The legendary R. Lee Ermey (Full Metal Jacket) has signed a new multi-year deal with The History Channel; it was announced by Nancy Dubuc, Executive Vice President and General Manager, The History Channel.

Gunnery Sergeant Ermey -- who is also a highly successful film and television actor in addition to his military expertise -- will expand his presence on The History Channel. Dubuc stated, "R. Lee is one of those rare combinations of dynamic TV personality coupled with the credibility and expertise our audience comes to expect from our programming." As part of the deal, he will work with the network to develop a new series as well as specials that will air on The History Channel.

Ermey will also play a major role in the network's online sites history.com and military.history.com. "Military history is such a relevant brand for us given the times we live in today and R. Lee helps us express our commitment in this genre to audiences and our troops across all platforms," said Dubuc.

Mail Call first aired on The History Channel in August 2002 as a half-hour series and quickly acquired a devoted following. For the 8th season, which premiered on March 16, 2007 at 10pm ET/9pm CT, the hit series has expanded to an hour-long program. On Mail Call, the legendary R. Lee Ermey answers viewers' questions about the evolution of combat technology, submitted online at www.history.com/mailcall, through on-location demonstrations and short segments that provide historical context on each topic. Recent episodes have taken Gunny away from base camp, with more practical demonstrations shot on location in the field.

History.com, the definitive historical online resource, will complement Mail Call and the other programming hosted by R. Lee Ermey, with exciting footage, information and images. New website features will include a sound board glossary, in which the user clicks on a favorite "Gunny" word to get its definition -- and also hear him repeat the word.

The History Channel is one of the leading cable television networks featuring compelling original, non-fiction specials and series that bring history to life in a powerful and entertaining manner across multiple platforms. The network provides an inviting place where people experience history in new and exciting ways enabling them to connect their lives today to the great lives and events of the past that provide a blueprint for the future. The History Channel has earned four Peabody Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, 10 News & Documentary Emmy Awards and received the prestigious Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the network's Save Our History® campaign dedicated to historic preservation and history education. The History Channel reaches more than 91 million Nielsen subscribers.

A Golden Globe nominee and Boston Society of Film Critics Award Winner for Best Supporting Actor (Full Metal Jacket), R. Lee Ermey, with more than 25 years in the business, is one of the most successful and talented actors in film and television today. His numerous feature-film roles include: Switchback, starring opposite Dennis Quaid and Danny Glover, Dead Man Walking, Seven, Leaving Las Vegas, Murder in the First, Life, The Frighteners and Sommersby; and his critically acclaimed role opposite Jared Leto in Prefontaine. His many numerous voice-over roles range from The Simpsons to Toy Story.

Ermey served 11 years active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps. He rose to the rank of staff NCO, served two years as a drill instructor and a tour of duty in Viet Nam. Medically retired in 1971, he used his G.I. Bill benefits, and enrolled at the University of Manila in the Philippines where he studied drama. Francis Ford Coppola was filming Apocalypse Now in the area and cast Ermey in a featured role. He has since gone on to star or appear in approximately 60 films.

Mail Call launched on The History Channel in 2002 and is now in its 8th season.

Dont't forget to also check out: Mail Call