Charles Durning won bravery awards as a soldier during World War II

The 84-year-old, who has appeared in movies including To Be or Not To Be and The Sting, has been nominated for two Oscars and eight Emmy Awards.

SAG president Alan Rosenberg said Durning "epitomised the art and grace of acting and brought something special to every role".

The 14th annual SAG Awards will be held in Los Angeles on 27 January.

"He is, above all things, a great actor with the talent to which we all aspire - the power to create indelible characters," Mr Rosenberg said.

Military career

Before the star embarked on a serious acting career, he worked as an elevator operator, cab driver, bartender, night watchman, boxer and construction worker.

He was also one of the first few soldiers to land on Omaha Beach when the D-Day Normandy landing took place during World War II.

The actor was later stabbed eight times with a bayonet by a young German soldier before being taken prisoner during the Battle of the Bulge.

He survived the infamous attack on US prisoners of war at Malmedy, Belgium, and was the only person to survive a German machine gun attack.

He was honoured with three Purple Hearts and a Silver Star for his bravery.