Charles was two time Oscar nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for: 'To Be or Not to Be' (1983) and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for: 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' (1982). He won his Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV for: 'The Kennedys of Massachusetts' (1990). He also has 8 Emmy nominations over his career. Was trained in classical dance and was for a time in his early career, a dance instructor. Learning the craft of acting Charles also studied Martial Arts early in his career and amazingly also fought on the same card as Jack Warden in Madison Square Garden. He later won Broadway's 1990 Tony Award as Best Actor (Featured Role - Play) for portraying Big Daddy in a revival of Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." But the least known and most inspiring part of Charles legacy dates back to 1944.
Charles served with the 1st Infantry Division in World War II and was part of the Normandy invasion memorialized by Saving Private Ryan. Charles landed at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 and was through that day and the course of the war awarded several decorations, including the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and three Purple Hearts. Survived the bloody D-Day assault on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 with little fanfare and never really spoke about those days events until 50 years later because the impact of that day was so devastating and such an emotional experience.
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