Charles Durning (born February 28, 1923) is a Golden Globe Award-winning American actor of stage and screen.
Was trained in classical dance and was for a time in his early career, a dance instructor.
Has played Santa Claus five times to date, in It Nearly Wasn't Christmas (1989) (TV), Mrs. Santa Claus (1996) (TV), Elmo Saves Christmas (1996) (V), Mr. St. Nick (2002) (TV), and Boyfriend for Christmas, A (2004) (TV).
Was one of a few survivors to the infamous attack on American POWs at Malmedy, Belgium. The surrendering engineering battalion, caught behind enemy lines when the main American Forces retreated, were gathered together and brought to a large field when German machine guns which had been hidden in trucks, were brought to bear upon them. Only a few men survived this attack and were witnesses to the event. More than 100 US Servicemen died. The scene was re-created in the movie, Battle of the Bulge, starring Henry Fonda.
Fought on the same card as Jack Warden in Madison Square Garden.
Studied the Martial Arts earlier in his career
Won Broadway's 1990 Tony Award as Best Actor (Featured Role - Play) for portraying Big Daddy in a revival of Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."
His wife, Mary Ann, was his childhood sweetheart.
Served with the 1st Infantry Division in World War II. He landed at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 during the Normandy invasion. He was awarded several decorations, including the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and three Purple Hearts.
Former professional boxer.
Survived the bloody D-Day assault on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. Took him 50 years to talk about his experiences of that day.
