Was trained in classical dance and was for a time in his early career, a dance instructor.
His wife, Mary Ann, was his childhood sweetheart. He won a Tony in 1990 for "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof."
Has played Santa Claus five times to date, in It Nearly Wasn't Christmas (1989) (TV), Mrs. Santa Claus (1996) (TV), Elmo Saves Christmas (1996) (V), Mr. St. Nick (2002) (TV) and A Boy For Christmas (2004) (TV). Ironically, none of these films was released in theatres and two of them begin with titles of a man or woman. His St. Nick is rarely the main character and is portrayed as somewhat grumpier than most depictions.
Was one of a few survivors to the infamous attack on American POWs at Malmedy, Belgium. The surrendering engineering battalion, caught behind enemy lines when the main American Forces retreated, were gathered together and brought to a large field when German machine guns which had been hidden in trucks, were brought to bear upon them. Only a few men survived this attack and were witnesses to the event. More than 100 US Servicemen died. The scene was re-created in the movie, Battle of the Bulge, starring Henry Fonda.
Fought on the same card as Jack Warden in Madison Square Garden.
Studied the Martial Arts earlier in his career
With "A Boyfriend for Christmas" (2004) (TV), he has now portrayed Santa Claus five times, all in TV movies.
Won Broadway's 1990 Tony Award as Best Actor (Featured Role - Play) for portraying Big Daddy in a revival of Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."
His wife, Mary Ann, was his childhood sweetheart.
Served with the 1st Infantry Division in World War II. He landed at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 during the Normandy invasion. He was awarded several decorations, including the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and three Purple Hearts.
Former professional boxer.
Survived the bloody D-Day assault on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. Took him 50 years to talk about his experiences of that day.
Charles Durning Detailed Biography
Charles Durning has been nominated twice for the Academy Award for his roles in To Be Or Not To Be and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. He also received a Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He is currently on Broadway in The Best Man. Previously on Broadway he starred in The Gin Game as well as the revival of the classic Lawrence & Lee drama Inherit the Wind, with George C. Scott.
Durning's extensive motion picture credits include One Fine Day, Spy Hard, The Hudsucker Proxy, Dick Tracy, True Confessions, The Greek Tycoon, Sharkey's Machine, Dog Day Afternoon, Home for the Holidays and The Grass Harp.
A series regular on television's Evening Shade with Burt Reynolds, Durning's other television work includes roles in The Kennedys of Massachusetts, Death of a Salesman, Dinner at Eight, Mrs. Santa Claus, as well as the narration for "Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony." He also starred with Sally Field in the NBC miniseries A Woman of Independent Means, as well as Queen of the Stardust Ballroom, a movie-of-the-week with Maureen Stapleton. Mr. Durning also starred in two one-man shows for PBS, Casey Stengel and Pope John XXIII.
In addition, he was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1998 for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for an episode of Homicide: Life on the Street. His other notable guest appearances on television include a recurring role on Everybody Loves Raymond, The Practice, Cybill and Early Edition.
