R. Lee Ermey
R. Lee Ermey | |
|---|---|
Ermey aboard USS Belleau Wood in 2005 | |
| Born | Ronald Lee Ermey March 24, 1944 Emporia, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | April 15, 2018 (aged 74) Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Burial place | Arlington National Cemetery[1] |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1978–2017 |
| Political party | Independent[2] |
| Spouses | Dolores Janshen
(m. 1962; div. 1969)Nila Ermey (m. 1975) |
| Children | 6 |
| Military career | |
| Nickname(s) | "Gunny" |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1961–1972 |
| Rank | Staff Sergeant Gunnery sergeant (honorary) |
| Unit |
|
| Battles / wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards |
|
Ronald Lee Ermey (March 24, 1944 – April 15, 2018) was an American actor and U.S. Marine drill instructor. He achieved fame for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in the 1987 film Full Metal Jacket, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.[3] Ermey was also a United States Marine Corps staff sergeant[3] and an honorary gunnery sergeant.[4]
Ermey was often typecast in authority figure roles,[5] such as Mayor Tilman in the film Mississippi Burning (1988), Bill Bowerman in Prefontaine (1997), Sheriff Hoyt in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) and its prequel The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006), Jimmy Lee Farnsworth in Fletch Lives (1989), a police captain in Seven (1995), plastic army men leader Sarge in the first three films of the Toy Story franchise (1995–2010), Major "Maddogg" Madison in Rocket Power, and John House in House.[5][3]
On television, Ermey hosted two programs on the History Channel: Mail Call, in which he answered viewers' questions about various military issues both modern and historic;[5] and Lock n' Load with R. Lee Ermey, which concerned the development of different types of weapons.[6] He also hosted GunnyTime on the Outdoor Channel.[7]
- ^ Hart, Julia (December 26, 2018). "'Gunny' to be laid to rest in Arlington". Sunnyside Sun.
- ^ Savitsky, Sasha (July 5, 2016). "'GunnyTime' host R. Lee Ermey 'blackballed' from Hollywood for conservative views". Fox News Channel. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- ^ a b c RNN Staff (April 15, 2018). "'Full Metal Jacket' actor R. Lee Ermey passes away at 74". WTXL Tallahassee. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
- ^ Osborn, Kris (April 18, 2018). "'Gunny' Remembered: The Life of R. Lee Ermey". Military Times. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
- ^ a b c Smith, Harrison (April 16, 2018). "R. Lee Ermey, ex-Marine who played 'Full Metal Jacket' drill instructor, dies at 74". Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
- ^ "Lock N' Load with R. Lee Ermey (2009)". MovieFone. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
- ^ "Gunny Time with R. Lee Ermey". Outdoor Sportsman Group. June 23, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2025.