R.I.P.: Marine, Actor, TV Host R. Lee Ermey

R. Lee Ermey, the actor known for his Golden Globe-nominated role as an intimidating drill sergeant in "Full Metal Jacket," died Sunday at the age of 74, according to a statement from his manager.

CNN Reports Ermey died from complications of pneumonia, according to Bill Rogin, his manager, in a post on Twitter. CNN's calls and emails to Rogin were not returned.

Ermey played the role of the tough Gunnery Sgt. Hartman who trains a new group of recruits in the 1987 film "Full Metal Jacket." He received a Golden Globe best supporting actor nomination for his role in the movie directed by Stanley Kubrick.

The Vietnam veteran brought authenticity to the role after having spent 11 years in the Marine Corps from 1961 to 1972. He spent two years as a drill instructor at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was medically retired for injuries in 1971 and in 2002 he received an honorary promotion to Gunnery Sergeant, according to a biography on his website.

"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," Rogin said in a statement issued on Facebook.
"He has also contributed many iconic and indelible characters on film that will live on forever."

According to The NYTimes, Ronald Lee Ermey was born on March 24, 1944, in Emporia, Kan., and moved to Washington State at age 11. He enlisted in the Marines immediately after graduating from high school and intended to spend decades in the military.

Much of the torrent of vicious language he unleashed in “Full Metal Jacket” was recalled from his days in boot camp and his 30 months as a Marine Corps drill instructor during the Vietnam War.

The clever, if profane, tirades were of his own invention, Mr. Ermey told The New York Times in 1987.

“It was terrifying to those actors,” he said of the invective he spewed. “My objective was intimidation.”

Mr. Ermey’s 11-year career as a Marine was ended “by a rocket” in 1969, but he would not talk about the war for the Times article, saying: “If a person’s wife and children were killed in a terrible automobile accident, 20 years later it will bother him to talk about it.”

With shrapnel still lodged in his back and arm, Mr. Ermey spent four months in a hospital. Eventually, he moved to the Philippines, where he married, attended college briefly and acted in television commercials.