R. Lee Ermey
Birthday: 24 March 1944, Emporia, Kansas, USA
Birth Name: Ronald Lee Ermey
Height: 183 cm
A talented character actor known for his military roles, Ronald Lee Ermey was in the United States Marine Corps for 11 years. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and later was bestowed the honorary ...Show More
I'm never, like I say, I'm never happy, I'm never satisfied, it's never good enough.
I'm never, like I say, I'm never happy, I'm never satisfied, it's never good enough.
It's been a pretty fun ride, to tell you the truth.
It's been a pretty fun ride, to tell you the truth.
I spend a lot of time with my characters.
I spend a lot of time with my characters.
I got to write most of everything I said.
I got to write most of everything I said.
Back in those days intimidation was the greatest tool the drill instructor had. Without that tool, h Show more
Back in those days intimidation was the greatest tool the drill instructor had. Without that tool, he would not have had control. Hide
The best part about the movie, and everybody seems to rave about it, is the boot camp part.
The best part about the movie, and everybody seems to rave about it, is the boot camp part.
Even though I disagree with many of the changes, when I see the privates graduate at the end of the Show more
Even though I disagree with many of the changes, when I see the privates graduate at the end of the day, when they walk off that drill field at the end of the ceremony, they are still fine privates; outstanding, well motivated privates. Hide
There was a huge, tremendous amount of disabled veterans and the Veteran's Administration just wasn' Show more
There was a huge, tremendous amount of disabled veterans and the Veteran's Administration just wasn't geared up for it. I know for a fact that it's getting better and better. Hide
There have been a lot of changes in recruit training in the past twenty years.
There have been a lot of changes in recruit training in the past twenty years.
I try to get over to Iraq and Afghanistan as much as I can.
I try to get over to Iraq and Afghanistan as much as I can.
We had times in '66 and '67 when we would pick up a platoon of privates out of the receiving barrack Show more
We had times in '66 and '67 when we would pick up a platoon of privates out of the receiving barracks the week before we even graduated the platoon that we were on! Hide
America's trying to do the best for its veterans.
America's trying to do the best for its veterans.
I got space from Travis Air Force Base, went back to the Philippine Islands and made it a point to m Show more
I got space from Travis Air Force Base, went back to the Philippine Islands and made it a point to meet the only American casting director in the Philippines. I was off and running. Hide
Kubrick ate it up. He loved it. He just let me go crazy.
Kubrick ate it up. He loved it. He just let me go crazy.
I've never had to spend any time in the VA hospital, so I really can't speak for those guys.
I've never had to spend any time in the VA hospital, so I really can't speak for those guys.
The bad news motivated the drill instructors that much more.
The bad news motivated the drill instructors that much more.
That's all I cared about too, was getting it right.
That's all I cared about too, was getting it right.
For me, it's an honor for the military to ask me to go to Iraq, Afghanistan, or GITMO. I'm happy to Show more
For me, it's an honor for the military to ask me to go to Iraq, Afghanistan, or GITMO. I'm happy to go. Hide
Playing the good guy is tough because you know as well as I do, in real life, you have to watch your Show more
Playing the good guy is tough because you know as well as I do, in real life, you have to watch your P's and Q's and conduct yourself in a respectable manner if you expect to have friends. Hide
The biggest problem was the politicians knew nothing about fighting a war.
The biggest problem was the politicians knew nothing about fighting a war.
In order to be a good actor, I'm a firm believer that you need to bring something to the table.
In order to be a good actor, I'm a firm believer that you need to bring something to the table.
I honestly do feel that I am a role model for young people.
I honestly do feel that I am a role model for young people.
When you try to find funding for a VVA function, it doesn't seem like it's any trouble at all. Peopl Show more
When you try to find funding for a VVA function, it doesn't seem like it's any trouble at all. People come out of the woodwork with their money to help out because we went over and fought a war. Hide
Back in the old Corp, we weren't training those privates to infiltrate into the peacetime Marine Cor Show more
Back in the old Corp, we weren't training those privates to infiltrate into the peacetime Marine Corp. We were training those privates to go to Vietnam. Hide
I go the VA Hospital when I have a problem and the doctor jumps on me.
I go the VA Hospital when I have a problem and the doctor jumps on me.
I disagree with a lot of those changes, however at the end of the day - I go down to recruit graduat Show more
I disagree with a lot of those changes, however at the end of the day - I go down to recruit graduation at least once or twice a year. Hide
I play well with everybody.
I play well with everybody.
I don't have any respect at all for the scum-bags who went to Canada to avoid the draft or to avoid Show more
I don't have any respect at all for the scum-bags who went to Canada to avoid the draft or to avoid doing their fair share. Hide
Everybody respects the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Everybody respects the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Drill instructors worked seven days a week, fifteen to seventeen hours a day in many cases, with no Show more
Drill instructors worked seven days a week, fifteen to seventeen hours a day in many cases, with no time off in between platoons. Hide
Kubrick's films have life - they just never die.
Kubrick's films have life - they just never die.
It's my firm conviction that when Uncle Sam calls, by God we go, and we do the best that we can.
It's my firm conviction that when Uncle Sam calls, by God we go, and we do the best that we can.
There's a lot of whiners in every crowd.
There's a lot of whiners in every crowd.
Communications are better now than in my Vietnam days.
Communications are better now than in my Vietnam days.
I firmly believe that you live and learn, and if you don't learn from past mistakes, then you need t Show more
I firmly believe that you live and learn, and if you don't learn from past mistakes, then you need to be drug out and shot. Hide
I always love to come to Austin.
I always love to come to Austin.
Every character I've ever played, I always try to take him right to the edge and not allow him to fa Show more
Every character I've ever played, I always try to take him right to the edge and not allow him to fall over, but directors have a tendency to pull me back a little bit. Hide
The drill instructor must have total and complete control. Mindless obedience is what he's after.
The drill instructor must have total and complete control. Mindless obedience is what he's after.
I don't have to be concerned about everybody else's character.
I don't have to be concerned about everybody else's character.
Without discipline, there is no Marine Corps.
Without discipline, there is no Marine Corps.
I was stationed at a marine recruit depot in San Diego from 1965 to 1967.
I was stationed at a marine recruit depot in San Diego from 1965 to 1967.
R. Lee Ermey's FILMOGRAPHY
as Actor (215)
R. Lee Ermey'S roles
Captain Nichols
General Platt
Lead Kidnapper
Stone
Clyde Percy
Mayor Tilman
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