Transcript

A former U.S. Marine drill instructor, Ronald Lee Ermey is best known as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in the movie, Full Metal Jacket.

Born in Emporia, Kansas, on March 24, 1944, Lee grew up in farmland alongside his five brothers.

He served in the United States Marine Corps as a drill instructor until injuries forced him to retire in 1971 after ten years.

The decorated veteran has been honored with Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross and the National Defense Service Medal.

Subsequently, after his retirement, he moved to the Philippines and enrolled at the University of Manila, where he studied criminology and drama.

Lee’s debut movie appearance came in a 1978 war-drama, The Boys in Company C.

He has starred in several hit movies like ‘Apocalypse Now,’ ‘Prefontaine,’ ‘The Texas Chain Massacre,’ ‘Mississippi Burning,’ ‘Fletch Lives,’ ‘Se7en,’ and more.

After his 1984 movie, Purple Hearts, he was given a nickname, Gunny.

For his role as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in the 1987 movie, Full Metal Jacket, he was nominated for a Golden Globe.

In 2009, he hosted, Lock N’ Load with R. Lee Ermey, the show was about the advancement of military weaponry throughout the history.

 Additionally, he also hosted other shows like History Channel’s ‘Mail Call’ and the Outdoor Channel’s ‘Gunny Time.’

Besides, he has lent his voice to animated films and TV shows including Toy Story, Family Guy, The Simpsons, and SpongeBob SquarePants.

He is married to a woman named Nila Ermey since 1975, and the couple has four children together.

As of 2018, he has a net worth of approximately $12 million.