Full Metal Jacket Star Dies
Full Metal Jacket and Toy Story actor R Lee Ermey has died aged 74.
Ermey was know for his role as sweary Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick's Vietnam War movie Full Metal Jacket. He also voiced Sarge – the plastic toy soldier – in Pixar's Toy Story films.
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
A statement from Ermey's long-time manager Bill Rogin read: "It is with deep sadness that I regret to inform you all that R Lee Ermey ('The Gunny') passed away this morning (Sunday, 15 April) from complications of pneumonia.
"He will be greatly missed by all of us. Semper Fi, Gunny. Godspeed," the statement added.
In a Facebook post, which has since been made private, Rogin added: "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," he wrote. "The real R Lee Ermey was a family man, and a kind and gentle soul."
Ermey, born in 1944 in Kansas, was a former United States Marine Corps staff sergeant and honorary gunnery sergeant. He also served as a real-life drill instructor.
He drew on his own experience for his role as a drill instructor in 1987's Full Metal Jacket, and was nominated for a Golden Globe for his portrayal.
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