Lee Ermey

Actor and drill instructor Ronald Lee Ermey was born in Emporia, Kansas, in the United States on March 24, 1944. In 1987's Full Metal Jacket, where he played Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, he rose to popularity and was a Golden Globe nominee for Best Supporting Actor. Ermey was a staff sergeant in the USMC as well as an honorary gunnery sergeant. Ermey completed recruit training from San Diago at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, California, when he joined the US Marine Corps at the age of 17.

His first acting gig was in Sidney J. Furie's The Boys in Company C as a Marine drill instructor. Ermey was frequently cast in roles of authority figures, including Sheriff Hoyt in the remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Jimmy Lee Farnsworth in Fletch Lives,Bill Bowerman in Prefontaine, a police captain in Se7en, Sarge, the leader of the plastic army men, in the first three installments of the Lt. ‘Tice’ Ryan in Rocket Power, Toy Story franchise (1995–2010),  and John House in the television series House. Ermey hosted two shows on the History Channel, which focused on the creation of various types of weaponry, and ‘Mail Call,’ in which he responded to questions from viewers regarding various military topics, both current and historical.

On the Outdoor Channel, he was the host of Gunny Time. Ermey served as the official spokesperson for a variety of companies, including Black Book (National Auto Research), Young Marines, Glock weapons, Tupperware, TRU-SPEC clothing, Hoover, SOG Specialty Knives, WD-40, Victory Motorcycles, and he also made appearances in ads for Coors Light, Dick's Sporting Goods, GEICO, and pistachio nuts.

The Professional Bull Riders were introduced by him. He is seen doing a public service announcement for Alamo Drafthouse Theatres, asking for calm throughout the movie.  He was on the National Rifle Association of America's board of directors. On April 15, 2018, early morning, Ermey, age 74, passed away at a hospital in Santa Monica, California, due to pneumonia-related complications. On January 18, 2019, a service for his funeral was held at Arlington National Cemetery.