In 1972 , director George Roy Hill , impressed by Durning 's performance in the Tony Award - and Pulitzer Prize-winning play `` That Championship Season '' , offered him a role in `` The Sting '' ( 1973 ) .
In 1972 , director George Roy Hill , impressed by his performance in the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play `` That Championship Season '' , offered Durning a role in `` The Sting '' ( 1973 ) .