R. Lee Ermey rose to lasting fame through his unforgettable portrayal of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket—a role that resonated so strongly because it was rooted in his own years of military service. Before stepping into Hollywood, Ermey had served in the U.S. Marine Corps, with tours in both Vietnam and Okinawa. His firsthand knowledge of the military world gave his performance a realism and authority that few actors could match.
After leaving active duty, Ermey transitioned into film, frequently cast as tough, commanding figures whose presence struck a chord with audiences inside and outside the military. Yet even as his acting career flourished, he never distanced himself from his Marine identity. He became a passionate advocate for service members and veterans, leveraging his platform to highlight their challenges and needs. To countless men and women in uniform, Ermey was not simply an actor playing a Marine—he embodied the grit, loyalty, and spirit of the Corps long after his days in service had ended.
A young R. Lee Ermey’s run-ins with the law
R. Lee Ermey was born on March 24, 1944, in Emporia, Kansas, as one of six siblings. He grew up working on a farm near Kansas City before his family relocated to Zillah, Washington, when he was 14. During his teenage years, Ermey frequently clashed with authority figures and found himself in trouble with the law more than once.
At 17, his life reached a turning point. After two arrests for juvenile offenses, a judge presented him with a stark choice: serve time in jail or join the armed forces. Ermey chose the U.S. Marine Corps, a path that brought him the discipline and direction he lacked and set the stage for both his service career and his eventual rise as an actor.
An 11-year-long career with the US Marine Corps
R. Lee Ermey initially aspired to join the US Navy but was rejected due to his past. As a result, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. He served in aviation support before becoming a drill sergeant with India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, at the Recruit Depot from 1965 to 1967.
After his time in San Diego, Ermey was assigned to Marine Wing Support Group (MWSG) 17 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Okinawa, Japan. He was later deployed to South Vietnam for 14 months before returning to Okinawa.
During his time there, he was promoted to staff sergeant and continued his aviation duties.
R. Lee Ermey was a decorated US Marine Corps veteran
In 1972, R. Lee Ermey was medically discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps due to injuries sustained in combat. In a 1987 interview with The New York Times, he revealed that his military service ended after being struck “by a rocket” in 1969, though he offered few further details. It was widely known, however, that shrapnel remained embedded in his back for the remainder of his life.
During his time in uniform, Ermey earned an impressive array of awards, including the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and both Sharpshooter and Marksman Badges.
Following his active duty, Ermey was honored with the Marine Corps Instructor Ribbon in recognition of his service as a recruit training instructor. In 2002, Commandant James L. Jones presented him with a rare ceremonial promotion to gunnery sergeant, making him the only retired Marine to ever receive such an exceptional distinction.
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
R. Lee Ermey’s career in film and television stretched across more than six decades, with over 60 credited appearances. His first on-screen role came in Apocalypse Now (1979), portraying a helicopter pilot while also working behind the scenes as the film’s technical advisor. At the time, Ermey was studying criminology and drama at the University of Manila.
In the years that followed, he appeared in a series of smaller roles before landing his career-defining part in Full Metal Jacket (1987). Initially brought on by director Stanley Kubrick as a technical advisor, Ermey’s commanding presence in a demonstration video convinced Kubrick to cast him as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman. Given room to improvise and adapt his dialogue, Ermey injected the role with striking authenticity, helping to create one of cinema’s most memorable portrayals of a drill instructor. His performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
R. Lee Ermey’s other on-screen work
Other notable appearances by R. Lee Ermey were the Toy Story franchise, the 2003 remake of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Mississippi Burning (1988) and Dead Man Walking (1995). Outside of film, he lent his voice to a host of animated series, including The Simpsons (1989-present), Family Guy (1999-present), The Grim Adventures of Bill & Mandy (2003-07) and Invader Zim (2001-02).
He did the same for a number of video games, such as Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel and Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex.
From 2002-09, Ermey hosted Mail Call on History Channel, where he answered viewers questions about the military. In 2003, he traveled to Kuwait during the opening phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom to film the US Department of Defense’s mail distribution to service personnel. He also hosted Lock n’ Load with R. Lee Ermey on History Channel, covering the development of different weapon types, and GunnyTime on Outdoor Channel.
R. Lee Ermey ‘bought a run-down bar’
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly in 1997, R. Lee Ermey explained that, following his retirement, he “bought a run-down bar and w********* in Okinawa.” His fellow servicemen received “honorary memberships” in exchange for helping him renovate the establishment. “I was doing a little black-marketing and the Okinawa FBI got hot on my trail,” he explained. “So I boogied on out to the Philippines.”
It was there he met his wife, Nila, whom he married in 1975. The pair had four children and remained married until his death. Once back in the US, he co-founded Bravery Brewing, located in Lancaster, California.
Continuing his work with the US Marine Corps until his death
Even after retiring from the military and achieving Hollywood fame, R. Lee Ermey never stopped giving back to the armed forces. He frequently visited Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, and Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, to speak with recruits, offering encouragement and sharing his experiences. He also traveled overseas to boost troop morale, performing USO-style shows at bases in Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar, and Kuwait. At Bagram Airfield, he brought laughter to the front lines by performing a comedy routine as his iconic Gunnery Sgt. Hartman character.
Beyond his military visits, Ermey was deeply involved in veterans’ causes and supported numerous charities dedicated to helping service members and their families.
Ermey passed away on April 15, 2018, at the age of 74 due to complications from pneumonia. In January 2019, his ashes were laid to rest in Section 82 of Arlington National Cemetery. About 100 friends, family members, and fans gathered to honor him with a solemn ceremony that included a firing party, a casket team, a bugler, and the traditional folding and presentation of the American flag.