Sad news to report today. R. Lee Ermey, most notably known for his role in Full Metal Jacket, has passed away. He was 74 years old.
The news was announced via his official Twitter account by his longtime manager, Bill Rogin. According to the Twitter post, he died due to complications from pneumonia.
In addition to his role in Stanley Kubrick’s Oscar-nominated film, Ermey had several other mostly authority figure roles to his credit, including Sheriff Hoyt in 2003’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake and its prequel, a police captain in Se7en, and the voice of the plastic army men’s leader Sarge in Toy Story.
Ermey was a former United States Marine Corps staff sergeant and honorary gunnery sergeant and served as a drill instructor during his tenure from 1961-1972.
You’ll be greatly missed, Mr. Ermey. No one can shout out orders quite like you.
R.I.P.
