As an ex-pro boxer, World War II veteran, dance instructor Durning didn't get in front of the cameras until age 40. Durning got his start in guest appearances in early 1960's TV shows. He scored minor roles over the next decade until he really got noticed by film fans as the sneering, corrupt cop "Lt. Snyder" in the multi award winning hit The Sting. Durning was equally entertaining in the Billy Wilder production of The Front Page, he supported screen tough guy Charles Bronson in the suspenseful western Breakheart Pass and as "Spermwhale Whalen" in the story of unorthodox police behavior in The Choirboys. He starred a police lieutenant in "Dog Day Afternoon".
I loived Durning as "Doc Hopper" in The Muppet Movie growing up, He was a feisty football coach in North Dallas Forty, a highly strung police officer berating maverick cop Burt Reynolds in Sharky's Machine and a dancing Governor (with Reynolds once more) in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, He was great as Dustin Hoffman's would-be suitor in the comedy "Tootsie."
Durning continued a regular on screen association with Reynolds appearing in several more features and as "Dr. Harlan Elldridge" in the highly popular TV series "Evening Shade" . Durning was always in demand on television and has guest starred in "Everybody Loves Raymond" ,"Monk" and "Rescue Me", He has appeared in the role of "Santa Claus" in five different telemovies--- It Nearly Wasn't Christmas, Mrs. Santa Claus, Elmo Saves Christmas, Mr. St. Nick and A Boyfriend for Christmas.
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