About
Ronald Lee Ermey, born March 24, 1944 in Emporia, Kansas, and died April 15, 2018 in Santa Monica, California, was an American actor and former Marine drill instructor. After eleven years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a stint as a drill instructor in San Diego and a tour in Vietnam, he was medically discharged in 1972. His acting career began as a technical advisor on *Apocalypse Now* (1979), where he also played a helicopter pilot. He became famous for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in *Full Metal Jacket* (1987), earning a Golden Globe nomination. He voiced the character Sarge in the *Toy Story* franchise and hosted several military-themed television shows.
* 1944-03-24 — † 2018-04-15
Major works
- Full Metal Jacket (1987)film
- Apocalypse Now (1979)film
- Toy Story (1995)animated film
- Mail Call (2002)TV series
- Gunny's Rules: How to Get Squared Away Like a Marine (2013)book
Key milestones
- 1961Enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.
- 1987Played Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in *Full Metal Jacket*, earning a Golden Globe nomination.
- 2002Received an honorary promotion to Gunnery Sergeant, a first for a Marine retiree.
Themes
Military disciplineLeadershipMilitary historyPatriotismDetermination
Sources: id.loc.gov · nytimes.com · televisionacademy.com