OT: Was "Gunny" Lee Ermey ever really a Marine?

I just happened to be watching "Mail Call." He says he was an E-6 in VN and E-7 is honorary. He's got a real sloppy salute for a Marine.

Shows ya what a good actor he is. BaBS

Huh?

From his web site:

Ermey spent eleven years in the Marine Corps, Two of which were spent as being a Drill Instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, India Company 3rd Recruit Training Battalion 1965-67, Arrived in Vietnam in 1968 spending 14 months attached to Marine Wing Support Group 17 and 2 tours in Okinawa. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was medically retired for injuries received. Using G.I. Bill benefits, Ermey enrolled at the University of Manila in the Philippines, where he studied drama. Francis Ford Coppola was filming "Apocalypse Now" in the area and cast Ermey in a featured role. He has since gone on to star or appear in approximately forty films.

Steve.

That was his first movie role? Not too shabby. Good DI's have a flair for drama and stage presence.

I had to do a quick search to see who in the hell is Lee Ermey. Guess what? I still don't and don't give a damn niether. Now, if ya wanna talk John Wayne, pilgrim......

michael

But his best role was in FMJ.

You don't watch Mail Call? Whatsa matter with you? ;o) True Grit - a movie I can watch over and over. Sue

emery ws the pilot in th oh2 in apocolpse now. he was in the brach scene at the village he was an actor back then jim

What is "Mail Call"? If it is something on the tv, I would only know of it from hearsay. Last year I saw a total of probably 4-5 hours of tv. That might be a bit of a high estimate.

michael

Well, I *did* see Apocolypse Now 3 or 4 times, but don't recall our good buddy Lee. Maybe if he had different body parts, or at least said something really famous like "smells like....victory".

mj

Quoted from the Internet Movie Database Bio:

Very talented character actor known for his military roles, R. Lee Ermey was in the Marine Corps for eleven years. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and his Marine service included one and a half tours in Vietnam. After injuries forced him to retire from military service, he moved to the Phillipines, enrolling in the University of Manila, where he studied Criminology and Drama. He appeared in several Phillipino films, before being cast as a Helicopter pilot in Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now. Due to his Vietnam experiences, Coppola also utilized him as a technical advisor. He got a featured role in Sidney Furie's The Boys in Company C, Playing A drill instructor. Ermey worked with Furie again in Purple Hearts. However, Ermey got his most famous, (or infamous) role as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket, for which Ermey was nominated for a Golden Globe. Ermey did win the best supporting actor award from The Boston Society of Film Critics. Since then, Ermey has appeared in numerous character roles in such films as Leaving Las Vegas, Se7en, and Dead Man Walking. Ermey, however, prefers comedy to drama, and and has a comedic role in Saving Silverman. Ronald Lee Ermey continues to be one of the best character actors to date, and you can bet that when his name appears in a movies credits, he is going to be top notch in his role.

Well, that would explain it. He has a show on the Discovery Channel where he answers questions from the viewers about all things military. He's really pretty funny to watch. Whatever could have prompted you to watch a whole 4-5 hours of TV?

Sue

History Channel, actually :)

Oops. I'm not in charge of the remote. :o( Sue

Very talented character actor known for his military roles, R. Lee Ermey was in the Marine Corps for eleven years. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and his Marine service included one and a half tours in Vietnam. After injuries forced him to retire from military service, he moved to the Phillipines, enrolling in the University of Manila, where he studied Criminology and Drama. He appeared in several Phillipino films, before being cast as a Helicopter pilot in Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now. Due to his Vietnam experiences, Coppola also utilized him as a technical advisor. He got a featured role in Sidney Furie's The Boys in Company C, Playing A drill instructor. Ermey worked with Furie again in Purple Hearts. However, Ermey got his most famous, (or infamous) role as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket, for which Ermey was nominated for a Golden Globe. Ermey did win the best supporting actor award from The Boston Society of Film Critics. Since then, Ermey has appeared in numerous character roles in such films as Leaving Las Vegas, Se7en, and Dead Man Walking. Ermey, however, prefers comedy to drama, and and has a comedic role in Saving Silverman. Ronald Lee Ermey continues to be one of the best character actors to date, and you can bet that when his name appears in a movies credits, he is going to be top notch in his role. .....courtesy of imdb

That means you have to have Cable or some equivelent?

Nope. Cant watch that stuff. Let alone on 5 hours a month that I watch it.

Gunner "Gun Control, the theory that a 110lb grandmother should fist fight a 250lb 19yr old criminal"

Gunner sez:

While hitching up his britches and thumbing his nose, "Barney Fife style", "Nope. Can't watch that stuff . . . ."

Gunner, the most beloved militaristic practicitioner on RCM doesn't watch "Mail Call"? What's a mother to do? Here it is guys. This may be the chink in Gunner's armor; the tiny flaw in his character.

Say it ain't so, Gunner. Cut the bravado; we'll love you no less. Tell us you really do watch "Mail Call", pleeze!

Now drop and give me fifty for lying!

Bob (most concerned) Swinney

I dont have cable. Broadcast TV or nothing. Shrug..its too damned expensive. The family would kiss my feet if I put in Direct TV or even cable (which would lead to a further call for cable modem $$$ etc etc. Its not in the cards for some time to come. It requires Disposable Income.

If I can find the time, I rather like the new incarntion of Dragnet.

Sargent Yes Sargent!

"Gun Control, the theory that a 110lb grandmother should fist fight a 250lb 19yr old criminal"

True Grit is probably my least favorite John Wayne flick. Now In Harm's Way on the other hand is terrific!

Errol Groff