Loss of One More Beautiful Soul: Full Metal Jacket' R Lee Ermey Diest at 74
The world is saddened by the loss of R.Lee Ermey.
Actor and voice artist Lee Ermey, known for the portrayal of a full-mouthed Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Vietnam War film Full Metal Jacket passed on Sunday, April 15 at 74.
American actor and voice artist R Lee Ermey died of pneumonia at 74
Source: Variety
The former US Marine officer turned award-winning actor died of pneumonia at a hospital in Santa Monica, California, his manager Bill Rogin revealed via the actor's Twitter account at 3:51 pm on Sunday.
Statement from R. Lee Ermey's long time manager, Bill Rogin:
— R. Lee Ermey (@RLeeErmey) 15 April 2018
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
Born in Kansas, the United States on March 24, 1944, Lee Ermey was a staff sergeant in the marine corps in the 1960s and early 1970s, serving tours in Japan and Vietnam and also served as a real-life drill instructor.
His military experience landed him his breakout role in Stanley Kubrick's 1987 directorial Full Metal Jacket, earning a Golden Globe nomination for the best-supporting-actor with his performance as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman.
In a Facebook post-since made inaccessible, Bill Rogin said,
It is extremely difficult to truly quantify all of the great things this man has selflessly done for, and on behalf of, our many men and women in uniform.
Gunnery Sergeant Hartman of Full Metal Jacket fame was a hard and principled man. The real R Lee Ermey was a family man, and a kind and gentle soul.