StatsBirth Name: Ronald Lee Ermey Age: 69, born 24 March 1944 Country of origin:  United States Height: 6' 0" Relationship Status: Married Partner: Nila Ermey
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About:
A talented character actor known for his military roles, R. Lee Ermey was in the US Marine Corps for 11 years. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and later was bestowed the honorary rank of Gunnery Sergeant by the Marine Corps, after he served 14 months in Vietnam and later did 2 tours in Okinawa, Japan. After injuries forced him to retire from the Corps, he moved to the Phillipines, enrolling in the University of Manila, where he studied Criminology and Drama. He appeared in several Filipin
A talented character actor known for his military roles, R. Lee Ermey was in the US Marine Corps for 11 years. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and later was bestowed the honorary rank of Gunnery Sergeant by the Marine Corps, after he served 14 months in Vietnam and later did 2 tours in Okinawa, Japan. After injuries forced him to retire from the Corps, he moved to the Phillipines, enrolling in the University of Manila, where he studied Criminology and Drama. He appeared in several Filipino films before being cast as a helicopter pilot in Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now (1979). Due to his Vietnam experiences, Coppola also utilized him as a technical adviser. He got a featured role in Sidney J. Furie's The Boys in Company C (1978), playing a drill instructor. Ermey worked with Furie again in Purple Hearts (1984). However, his most famous (or infamous) role came as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket (1987), for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe. He did win the best supporting actor award from The Boston Society of Film Critics. Since then he has appeared in numerous character roles in such films as Leaving Las Vegas (1995), Se7en (1995) and Dead Man Walking (1995). Ermey, however, prefers comedy to drama, and has a comedic role in Saving Silverman (2001). Ronald Lee Ermey continues to be one of the best character actors in the business, and you can bet that when his name appears in a movie's credits, he is going to be top notch in his role.
Trade Mark:
Best known for playing military drill instructors.
Trivia:
Was not intended to be in Full Metal Jacket (1987). He was hired as a technical advisor for the actor who was to play the drill instructor, but he did such a good job at it that Ermey himself was hired for the part.
Served in the U.S. Marine Corps from April 1961 to October 1971 under the service number 195 60 39. Was retired as a Staff Sergeant on a medical disability.
Although he retired from the United States Marine Corps in 1971, Ermey was later awarded the Honorary rank of Gunnery Sergeant.
U.S. Marine Corps awards and decorations include: Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (w/bronze service star), Vietnam Campaign Medal (w/60 Device), Vietnam Gallantry Cross (w/Palm), Good Conduct Medal (w/2 bronze service stars), Marksman Badge (w/Rifle Bar) and Sharpshooter Badge (w/Pistol Bar).
After injuries forced him to retire from military service, he moved to the Phillipines and enrolled in the University of Manila, where he studied Criminology and Drama.
Used the same line ("You're not afraid of a little blood, are you?") in two consecutive movies -- Willard (2003) and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003). Both films were released in 2003 and both films just happened to be remakes as well.
Chosen as first celebrity spokesperson for Glock firearms and products in 2004.
Parodied his famous role from Full Metal Jacket (1987) (Sgt Hartman) as a Ghost in the film The Frighteners (1996).
Aside from his early military roles, he often plays authority figures, such as sheriffs, police chiefs and other types of law-enforcement officers.
Has four children with wife Nila and two daughters from a previous marriage. Has nine grandchildren.
In 1987, he was involved in a jeep accident during the making of Full Metal Jacket (1987). At 1:00 a.m. one morning, he skidded off the road, breaking all the ribs on his left side. He refused to pass out and kept flashing his car lights until a motorist stopped. In some scenes in the movie, he does not move his left arm at all.
In 2010, was chosen as new spokesman for SOG Specialty Knives & Tool. SOG's new "Gunny Approved" advertising campaign includes a special edition line of knives and tools developed in conjunction with Ermey.
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Fortunato added this to a list 1 week, 1 day ago
brawljeff added this to a list 3 weeks, 4 days ago
 The Trivia of: Toy Story (12 person items)"
Hasbro denied Pixar the use of the name GI Joe when it was informed that a GI Joe doll was going to be blown up by Sid. Pixar used army men instead."
milica added this to a list 3 months, 3 weeks ago
 When The Villain Steals The Show (30 person items)"
as Sgt Hartman in Full Metal Jacket
Anyone who's seen this film will always remember R Lee Ermey's hilarious rants and taunts that ultimately caused Pvt Gomer Pyle to completely lose his shit. Gut bustingly funny, yet fucked up at the same time!
"Private Pyle I'm gonna give you three seconds; exactly three-fucking-seconds to wipe that stupid looking grin off your face or I will gouge out your eyeballs and skull-fuck you! ONE! TWO! THREE! "
Nattkrypet added this to a list 11 months, 2 weeks ago
 My Favorite Actors (Who even can save Shit!) (191 person items)"
Technically a crazy military officer gone insane and it shows on film. That's why it's fun to see him even if the movie is shit like in those lousy "Chainsaw" reimagination films."
Bubs added this to a list 1 year, 3 months ago
 Favorite Character Actors (67 person items)"Full Metal Jacket
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
Always the same character, but still very interesting and intimidating, even when he's playing a good guy."
Lex added this to a list 1 year, 8 months ago
 Type-cast actors. (13 person items)"Known for playing:
(Almost universally), military leaders (usually sergeants), extremely gruff and tough, take no nonsense a-holes.
Examples: "Full Metal Jacket, "Dead Man Walking", "The Frighteners", "Willard", etc...
"
 500 Actors / Actresses - (Defunct) (439 person items)"Movies seen:
Full Metal Jacket
Se7en
Toy Story
Toy Story 2
Dead Man Walking
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
"
RJ4 added this to a list 2 years, 5 months ago
 Start Me Up (27 person items)"The pyshical ed teacher, who the band mates really hate. He likes to push them around with Mike the douche "
Salò added this to a list 2 years, 5 months ago
Ville added this to a list 2 years, 8 months ago
KCenturion added this to a list 2 years, 9 months ago
jay-jay added this to a list 2 years, 11 months ago
Stehako added this to a list 3 years, 1 month ago
Tumppi added this to a list 3 years, 2 months ago
 Maniacs (21 person items)"Movies:
- Full Metal Jacket (1987)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2203) & The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)
"
BadSmile added this to a list 3 years, 10 months ago
 X-Files guest stars (47 person items)"Episode Name: Revelations
Original Air Date: 15 December 1995 (Season 3, Episode 11)
As: Reverend Patrick Findley
Well Known In: Full Metal Jacket (1987)
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