Charles Durning Quotes

Powerful Charles Durning for Daily Growth

About Charles Durning

Charles Durning (December 28, 1923 – November 29, 2012) was an American character actor whose prolific career spanned over six decades in theater, film, and television. Born in Highland Falls, New York, Durning grew up with a love for performing, influenced by his mother's talent as a singer and his father's work as a bandleader. Durning served in the United States Army during World War II, an experience that significantly impacted his life. He saw combat in the Battle of the Bulge and was wounded twice. After the war, he attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts on the GI Bill. In 1950, Durning made his Broadway debut with a small role in "The Rose Tattoo." However, it wasn't until the mid-1960s that he found significant success on stage, winning a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play in 1967 for his role as Big Jule in "Guys and Dolls." Durning transitioned to film in the late 1960s, with notable roles in films such as "M*A*S*H" (1970), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, "The Sting" (1973), and "Tootsie" (1982). He also appeared in many popular films throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "Oh, God! Book II," and "Christmas Vacation." In television, Durning was known for his roles in "All in the Family" (as Archie Bunker's rival, Glenn) and "Evening Shade" (winning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series). Charles Durning passed away in 2012 at the age of 88. His versatility as an actor, coupled with his unique ability to embody both comedic and dramatic roles, cemented his place as a beloved figure in American entertainment.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"You've got to have a dream if you want to make a dream come true."

This quote by Charles Durning emphasizes that having a goal or ambition (a "dream") is essential for achieving success ("making a dream come true"). In other words, one needs a clear vision of what they aspire to accomplish in order to work towards realizing it. The quote serves as a reminder that our dreams fuel our motivation and direction in life.

"Acting is not about being someone different. It's finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there."

This quote by Charles Durning highlights the importance of empathy and self-discovery in the art of acting. By exploring and understanding the shared humanity within diverse characters, an actor can find their own essence reflected in those roles. Essentially, he suggests that the key to effective acting lies not in becoming someone else entirely, but in recognizing and expressing the universal aspects that connect us all.

"I believe that life is a series of hellos and goodbyes. The first kiss, the first love, the first heartbreak, the first friend, the last view before we die."

This quote by Charles Durning encapsulates the significant moments in our lives, both joyous and painful, as a collection of "hellos" and "goodbyes." The first kiss, first love, or first friend represent the beginnings, the fresh starts, the new connections we make. On the other hand, the first heartbreak, last view before death symbolize endings, goodbyes, the moments when we must let go or say farewell to something or someone dear to us. Essentially, Durning suggests that life is a journey filled with such experiences that leave lasting impressions and shape who we are.

"In life you don't really fail until you stop trying."

This quote emphasizes that true failure occurs only when one ceases to try, not when one encounters setbacks or challenges in their pursuit of goals. It encourages resilience, determination, and persistence; suggesting that one should never give up, as long as they are willing to keep striving towards their objectives.

"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."

Charles Durning's quote emphasizes the paradoxical nature of keeping an open mind. While being receptive to new ideas and perspectives is essential for personal growth and understanding, it can also expose one to various opinions and information that might challenge their beliefs or worldview. This quote suggests that by maintaining an open mind, one invites others to share their thoughts, potentially leading to conflict, confusion, or discomfort, as these differing viewpoints may clash with one's existing understanding. In essence, Durning is cautioning us about the potential downsides of being too receptive while encouraging curiosity and openness in a world full of diverse opinions and ideas.

Of course, I'm not often the top dog, but sometimes it's better not to be top dog, because you last longer. If a movie or play flops, you always blame the lead. They say, 'He couldn't carry it.' They always blame him. But they rarely blame the second or third banana.

- Charles Durning

Play, Sometimes, Movie, Flops

I would rather do a play because it's instantaneous. You go on the stage, and you know whether it's happening or not. Somebody asked me 'What is acting?' And I said, 'Acting is listening.' And if you ain't listening, nobody's listening.

- Charles Durning

Listening, Play, Rather, Instantaneous

There are many secrets in us, in the depths of our souls, that we don't want anyone to know about.

- Charles Durning

Want, Souls, Anyone, Depths

I was born looking older - and I've been aging since I was a teenager.

- Charles Durning

Born, I Was Born, Been, Teenager

I can't count how many of my friends are in the cemetery at Normandy, the heroes are still there, the real heroes.

- Charles Durning

Real, Count, Still, Cemetery

Acting is ephemeral. You can't hang it on a wall. You can't throw it off. And you can't bring it out of a closet. It's there one night and it's gone the next, at least with stage acting anyhow.

- Charles Durning

Next, Hang, One Night, Stage Acting

You're out there on a high wire without a net, and that's the way actors operate. They have to be fearless about how they work and they have to create a life for the audience in 90 minutes and make them believe.

- Charles Durning

Work, Audience, 90 Minutes, High Wire

I never turned down anything and never argued with any producer or director.

- Charles Durning

Never, Argued, Turned, Producer

That place that no one knows about - horrifying things we keep secret. A lot of that is released through acting.

- Charles Durning

Through, Keep, Lot, Released

I'd like to have a decade of my life back. I dropped into a void for almost a decade.

- Charles Durning

My Life, Decade, Like, Void

There's no nobility with war. It's tear-'em-up destruction that leaves you frustrated, bitter and angry... If you really knew what it was like for an hour, you wouldn't want anyone to go through it.

- Charles Durning

Through, Like, Nobility, Destruction

I was doing judo before anybody knew it existed in this country.

- Charles Durning

Doing, Country, Before, Existed

Dancing came easy for me. Acting came hard.

- Charles Durning

Me, Hard, Came, Dancing

Sometimes you succeed and sometimes you don't.

- Charles Durning

Sometimes, You, Succeed

I was born a character actor.

- Charles Durning

Character, Actor, I Was Born, Character Actor

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