R. Lee Ermey, who earned a Golden Globe nomination for his iconic portrayal of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket, has died aged 74.
Statement from R. Lee Ermey’s long time manager, Bill Rogin:
— R. Lee Ermey (@RLeeErmey) April 15, 2018
It is with deep sadness that I regret to inform you all that R. Lee Ermey (“The Gunny”) passed away this morning from complications of pneumonia. He will be greatly missed by all of us.
Semper Fi, Gunny. Godspeed. pic.twitter.com/vf4O78JKmb
His long-time manager Bill Rogin said on twitter: “It is with deep sadness that I regret to inform you all that R. Lee Ermey (“The Gunny”) passed away this morning from complications of pneumonia. He will be greatly missed by all of us. Semper Fi, Gunny. Godspeed.”
Ermey’s other roles included Toy Story, Se7en, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Mississippi Burning, as well as voice roles in The Simpsons, SpongeBob SquarePants and Family Guy.
Before Full Metal Jacket launched his acting career, Ermey served in the United States Marine Corps as a staff sergeant and drill instructor.
His first film appearance was as a helicopter pilot in Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, where he was also a technical advisor.
In 1987, he was hired by Kubrick to advise on Full Metal Jacket, but the director was so impressed by an instructional tape put together by Ermey that he cast him in the key role of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, even allowing him to improvise dialogue. He would earn a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
No comments yet