Full Metal Jacket star R Lee Ermey dead: Watch his INTIMIDATING drill sergeant performance

The late actor died aged 74 after complications of pneumonia and is best known for his Full Metal Jacket role.

A real-life Vietnam War drill sergeant, Ermey impressed director Kubrick so much in auditions he said he “was a genius for this part.”

In the film’s opening scene Hartman enters the new recruits barracks to introduce himself, intimidating them.

Circling the room he barks his head off in a impressive continuous rant assigning nicknames to Privates Snowball, Joker, Cowboy and Gomer Pyle.

Hartman doesn’t hold back, punching Private Joker in the stomach for speaking out of turn and making Gomer Pyle choke himself with the sergeant’s hand.

Ermey was originally hired to be just a technical advisor on Full Metal Jacket, but after being awarded the role, he gave himself fully to it.

While rehearsing the actor would have a production assistant throw tennis balls and oranges at him, having to catch them and throw them back as soon as possible while saying his dialogue as quickly as he could.

If he made a mistake he would start all over again until 20 runs of lines –without any errors – were accomplished.

Following Full Metal Jacket’s success Ermey earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

He also appeared in a host of films, including Leaving Las Vegas, Se7en, Dead Man Walking and Saving Silverman.

Following his death at the weekend, a statement was released by his longtime manger, Bill Rogin.

His manager stated: ““It is with deep sadness that I regret to inform you all that R. Lee Ermey (The Gunny) passed away this morning from complications of pneumonia.

“He will be greatly missed by all of us. It is a terrible loss that nobody was prepared for.

“He has meant so much to so many people and it is extremely difficult to truly quantify all of the great things this man has selflessly done for and on behalf of, our many men and women in uniform.

“He has also contributed many iconic and indelible characters on film that will live on forever.”