Hollywood stuntman Bob Yerkes died Oct 1. at age 92.
Yerkes is best known for his stunt work on “Star Wars” and “Back to the Future.” He performed stunts for some of Hollywood’s most prestigious stars, including Paul Newman, Robert Duvall and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Yerkes lent his talents to the entertainment industry for 70 years. His death was confirmed by fellow stunt performer Darlene Ava Williams, who shared the news on social media Thursday. Yerkes’ cause of death was not disclosed as of early Friday.
“I am horribly sad to hear that my mentor and stunt coach Bob Yerkes passed away this morning in Northridge, California,” Williams wrote Oct 1 on Facebook.
“Bobby opened the door to his home and backyard to everyone that either needed a place to stay or to train for a job,” she said.
“Bobby knew my parents before I was born and knew me as a kid growing up in the circus. At one time, long before me, my dad and Bob performed in a flying trapeze act together in the circus. As a kid I remember visiting his backyard. I remember watching him train celebrities and stunt people.”
Williams went on to explain that Yerkes opened the door for her to explore a career as a stuntwoman and credited him for guiding her through the industry.
HOLLYWOOD, CA – OCTOBER 15: Stuntman Bob Yerkes at a special screening of ‘DEALT’ at The Magic Castle on October 15, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matthew Simmons/Getty Images)
“I am so thankful that we got to celebrate Bob Yerkes induction into the Circus Ring of Fame this year for Coach of the Year,” she wrote in her lengthy tribute.
“I am proud and honored to have known him. He was a true legend!” she said.
Yerkes served as a stunt double for Christopher Lloyd in the iconic scene that saw him slide down a clock tower cable in the hit 1985 film, “Back to the Future.” He flew as intergalactic bounty hunter Boba Fett in the 1983 film “Star Trek: Return of the Jedi” and the stunt was filmed in his backyard, according to the New York Post.
Yerkes also taught his skills to many celebrities in the industry, including Brooke Shields and Todd Bridges.
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – SEPTEMBER 14: Stuntman Bob Yerkes attends the Stuntmen’s Association of Motion Pictures 52nd Annual Awards Dinner to benefit the Taurus World Stunt Awards Foundation at the Hilton Universal City on September 14, 2013 in Universal City, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
He doubled as Schwarzenegger in “Commando,” as well as Eli Wallach in “Tough Guys.” Some of his other credits include “Angels and Demons,” “Adaptations,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Psycho III,” “Ghostbusters” and “Poltergeist.”
The skilled trapeze aerialist and tightrope walker suffered a series of painful injuries over the course of his career, including breaking both legs during the filming of “Breakout” in 1975. He also broke his legs while filming “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” and “Her Alibi.” (RELATED: Chris Pratt’s Stunt Double Tony McFarr Dies Suddenly At Age 47)
He is survived by his son Mark, who is also a stuntman.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
