'Full Metal' Sarge Gets A Promotion
Actor Best Known For Roles As Tough Military Man
POSTED: 12:12 p.m. EDT May 17, 2002
UPDATED: 12:46 p.m. EDT May 17, 2002
SAN DIEGO -- The former Marine and actor best known for playing the tough-as-nails drill sergeant in "Full Metal Jacket" received an honorary promotion to the rank of gunnery sergeant Friday at a ceremony in San Diego.
R. Lee Ermey, 58, who played "Gunney" Hartman in the 1987 Stanley Kubrick film, was presented with the honorary rank at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego by Maj. Gen. Jan C. Huly, commanding general of the Western Recruiting Region, said Lt. Beatriz Yarrish, a USMC spokeswoman.
"The honorary promotion recognizes Ermey for his outstanding contributions to the Marine Corps, which have helped further the ... Corps' mission, both in the public and private sectors," Yarrish said.
Ermey spent 11 years in the Marines, including a tour in Vietnam. He rose to the rank of staff sergeant.
Following his retirement from the military in 1971, Ermey went to the University of Manila, where he studied drama on the G.I. Bill, Yarrish said.
While he was in the Philippines, he was tapped by director Francis Ford Coppola for the role of a helicopter pilot in "Apocalypse Now," Yarrish said. Ermey has since gone on to appear in more than 60 films.
Ermey was nominated for a Golden Globe for his work in "Full Metal Jacket" and received the best supporting actor award from The Boston Society of Film Critics for the role.
His other movie credits include "Saving Silverman," "Leaving Las Vegas" and "Dead Man Walking."
Ermey recently made toy history recently with the release of the first R rated talking doll from collectible company Sideshow Toy. Known as a motivational doll, Ermey is dressed up in his gunnery seargeant gear and barks out colorful orders.
R. Lee Ermey, 58, who played "Gunney" Hartman in the 1987 Stanley Kubrick film, was presented with the honorary rank at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego by Maj. Gen. Jan C. Huly, commanding general of the Western Recruiting Region, said Lt. Beatriz Yarrish, a USMC spokeswoman.
"The honorary promotion recognizes Ermey for his outstanding contributions to the Marine Corps, which have helped further the ... Corps' mission, both in the public and private sectors," Yarrish said.
Ermey spent 11 years in the Marines, including a tour in Vietnam. He rose to the rank of staff sergeant.
Following his retirement from the military in 1971, Ermey went to the University of Manila, where he studied drama on the G.I. Bill, Yarrish said.
While he was in the Philippines, he was tapped by director Francis Ford Coppola for the role of a helicopter pilot in "Apocalypse Now," Yarrish said. Ermey has since gone on to appear in more than 60 films.
Ermey was nominated for a Golden Globe for his work in "Full Metal Jacket" and received the best supporting actor award from The Boston Society of Film Critics for the role.
His other movie credits include "Saving Silverman," "Leaving Las Vegas" and "Dead Man Walking."
Ermey recently made toy history recently with the release of the first R rated talking doll from collectible company Sideshow Toy. Known as a motivational doll, Ermey is dressed up in his gunnery seargeant gear and barks out colorful orders.Copyright 2002 by Lifewhile.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
