Durning will be presented with the award — given annually to an actor who fosters the "finest ideals of the acting profession" — at the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. The awards ceremony will premiere live on TNT and TBS on Jan. 27, 2008, at 8 PM ET. In a statement Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg said, "Charles Durning is the perfect choice for the Life Achievement Award as Screen Actors Guild celebrates its 75th anniversary. Throughout his career, he has epitomized the art and grace of acting and brought something special to every role. He is above all things a great actor with the talent to which we all aspire: the power to create indelible characters."

Charles Durning has appeared on Broadway in Poor Bitos, Drat! The Cat!, Pousse-Café, The Happy Time, Indians, That Championship Season, Boom Boom Room, The au Pair Man, Knock Knock, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Tony Award), Inherit the Wind, The Gin Game and Gore Vidal's The Best Man. Durning's screen credits are numerous, including Academy Award nominations for his performances in "To Be or Not To Be" and "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas."

Last year's recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award was Academy Award winner Julie Andrews.

Established in 1933, the Screen Actors Guild is the nation's largest labor union representing working actors. For more information visit www.sag.org.