Few performers have made as enduring an effect with a single performance as Ronal Lee Ermey’s portrayal as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in the film ‘Full Metal Jacket.’ He was a soldier in the United States Marine Corps, where he attained to the rank of staff Sergeant. In recognition of his excellent service, the Marine Corps awarded him the honorary rank of Gunnery Sergeant. He began performing in films after being discharged from the military and quickly climbed to popularity, receiving numerous prizes and critical praise. His portrayal as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman was well-received, and he quickly established himself as a household name. Despite the fact that he was never able to match the popularity of this performance in his subsequent films, he has cemented a permanent position in the hearts of moviegoers. He also made guest appearances and hosted various television shows, which helped him become a household name in addition to his success on the big screen. He’s also done voice work for a number of animated films and video games. He continues to enthrall moviegoers with his enthralling performances and distinct voice.
Childhood and Early Life
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1961, after being born in Emporia, Kansas.
Career of R. Lee Ermey
From 1965 to 1967, he worked as a drill instructor at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, and Parris Island, South Carolina.
He proceeded to Vietnam the next year, where he worked for nearly 14 months with the Marine Wing Support Group 17.
He also served in the Japanese island of Okinawa, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Due to injuries acquired throughout his numerous duty tours, he was discharged from the military in 1972.
He then moved to the Philippines, where he studied criminology and acting at the University of Manila.
Around this period, he starred as a Marine Drill Instructor in the 1987 film “The Boys in Company “C,” which catapulted him to fame.
He went on to perform a few lesser roles in the following years, notably a stern drill instructor in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket. He received critical acclaim for the part and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor.
He didn’t have to look back after that, appearing in films such as Purple Hearts, Mississippi Burning, The Siege of Firebase Gloria, and Dead Man Walking.
He also appeared on episodes including ‘Kim Possible,’ ‘The Simpsons,’ and ‘Family Guy,’ as well as hosting the documentary series ‘Mail Call and Lock N’ Load.’ He explored a wide range of topics on the show, including weaponry, tactical issues, and military history.
In the very hit TV drama ‘House,’ he made a guest appearance. He also appeared in a number of episodes of ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’ as a voice actor. Colonel Leslie’s role was voiced by him in an episode of ‘The Simpsons’ titled “Sideshow Bob’s Last Gleaming.”
He appeared as a voice actor in a SpongeBob SquarePants episode (Inmates of Summer).
He has voiced characters in video games such as ‘Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel,’ ‘Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex,’ and others.
In 2009, he hosted the second History Channel episode, ‘Lock N’ Load with R. Lee Ermey,’ which went into great detail into the history of numerous military weapons.
In 2010, he appeared in a GEICO commercial and was a regular on ESPN’s College GameDay.
On the X-Play special of Bulletstorm in 2011, he played a drill instructor.
Major Projects of R. Lee Ermey
He earned the Boston Society Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor in the 1987 Stanley Kubrick film ‘Full Metal Jacket,’ and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture. The film was the 23rd highest grossing film of 1987, grossing $46,357,676.
In the film ‘The Body Snatchers,’ he played General Platt (1993). It’s a science fiction horror film largely based on The Body Snatchers, a 1955 novel.
Achievements & Awards
For his portrayal in Stanley Kubrick’s film “Full Metal Jacket,” he won the Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture.
In recognition of his sustained commitment for American military duty, he received an honorary post-service promotion to Gunnery Sergeant (E-7) on May 17, 2002.
Personal History and Legacy
He married Nila in 1975 and they had four children together. From his former marriage, he has two daughters.
R. Lee Ermey Net Worth
Trivia
He was originally cast as a technical advisor to the man playing the drill instructor in Stanley Kubrick’s film “Full Metal Jacket.” He, on the other hand, impressed the director so much that he was offered the part.
In two consecutive films, this actor utilized the identical dialogue, “You’re not frightened of a little blood, are you?”