How R. Lee Ermey knew how to act in Full Metal Jacket, 1987 

The most drill sargeant thing he did was in the bathroom scene,he comes in wearing t-shirt,boxers,and HIS HAT.

In her mind, she was interviewing the character, not the actor.

He was a class act. She was clueless, but not rude, and he was informative and respectful.

The fact Ermey calls 50 Vietnam vets studying how a drill instructor should act in a movie for realism, is just amazing to detail and felt very immersive

Its so weird hearing his voice so calm when im so used to hearing him yell

"You're so ugly you could be a modern art masterpiece!!!" All time best line in a movie...RIP Gunny!!!

R. Lee Ermey: "Well of course I know him, he's me."

R Lee Ermey was a extremely smart man it seems. The analogy that when you're in a 65mph speed zone, and another person is going 80, thats that individuals choice not the states is amazing.

Truly a man that WOULD have the common decency to give you a reach-around....

He provided her with a presence of calmness, professionalism, and intelligence during the interview. He knew she was clueless but held his bearing and continued to bring a good light on the U.S.M.C .....a perfect Marine.

I've always said that Full Metal Jacket was the most accurate depiction of boot camp ever. I went through Parr is Island in 1969 and on to Viet Nam in 1970. Ermy had not only the back ground but also the experience to make it real. I knew as soon as I started watching the movie he had been a real life DI.

I was discharged from the USMC in 1970. When I saw this movie in the theater, I knew nothing about R. Lee Ermey but I commented immediately after the movie that ".... this guy was absolutely a Drill Instructor, no one is that good of an actor without having been there".

Ah man, can you imagine if he stepped back into his role voice mid-interview just to mess with her? It would be the best interview in the history of television.

It was sad that he wasn't even mentioned in the 2019 Oscar's In Memoriam. Sad and revolting, really.

I’m a former Marine. I met Gunny Ermey at a function in San Diego in the mid 2000s. This is much more in line with who he was. Engaging, much more polite and quiet than you’d think. He turns it on but what a great great human being. RIP to a damn fine Marine.

My uncle was a Marine during WWII. He and I watched FMJ one night and I asked him if it was accurate. He said it might as well have been a documentary, it was so spot-on. He also said that it was every bit as illegal to "properly motivate" during the dark days of World War II, but it was the only way to "pack the gear" and save lives.

R. Lee Ermey was a genius and she didn't seem to appreciate it.

He should win an Oscar for this performance. RIP

The fact he was an actual drill sergeant and mostly every one of his lines were improvised is awesome

It's hard to explain how realistic his performance was in Full Metal Jacket, unless you've actually been to boot camp, then you understand. The fear and intimidation that his recruits had for him is something that all recruits have for their drill instructor when going through basic training. He nailed that perfectly.

Sir, Rest-in-Peace, Sir! You will be missed!

I was USMC 1966, 67 and 68. The time period of Full Metal Jacket. Thier film was on the mark. The insanity of boot camp is to get you ready to survive combat. And yes our drill instructors were not bashful about beating the snot out of a slacker. The penalty for failure in combat is dead marines, ask any combat marine he will tell you combat makes bootcamp seem like a formal english tea

Had the honor and privilege to meet Gunny and let me tell you…even in his older age, he’s quite the intimidating man. And he had a heart of gold. Very kind and genuine person with a friendly personality. RIP Gunny

Comes across as a humble and genuine guy. Totally honest and such a good actor

Deserved an Oscar for what may be the finest acting performance ever put on film.

That sparkle in his eyes makes me feel like he is still alive

The scariest acting performance I witnessed. His work invoked fear in me and I was fully aware it was a movie. Completely captivating. One of the greatest performances of all time. 🙏🏼❤️

He has class,and it looks to me like he has a genius level IQ.His eyes light up.This man is brilliant

Incredible when you compare his performance in Full Metal Jacket to this interview. A highly articulate, and intelligent man who served with honor. You sir will be greatly missed.

"Most of you will go to Vietnam. Some of you will not come back. But always remember this: Marines die, that's what were here for! But the Marine Corps lives forever. And that means you live forever!" -Gunnery Sergeant Hartman

I went through all of that 52 years ago. He was pretty spot-on in the movie. Rest in peace my brother!

That was the most accurate basic training movie ever made. Having lived it I can say that obviously nobody ever told the drill sargeants about no verbal abuse.

Such an amazing human and actor. We miss you Gunny. RIP R. Lee Ermey

This proves how good of an actor he was. That someone this calm and well spoken could act like he did in full metal jacket is just brilliant. She didn't appreciate who she was talking to.

This guy did such a good job and had so much respect for the role it was unreal.... what an actor... he was so informative to the realism too.

What a class act Gentleman. Rest in Power good sir.

Gunnery SGT Hartman's speeches are a language of love. Most civilians just dont speak it. He's getting men ready for war. Not teaching them to bake a pie.

Can we take a moment to appreciate R. Lee Ermey's outfit? Man had mad sauce

It's interesting to hear him soft-spoken, polite, subdued, as he is in this interview, such a stark contrast to the character for which he became so well known. Full Metal Jacket made him famous, and he spent the rest of his career playing the loud, assertive, hard-bitten drill instructor, forever yelling at knuckle-headed recruits. If you watch the shows he hosted for the History Channel, Mail Call and Lock n' Load (I really loved Mail Call), he's still playing a version of that character, although more obviously all in good fun.

"I'm a piece of cake" right out of the gate lol love it

Rest in peace Gunny. You will be dearly missed! Great man and great service to our great country.

Rest easy Gunny. We’ve got the watch now.

I met him twice, last timr at the MCAS New River SNCO club, pure class, very funny, and just a nice guy. Semper Fi Gunny!

He deserved an Oscar for that explanation about how it’s unusual behavior for drill instructors.

I was in Nam 68 and 69. The movie was dead on.

It’s kind of amazing to hear him talking in his natural voice. I feel like later on in his life, his public persona became him just playing the “gunny” character non-stop.

I served in the Marines 4 yrs, 1968 - 1972, including a tour in Vietnam. GySygt Ermey, you gave an absolutely great, authentic portrayal of your character. Vivid, powerful. Semper Fi, Gunny. RIP

What I find most amazing about Ermey is not that he nailed the role of a drill sergeant. That could be attributed to his previous real life experience. But rather that he turned out to be a first rate actor. He played numerous other roles after that and he absolutely nailed them. He was either a natural or prepared for that chance meticulously.

This is like the greatest drill sergeant of all time being interviewed by my mom.

RIP Marine and thank you for your service and sacrifice. Oorah!

one of the best performances in the history of cinema. forever and ever. thank you!

Brilliant actor. Greatly missed but not forgotten.

Terrible interviewer, but Ermey handled it well. Not too many people get to create something so iconic and memorable.

Wow he looked marvelous here. My dad said that the drill sgt he had were just as snarly. He said that it was because of what they were sending you into. If they treated you with kit gloves or as he said "A DISH RAG" you would not be hardened for call of duty. Rest peaceful Gunny!

Interviews in the old days were so eloquent.

R. Lee Ermy was actually a drill instructor in real life. which made him perfect for that roll. I also liked him as the judge in the movie. "Murder in the First". which is probably one of my all time favorite movies. Kevin Bacon should have gotten an award for his roll in that movie. and Christian Slater was AWESOME too.

R. Lee Ermy was a DI himself in the USMC. As someone who also served in the USMC, the boot camp scenes are the most realistic I have ever seen in a military movie. Semper FI. RIP Marine. Drinking with "Chesty" Puller now. "In 1961, at age 17, Ermey enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and went through recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in San Diego, California. He served in the aviation support field for a few years before becoming a drill instructor in India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, where he was assigned from 1965 to 1967. Ermey then served in Marine Wing Support Group 17 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan. In 1968, he was ordered to South Vietnam with MWSG-17, and spent 14 months in the country. The remainder of his service was on Okinawa, where he was advanced to staff sergeant (E-6). He was medically retired in 1972 because of several injuries. On May 17, 2002, he received an honorary promotion to gunnery sergeant (E-7) by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James L. Jones."

She's a crappy interviewer here. He showed a lot of composure to deal with her and deliver good information.

Genuinely an absolutely excellent actor in what ever part that needed him. Fortunately there were many.

Boy, this woman is the most naive interviewer I've ever seen! And good ol' R. Lee took it easy on her when he could very easily have chewed her up and spit her out. I also noticed that he tactfully omitted the part that his dialogue in the opening barracks scene in the movie was unscripted and was all ad-lib on his part, at the request of Stanley Kubrick. When R. Lee said that there were "a few" like Hartman, he wasn't kidding because he was one of them. One of the best DIs to ever wear a campaign hat, if not THE best. R.I.P. GUNNY. SEMPER FI.

Can't imagine anyone else in that role. One of those unforgettable performances. Perfect casting? Sir! ...Yes!...Sir!.

There's nobody else who could've played Sgt. Hartman better than R. Lee Ermey. He even Improvised some of the lines in the movie. Rest in Peace Sir and thank you for your service.

Such an amazing man. Thank you for your service! Many remarkable service men and women have served with honor.

So amazing to hear Hartman be such a soft spoken nice guy. R Lee Ermey was a gem.

This woman is one of those people that just constantly go “I dOn’T gEt It”

Semper Fi Gunny, R.I.P.

I won’t lie, it’s weird hearing R Lee Ermey talking so calmly and kindly when I’ve been so used to hearing him yelling so much. 😂 He played Gunnery Sergeant Hartman so perfectly. I miss him.

"I'm a piece of cake." Well, you didn't manage to make that sound any less threatening, Mr. Ermey. RIP Sir, you were a treasure.

He's definitely downplaying. My father was a Marine and was in the Corps at the same time as Gunny. When we watched FMJ together, Dad started laughing. He said that was just how it was back then. Glad Dad got to meet Gunny back in 2015. Now both are gone.

I would have said: “Thank you, I’m glad you’re afraid of me because that means my acting was precisely on point.”

My Father is a former Marine and Vietnam vet. He said the training half was the most realistic scene in a movie he has ever seen aside from PVT Pyle being able to sneak any live rounds back to the barracks. One of my favorite movies as a kid and still now. Coming from an Army combat vet, Afghanistan and Iraq

It’s weird but nice to see him being so soft spoken and kind

I still remember walking into the movie theater to watch FMJ in 1987. Kubrick and the awesome drill sergeant...mind blowing!

"Tough Love" changed my life! Thanks Gunny. You will live forever in our memories and the things you said, your book, all of the movies, and Mail Call on History Channel!!

Why didn't he get an Oscar? he was simply amazing! The films director must have been delighted with the way Lee just 'nailed it'! --Perfect!

he seems like a genuinely nice person in this interview. excellent actor.

Fascinating to see this side of him, really a cool interview.

He should have recieved 2 oscars for his performance in Full Metal Jacket😳😇💕

ive never heard him talk normal and calm. very well spoken and respective.

RIP. What a man! He and Vincent should've been Oscar nominated.

"Marines die, that's what we're here for. But the Marine Corps lives forever. And that means YOU live forever." R. Lee Ermey . Semper FI Gunny..........RIP

The Fatbodies who disliked this video are still paying for that Jelly Doughnut!

Can you imagine a celebrity being interviewed in 2023 having this much class, intelligence and respect? We have truly fallen far as a society, and people like R Lee Ermey really put it into perspective.

A National treasure, as all Vets are. He was articulate and inteligent in discussing this subject and his experiences in the Marines.

R.I.P Gunny, I remember those days and nights. USMC Ret. 73 - 93.

"No honey, Drill Sergeants usually fluff your pillow, kiss you goodnight, and make you tea and crumpets in the morning." What a dope.

He was a absolutely fantastic in FMJ! God bless you sir!

I loved this guy's performance and numerous other vets have told me the same

Wow, a powerful man with very powerful memory's. Hard man with a soft heart, rip from UK

I was actually thinking of meeting him someday. Rip Gunny.

R. Lee Ermey is such a great actor that the character he portrays in the film sticks into the interviewer's perception of him in real life!

I love this guy. He both made me want to join the Marines and at the same time, run for my life.

His acting was incredible in this movie. It is one of my favorite movies of all time. I still do not understand how he didn't win an oscar for this role.

What a gentleman, and an intelligent man. RIP Gunny. He should have been in more movies.

This guy was special. Very easy to understand. A truer great guy would be hard to find.

He is such an amazing actor and should have been at least nominated for an Academy Award. You can see the real person here, and he is so insightful and intelligent. Its amazing how young he looks here, and that he is no longer with us. And Valarie looks smashing as ever back then, though fortunately she IS still with us. Vincent D'Onofrio recently said that even though it was one of if not his actual first movie(s), he recognized that Ermey was "green". That wasn't a slight at Ermey's acting abilities at all, but just that he had not gone through the actual acting process in front of the camera.

The woman doesnt understand she is talking to r lee ermey, the greatest gunnery sergeant of all time in the united states marine corps

Thanks Gunny!

I went to Boot camp in 1989 and then 4 years in the Infantry- 2/7. Sometimes I think back deep about those days and it is still so vivid. I see the events so clearly it instantly takes me back for a moment. Then I snap back and say. "what the F was I thinking", and have a little smile. Great experience for a naïve kid from Nebraska. Those experiences made me relentlessly unstoppable for the rest of my life which has been the source of much of my success in life. Young people, especially young men need to experience real difficulty and build resilience. An easy life cheats one of their greatest potential.

All his roles where great. we all love you R. Lee. He will always be remembered and appreciated.