations for his guest appearances in the TV programs "Rescue Me," "NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service," "Homicide: Life on the Street" and for the TV movies "Death of a Salesman" "Attica," "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom." Other TV work includes starring as "Michael Gavin" in "Rescue Me," "Father Hubley " in "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Justice Henry Hoskins" in "First Monday," and "Narrator" in "Now and Again."

Durning was born in Highland Falls, New York on 28 Feb 1923. Durning, who saw action in the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge, received a Silver Star and three Purple Hearts for his World War II service.

Durning had three children, Michele, Douglas and Jeanine, with his first wife, Carole Doughty. After their divorce, he married Mary Ann Amelio. She survives him, along with his children.