More sad news! We heard Jack Klugman passed away on Christmas Eve and now new actor Charles Durning also passed away on Christmas Eve, at his home in New York City, at 89 years old. Charles’ agent and friend Judith Moss told The Associated Press that he died Monday of natural causes in his home in Manhattan.
Charles was well known as a character actor and some of Charles most memorable roles were police officers in the Oscar-winning The Sting (1973) and crime drama Dog Day Afternoon (1975), along with the comedies Tootsie, To Be Or Not To Be and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. He earned Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and To be Or Not To Be. He won a Tony award for his portrayal of Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1990.
Charles was once asked about acting and he said, “what is acting?” “acting is listening. And if you ain’t listening, nobody’s listening.”
Charles was married twice and is survived by his children, Michele, Douglas and Jeannine. The family planned to have a private family service and burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
RIP Charles 1923-2012!
