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Thursday, 27 September 2007, 08:54 GMT 09:54 UK

Actor Durning wins lifetime gong

Charles Durning Veteran actor Charles Durning is to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

The 84-year-old, who has appeared in movies including To Be or Not To Be and The Sting, has been nominated for two Oscars and eight Emmy Awards.

SAG president Alan Rosenberg said Durning "epitomised the art and grace of acting and brought something special to every role".

The 14th annual SAG Awards will be held in Los Angeles on 27 January.

"He is, above all things, a great actor with the talent to which we all aspire - the power to create indelible characters," Mr Rosenberg said.

Military career

Before the star embarked on a serious acting career, he worked as an elevator operator, cab driver, bartender, night watchman, boxer and construction worker.

He was also one of the first few soldiers to land on Omaha Beach when the D-Day Normandy landing took place during World War II.

The actor was later stabbed eight times with a bayonet by a young German soldier before being taken prisoner during the Battle of the Bulge.

He survived the infamous attack on US prisoners of war at Malmedy, Belgium, and was the only person to survive a German machine gun attack.

He was honoured with three Purple Hearts and a Silver Star for his bravery.

The SAG Award nominations will be announced 20 December.



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Related to this story:
In pictures: Screen Actors Guild awards (29 Jan 07 |  In Pictures )
Regal Mirren wins another award (29 Jan 07 |  Entertainment )
DiCaprio lands double nomination (04 Jan 07 |  Entertainment )
Lifetime award for Julie Andrews (25 Sep 06 |  Entertainment )

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