R. Lee Ermey Biography: Movies, TV Shows, Cause of Death, Net Worth, Age, Parents, Height, Siblings, Wife

Ronald Lee Ermey, born on March 24, 1944, in Emporia, Kansas, was an American actor, U.S. Marine Corps drill instructor, and television host.

He is best remembered for his iconic portrayal of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick‘s Full Metal Jacket (1987), a role that earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Profile

• Full name: Ronald Lee Ermey
• Date of birth: March 24, 1944
• Age at death: 74 years
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Emporia, Kansas
• State of origin: Kansas
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Actor, television host, voice actor
• Height: 6 feet
• Parents: John Edward Ermey (father), Betty Jane Ermey (mother)
• Siblings: Five brothers
• Spouse: Nila Ermey (m. 1975)
• Children: Six
• Relationship status: Married (at the time of death)
• Ethnicity: Caucasian
• Net worth: $12 million (at the time of death)

Early Life and Education

Ronald Lee Ermey was born on March 24, 1944, in Emporia, Kansas, to John Edward Ermey and Betty Jane Ermey. He was raised on a farm outside Kansas City, Kansas, alongside his five brothers. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1961.

During his service, he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and served for 11 years. His military career included a tour in Vietnam and two tours in Okinawa, Japan. Due to injuries sustained during his service, Ermey was medically discharged in 1972.

After leaving the Marines, Ermey moved to the Philippines and enrolled at the University of Manila to study criminology and drama. It was during this time that he began appearing in Filipino films and working as a technical advisor for Hollywood productions such as Apocalypse Now (1979).

Personal Life

R. Lee Ermey married Marianila (Nila) Ypon in 1981, and together they had four children. The couple remained married until his death in 2018.

Despite his tough on-screen persona, Ermey was known for his dedication to family life and his advocacy for military personnel. He often participated in events supporting veterans and active-duty service members.

Career

Ermey‘s acting career began with small roles in films like The Boys in Company C (1978) and Apocalypse Now (1979), where he also served as a technical advisor due to his military expertise.

His breakthrough came with Stanley Kubrick‘s Full Metal Jacket (1987), where he played Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. Originally hired as a technical advisor for the film, Kubrick cast him after being impressed by his authenticity and improvisational skills.

Following this success, Ermey appeared in numerous films such as Mississippi Burning (1988), Se7en (1995), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), and its prequel The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006). He also voiced Sarge, the leader of the green plastic Army men, in Pixar’s Toy Story franchise.

On television, Ermey hosted Mail Call on the History Channel from 2002 to 2009 and later hosted Lock n’ Load with R. Lee Ermey. Both programs showcased his deep knowledge of military history and weaponry.

Awards

• Golden Globe Nomination: Best Supporting Actor for Full Metal Jacket
• Boston Society of Film Critics Award: Best Supporting Actor for Full Metal Jacket
• Honorary Gunnery Sergeant rank awarded by the U.S. Marine Corps

Net Worth

At the time of his death in 2018, R. Lee Ermey‘s net worth was estimated at $12 million. His wealth was accumulated through his extensive acting career, television hosting roles, and voiceover work.

Death

R. Lee Ermey passed away on April 15, 2018, at the age of 74 due to complications from pneumonia. He died in Santa Monica, California, and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Social Media

• Instagram: N/A
• Twitter: N/A

Filmography

• The Boys in Company C (1978)
• Apocalypse Now (1979)
• Full Metal Jacket (1987)
• Mississippi Burning (1988)
• Fletch Lives (1989)
• Se7en (1995)
• Dead Man Walking (1995)
• Saving Silverman (2001)
• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)
• Toy Story series (1995–2010; voice role as Sarge)