WWII veteran, dance instructor and diversely talented stage & screen actor are all inclusions on the resume of this perpetually busy US actor who didn't get in front of the cameras until around the time of his fortieth birthday. The stockily built Charles Durning is one of Hollywood's most dependable and sought after supporting actors who first got his start in guest appearances in early 1960's TV shows. He scored minor roles over the next decade until he really got noticed by film fans as the sneering, corrupt cop "Lt. Snyder" hassling street grifter 'Robert Redford' in the multi award winning mega-hit The Sting (1973). Durning was equally entertaining in the Billy Wilder production of The Front Page (1974), he supported screen tough guy Charles Bronson in the suspenseful western Breakheart Pass (1975) and featured as "Spermwhale Whalen" in the story of unorthodox police behavior in The Choirboys (1977). The versatile Durning is equally adept at comedic roles and demonstrated his skills as "Doc Hopper" in The Muppet Movie (1979), a feisty football coach in North Dallas Forty (1979), a highly strung police officer berating maverick cop Burt Reynolds in Sharky's Machine (1981), and a light footed, dancing Governor (alongside Burt Reynolds once more) in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982). Durning continued a regular on screen association with Burt Reynolds appearing in several more feature films together and as "Dr. Harlan Elldridge" in the highly popular TV series Evening Shade (1990). On par with his multitude of feature film roles, Durning has always been in high demand on television and has guest starred in Everybody Loves Raymond (1996), Monk (2002) and Rescue Me (2004). Plus, he has appeared in the role of "Santa Claus" in five different television movies.
Movie | Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age | Self | 2021-08-14 |
Movie | LA DA Story | Self (archive footage) | 2018-01-01 |
Movie | Bleeding Hearts | Santa Claus | 2015-02-03 |
Movie | Scavenger Killers | Dylan Frier | 2013-06-01 |
Movie | Top Priority: The Terror Within | Himself - Academy Award Nominated Actor (archive footage) | 2012-06-15 |
Movie | Rogue Assassin | 2012-01-01 | |
Movie | The Life Zone | James Wise | 2011-06-10 |
Movie | The Great Fight | Judge Frier | 2011-06-05 |
Movie | Naked Run | Congressman Davenport | 2011-05-05 |
Movie | An Affirmative Act | Man in the White Suit | 2010-06-04 |
Movie | The Waiter | Frank 'The Handler' Maro | 2010-03-14 |
Movie | Break | The Wise Man | 2009-05-01 |
Movie | The Golden Boys | John Bartlett | 2008-12-11 |
Movie | A Bunch of Amateurs | Charlie Rosenberg | 2008-11-17 |
Movie | Good Dick | Charlie | 2008-10-03 |
Movie | iMurders | Dr. Seamus St. Martin | 2008-08-09 |
Movie | Deal | Charlie Adler | 2008-01-29 |
Movie | Kinky Killers | Alexander Hathaway | 2007-06-01 |
Movie | The Making of 'Dog Day Afternoon' | Self | 2006-02-28 |
Movie | Jesus, Mary and Joey | Teddy | 2006-01-01 |
Movie | Unbeatable Harold | Harold's Father | 2006-01-01 |
Movie | Miracle Dogs Too | Captain Pete Weaver | 2006-04-01 |
Movie | Forget About It | Eddie O'Brien | 2006-10-14 |
Movie | Desperation | Tom Billingsley | 2006-05-23 |
Movie | Descansos | Inkeeper #2 | 2006-01-05 |
Movie | Local Color | Yammi | 2006-09-19 |
Movie | Dirty Deeds | Victor Rasdale | 2005-08-26 |
Movie | The L.A. Riot Spectacular | The Lawyer | 2005-04-25 |
Movie | River's End | Murray Blythe | 2005-01-01 |
Movie | The Art of 'The Sting' | Self | 2005-09-06 |
Movie | Death and Texas | Marshall Ledger | 2004-03-12 |
Movie | The Drum Beats Twice | Satan | 2004-01-01 |
Movie | A Boyfriend for Christmas | Santa Claus | 2004-11-27 |
Movie | A Very Married Christmas | Ozzy Larson | 2004-12-05 |
Movie | The Autopsy | Self | 2004-12-31 |
Series | Rescue Me | Unknown | 2004-07-21 |
Series | NCIS | Corporal Ernie Yost | 2003-09-23 |
Movie | Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There | Self | 2003-01-01 |
Movie | Mr. St. Nick | Nicholas XX | 2002-11-16 |
Series | Everwood | Unknown | 2002-09-16 |
Movie | Mother Ghost | George | 2002-08-08 |
Series | Monk | Unknown | 2002-07-12 |
Movie | Turn of Faith | Philly Russo | 2002-06-05 |
Series | First Monday | Justice Henry Hoskins | 2002-01-15 |
Series | Dinner for Five | Unknown | 2001-07-06 |
Movie | The Judge | Judge Harlan Radovich | 2001-05-06 |
Movie | L.A.P.D.: To Protect And To Serve | Stuart Steele | 2001-10-09 |
Series | Citizen Baines | Unknown | 2001-09-29 |
Movie | Bleacher Bums | Scorekeeper | 2001-10-18 |
Movie | O Brother, Where Art Thou? | Pappy O'Daniel | 2000-08-30 |
Movie | State and Main | Mayor George Bailey | 2000-08-26 |
Movie | The Last Producer | Syd Wolf | 2000-08-22 |
Movie | Very Mean Men | Paddy Mulroney | 2000-06-10 |
Movie | Lakeboat | Skippy | 2000-04-13 |
Movie | Never Look Back | Reverend Hale | 2000-03-31 |
Movie | A Constant Forge | Self | 2000-01-01 |
Movie | Justice | Moe Ryan | 1999-01-14 |
Movie | Hard Time: The Premonition | Det. Charlie Duffy | 1999-02-27 |
Movie | Hard Time: Hostage Hotel | Det. Charlie Duffy | 1999-11-14 |
Series | Family Guy | Unknown | 1999-01-31 |
Movie | Hard Time | Det. Charlie Duffy | 1998-12-12 |
Movie | A Chance of Snow | Earl Pulmer | 1998-12-07 |
Movie | Jerry and Tom | Vic | 1998-12-04 |
Movie | Hi-Life | Fatty | 1998-11-27 |
Movie | Shelter | Capt. Robert Landis | 1998-01-16 |
Movie | The Secret Life of Algernon | Norbie Hess | 1997-11-15 |
Series | Orleans | Frank Vitelli | 1997-01-08 |
Movie | The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists | Archie (voice) | 1996-11-01 |
Movie | Spy Hard | The Director | 1996-05-24 |
Movie | One Fine Day | Lew, Jack's boss | 1996-12-20 |
Movie | Jack Lemmon: America's Everyman | Self | 1996-11-25 |
Movie | Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas | Santa Claus | 1996-12-24 |
Movie | Mrs. Santa Claus | Santa Claus | 1996-12-08 |
Movie | Home for the Holidays | Henry Larson | 1995-11-02 |
Movie | The Grass Harp | Reverend Buster | 1995-09-10 |
Movie | The Last Supper | Reverend Gerald Hutchens | 1995-09-08 |
Movie | Charlie Sheen's Stunts Spectacular | Self (archive footage) | 1994-06-30 |
Movie | The Hudsucker Proxy | Waring Hudsucker | 1994-03-11 |
Movie | Roommates | Barney | 1994-05-30 |
Movie | In Search of Dr. Seuss | (voice) (uncredited) | 1994-11-06 |
Movie | The World of Jim Henson | Doc Hopper (archive footage) | 1994-11-23 |
Movie | I.Q. | Louis Bamberger | 1994-12-24 |
Movie | The Music of Chance | Bill Flower | 1993-06-23 |
Movie | When a Stranger Calls Back | John Clifford | 1993-04-04 |
Movie | Tales from Hollywood | Charles F. Money | 1992-10-18 |
Movie | The Water Engine | Tour Guide | 1992-08-24 |
Movie | The Story Lady | Judge (uncredited) | 1991-12-09 |
Movie | The Return of Eliot Ness | Roger Finn | 1991-11-10 |
Movie | V.I. Warshawski | Det. Lt. Bobby Mallory | 1991-07-26 |
Series | The Kennedys of Massachusetts | John F. Fitzgerald | 1990-02-18 |
Series | Evening Shade | Harlan Elldridge | 1990-09-21 |
Movie | Dick Tracy | Chief Brandon | 1990-04-05 |
Movie | Project Alien | 1990-12-21 | |
Movie | Dinner at Eight | Dan Packard | 1989-12-11 |
Movie | It Nearly Wasn't Christmas | Santa | 1989-12-01 |
Movie | The Butter Battle Book | Grandfather (voice) | 1989-11-13 |
Movie | Prime Target | Earl Mulcahaney | 1989-09-29 |
Movie | Cat Chaser | Jiggs Scully | 1989-09-13 |
Movie | Brenda Starr | Editor Francis I. Livright | 1989-05-15 |
Movie | Etoile | Uncle Joshua | 1989-03-17 |
Movie | Cop | Dutch Peltz | 1988-02-05 |
Movie | A Tiger's Tale | Charlie Drumm | 1988-02-12 |
Movie | Case Closed | Les Kabowski | 1988-04-19 |
Movie | Unholy Matrimony | Reverend Samuel Corey | 1988-10-03 |
Movie | Far North | Bertrum | 1988-11-09 |
Movie | The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues | Senator Henry Colton | 1987-11-22 |
Movie | The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains | Warden Hardy | 1987-10-31 |
Movie | The Rosary Murders | Father Ted Nabors | 1987-08-28 |
Movie | Happy New Year | Charlie | 1987-08-07 |
Movie | Solarbabies | The Warden | 1986-11-26 |
Movie | Tough Guys | Deke Yablonski | 1986-10-03 |
Movie | Where the River Runs Black | Father O'Reilly | 1986-09-19 |
Movie | Big Trouble | O'Mara | 1986-05-30 |
Movie | The Man with One Red Shoe | Ross | 1985-07-18 |
Movie | Night of 100 Stars II | Self | 1985-03-10 |
Movie | Stick | Chucky | 1985-04-26 |
Series | Amazing Stories | Unknown | 1985-09-29 |
Movie | Death of a Salesman | Charley | 1985-08-16 |
Series | Tall Tales & Legends | Uncle Doffue | 1985-09-25 |
Movie | Stand Alone | Louis Thibadeau | 1985-09-01 |
Movie | Mass Appeal | Monsignor Thomas Burke | 1984-12-14 |
Movie | Mister Roberts | The Captain | 1984-03-18 |
Movie | To Be or Not to Be | Col. Erhardt | 1983-12-16 |
Movie | Two of a Kind | Charlie | 1983-12-13 |
Movie | Scarface | Immigration Officer (voice) (uncredited) | 1983-12-09 |
Movie | Hadley's Rebellion | Sam Crawford | 1983-09-30 |
Movie | Working | Retired Man | 1982-04-13 |
Movie | Tootsie | Les Nichols | 1982-12-17 |
Movie | The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas | Governor of Texas | 1982-07-23 |
Movie | Sharky's Machine | Lt. Friscoe | 1981-12-18 |
Movie | Dark Night of the Scarecrow | Otis P. Hazelrigg | 1981-10-24 |
Movie | True Confessions | Jack Amsterdam | 1981-09-25 |
Movie | The Best Little Girl in the World | Frank Powell | 1981-05-11 |
Movie | Crisis at Central High | Jess Matthews | 1981-02-04 |
Movie | The Final Countdown | Senator Samuel Chapman | 1980-01-31 |
Movie | Die Laughing | Arnold | 1980-04-01 |
Movie | Attica | Commissioner Russell Oswald | 1980-03-02 |
Movie | A Perfect Match | Bill Larson | 1980-10-05 |
Movie | Starting Over | Michael "Mickey" Potter | 1979-10-05 |
Movie | When a Stranger Calls | John Clifford | 1979-09-28 |
Movie | North Dallas Forty | Coach Johnson | 1979-08-03 |
Movie | The Muppet Movie | Doc Hopper | 1979-06-22 |
Movie | The Muppets Go Hollywood | Self | 1979-05-16 |
Movie | Tilt | Harold 'The Whale' Remmens | 1979-04-01 |
Series | Studs Lonigan | Paddy Lonigan | 1979-03-07 |
Movie | Special Olympics | Carl Gallitzin | 1978-02-22 |
Movie | An Enemy of the People | Peter Stockmann | 1978-03-17 |
Movie | The Fury | Dr. Jim McKeever | 1978-03-10 |
Movie | The Greek Tycoon | Michael Russell | 1978-05-12 |
Movie | The Choirboys | Spermwhale Whalen | 1977-12-23 |
Movie | Twilight's Last Gleaming | President David T. Stevens | 1977-02-09 |
Series | Captains and the Kings | Ed Healey | 1976-09-30 |
Movie | Harry and Walter Go to New York | Rufus T. Crisp | 1976-06-17 |
Movie | Queen of the Stardust Ballroom | Al Green | 1975-02-13 |
Series | Baretta | Unknown | 1975-01-17 |
Movie | The Trial of Chaplain Jensen | Budd Rogers | 1975-02-11 |
Movie | Dog Day Afternoon | Det. Sgt. Eugene Moretti | 1975-09-21 |
Movie | Breakheart Pass | Frank O'Brien | 1975-12-09 |
Movie | The Hindenburg | Captain Pruss | 1975-12-25 |
Series | The Cop and the Kid | 1975-12-04 | |
Movie | The Front Page | Murphy | 1974-11-01 |
Movie | The Sting | Lt. Wm. Snyder | 1973-12-25 |
Movie | The Connection | Frank Devlin | 1973-02-27 |
Movie | Sisters | Joseph Larch | 1972-11-18 |
Movie | Deadhead Miles | Truck Driver in Cafe | 1972-08-08 |
Movie | Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues | Murphy | 1972-02-25 |
Movie | Doomsday Voyage | Jason's First Mate | 1972-02-01 |
Movie | Look Homeward, Angel | Will Pentland | 1972-01-01 |
Series | All in the Family | Unknown | 1971-01-12 |
Series | Cannon | Unknown | 1971-09-14 |
Movie | The Pursuit of Happiness | 2nd Guard | 1971-02-23 |
Movie | I Walk the Line | Wylie Hunnicutt | 1970-11-18 |
Movie | Hi, Mom! | Superintendent | 1970-04-27 |
Movie | Stiletto | Cop (uncredited) | 1969-07-30 |
Series | Hawaii Five-O | Unknown | 1968-09-20 |
Series | The High Chaparral | Unknown | 1967-09-10 |
Movie | Harvey Middleman, Fireman | Dooley | 1965-07-12 |
Series | Another World | 1964-05-04 | |
Movie | The Password Is Courage | American Solider (uncredited) | 1962-06-01 |
Series | Hallmark Hall of Fame | Unknown | 1951-12-24 |