The sad news broke today that retired Marine and actor R. Lee Ermey has passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.

Ermey’s manager broke the news, saying that the icon had passed away at age 74 from complications from pneumonia.

Statement from R. Lee Ermey's long time manager, Bill Rogin:

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.

Semper Fi, Gunny. Godspeed. pic.twitter.com/vf4O78JKmb

— R. Lee Ermey (@RLeeErmey) April 15, 2018

Everyone was quick to remember Ermey’s best moments from his acting career – most notably as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman from “Full Metal Jacket.” The story goes that Ermey was an advisor to the film’s director, Stanley Kubrick. And as a retired Marine and former drill instructor, Ermey knew exactly how a DI was supposed to sound. Kubrick decided to have Ermey play the role himself, and the rest is cinema history.

Thanks to his role in the movie, the Marines actually promoted Ermey after he had retired, so his rank now matched his nickname, in 2002. He is the only retiree the Marine Corps has ever promoted.

Ermey embraced his role, working on the History Channel’s shows “Mail Call” and “Lock ‘n Load,” and adding his voice to the “Toy Story” movie series as the Green Army Man character Sarge.

“Full Metal Jacket” earned Ermey a Golden Globe nomination, as well as a career playing authority figures — from Mayor Tilman in 1988’s “Mississippi Burning” to a toy soldier sergeant in the more family-friendly “Toy Story.”

An outspoken conservative, Ermey spoke to Fox News in 2016 about being “blackballed” from Hollywood over his political views.

“I’ve had a very fruitful career. I’ve done over 70 feature films,” he said. “I’ve done over 200 episodes of [Outdoor Channel series ‘GunnyTime’]… and then [Hollywood] found out that I’m a conservative.”

Actually, he corrected, “I’m an Independent, but I said something bad about the president. I had something unsavory to say about the president’s administration, and even though I did vote for him the first time around, I was blackballed.”

The memories are pouring in all over the internet right now.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhm8xWpAUWK/

RIP we will take it from here. Semper Fi.

— James Staley (@mkaws02) April 15, 2018

Hell always be with the Marines, when they clean their weapons, he'll be there, telling them its shit, when a marine get tired, he'll be there yelling for them to stand up

— WabbaDabba (@shawn_wabschall) April 15, 2018

He was the kindest with encouraging veterans and young soldiers. Love him!! pic.twitter.com/0FnodehNVF

— Tammy Cianciulli (@MrsCianciulli) April 15, 2018

Godspeed Marine. It was a pleasure to have met you and thank you for your creativity and contributions. pic.twitter.com/QrRZOmAd03

— Bryan William Jones (@BWJones) April 15, 2018

How was R. Lee Ermey not nominated for an Oscar for "Full Metal Jacket"? He was one of a kind. I got to know him a little bit through his friendship with @RoeConn and his many, many appearances with Roe on the radio. What a character. Rest in Peace. https://t.co/NAhI9vYoGw

— Richard Roeper (@RichardERoeper) April 15, 2018

R.I.P.

R. Lee Ermey, ‘The Gunny’ https://t.co/tOQjLHqN1R

— Adam Baldwin (@AdamBaldwin) April 15, 2018

https://twitter.com/MatthewModine/status/985661229099237376

pic.twitter.com/fiUa487HDO

— Ryan B. Leslie (@RyanBLeslie) April 15, 2018

Rest in peace, Gunny. You have earned it.