Star of 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' passed away a day before Christmas at his NYC home at the age of 89.
- Dec 26, 2012
AceShowbiz - Character actor Charles Durning has died at the age of 89 at his Manhattan, New York City home. His longtime agent, Judith Moss, confirmed that the double Oscar nominee died on Monday, December 24 of "natural causes".
Durning is survived by his children Michele, Douglas and Jeannine from his first wife Carole. According to the Associated Press, the family planned to have a private family service and burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Durning was also married to his high school sweetheart Mary Ann Amelio.
Durning, best known for his role as the Governor in 1982's "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and Lt. Wm. Snyder in 1973's "The Sting", was still working as an actor in the last years of his life. He has "Amazing Racer" and "Rogue Assassin" coming out this year.
"I never turned down anything and never argued with any producer or director," he said back in 2008 when he received a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame. Durning also vowed to never stop working. "They're going to carry me out, if I go," he said.
However, despite his numerous achievements, Durning had a fear of being invisible. He once said he was "driven by fear - the fear of not being recognized by your peers".
