Full Metal Jacket Star R. Lee Ermey Passes Away

TMZ reports that actor R. Lee Ermey, who is best known for his role as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, has passed away. He was 74 years old.

Ermey’s manager revealed that the actor died Sunday (April 15) after complications from pneumonia. The actor, marine and former drill instructor appeared in more than 70 films.

His longtime manager, Bill Rogin, wrote on Ermey’s Facebook page: “He will be greatly missed by all of us. It is a terrible loss that nobody was prepared for. He has meant so much to so many people. And, 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. He has also contributed many iconic and indelible characters on film that will live on forever. Gunnery Sergeant Hartman of Full Metal Jacket fame was a hard and principled man. The real R. Lee Ermey was a family man, and a kind and gentle soul. He was generous to everyone around him. And, he especially cared deeply for others in need.”

Ermey served in the United States Marine Corps as a staff sergeant and an honorary gunnery sergeant. He was also a drill instructor for the Marines. Additionally, he served 14 months in the Vietnam War and completed two tours in Okinawa, Japan.

Some of his other notable film roles include The Frighteners, Se7en, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), and Fletch Lives.

Ermey is survived by his wife of 43 years, Nila, and their four children. You can also read a statement posted to Ermey’s Twitter account today by his manager below.

https://twitter.com/RLeeErmey/status/985651917870202883