R. Lee Ermey has passed away

R Lee Ermey, a former marine who made a career in acting often playing military men such as Gunnery Sgt Hartman in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, has died.

Ermey’s manager, Bill Rogin, said he died on Sunday morning from pneumonia-related complications. He was 74.

Statement from R. Lee Ermey's long time manager, Bill Rogin:

It is with deep sadness that I regret to inform you all that R. Lee Ermey ("The Gunny") passed away this morning from complications of pneumonia. He will be greatly missed by all of us.

Semper Fi, Gunny. Godspeed. pic.twitter.com/vf4O78JKmb

— R. Lee Ermey (@RLeeErmey) April 15, 2018

In 1961, at age 17, Ermey enlisted in the United States Marine Corps For his first few years, he served in the aviation support field before becoming a drill instructor in India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. In 1968, he was ordered to Vietnam with MWSG-17, and spent 14 months in country. The remainder of his service was on Okinawa where he was advanced to staff sergeant (E-6). He was medically discharged in 1972 because of several injuries incurred during his service.

Ermey was cast in his first film while attending the University of Manila in the Philippines. He played a First Air Cavalry chopper pilot in Apocalypse Now, doubling as a technical advisor to Francis Ford Coppola. Ermey then was cast as a Marine drill instructor in Sidney Furie’s The Boys In Company C. For the next few years, Ermey played a series of minor film roles until 1987, when he was cast in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket. Seeking authenticity for the film, Kubrick allowed Ermey to write or edit his own dialogue and improvise on the set. Kubrick later indicated that Ermey was an excellent performer, often needing just two or three takes per scene.

He also starred in many other films such as Purple Hearts, Mississippi Burning, The Siege of Firebase Gloria, Dead Man Walking, Se7en, Fletch Lives, Leaving Las Vegas, Prefontaine, Saving Silverman, On Deadly Ground, The Frightners, Sommersby, Life, Man of the House, Toy Soldiers, The Salton Sea, Willard, and in two The Texas Chainsaw Massacre films.

Ermey also lent his voice to The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and Toy Story 3 and many more animated shows.

His co-stars Matthew Modine and Vincent D’Onofrio tweeted their condolences.

#SemperFidelis Always faithful. Always loyal.

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

RIP amigo. ✌🏽PVT. Joker #FullMetalJacket @RLeeErmey @StanleyKubrick @vincentdonofrio @ViKu1111 pic.twitter.com/AYbWQmLxy1

— Matthew Modine (@MatthewModine) April 15, 2018

Ermey was the real deal. The knowledge of him passing brings back wonderful memories of our time together. @RLeeErmey @StanleyKubrick @FMJDiary @MatthewModine @AdamBaldwin pic.twitter.com/XgsItiMqCP

— Vincent D'Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) April 16, 2018