Broadway lights to dim for late actor Charles Durning

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NEW YORK, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- The marquees of Broadway theaters will be dimmed Thursday evening in honor of late actor Charles Durning.

Durning, a star of stage, film and TV, died Monday at the age of 89.

"Charles Durning was a memorable figure on Broadway who delighted audiences in thousands of performances," Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of The Broadway League, said in a statement. "It made no difference if he was an ensemble player or leading man, his talent enabled him to show the truth and reveal the story of any role. He will be greatly missed."

Durning's portrayal of Big Daddy, the bullying, dying plantation owner in a 1990 Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," earned him a Tony Award for best featured actor in a play.

His other Broadway credits include "That Championship Season," "Boom Boom Room," "Au Pair Man," "Knock Knock," "Inherit the Wind," "The Gin Game" and "The Best Man."

He also appeared in the films "The Sting," "Dog Day Afternoon," "Tootsie," "To Be or Not to Be" and "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas."

He was a cast member on the TV shows "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Rescue Me," as well.