Hollywood stuntman Bob Yerkes passed away on October 1st at the age of 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 famous stars, including Paul Newman, Robert Duvall, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Yerkes has been a talent in the entertainment industry for 70 years. His death was confirmed by fellow stunt performer Darlene Eva Williams, who shared the news. social media Thursday. Yerkes’ cause of death had not been released as of early Friday morning.
“I am so sad to hear that my mentor and stunt coach Bob Yerkes passed away this morning in Northridge, California,” Williams wrote on Facebook on Oct. 1.
“Bobby opened the doors to his home and backyard to those who needed a place to stay or training for a job,” she said.
“Bobby knew my parents before I was born, and he knew me as a kid growing up in the circus. Once, long before I did, my dad and Bob were in the circus trapeze act. We used to perform together. As a kid, I remember visiting his backyard and watching him train celebrities and stuntmen.”
Williams went on to explain that Yerkes opened the door for her to explore a career as a stuntwoman, and she credits him with guiding her through her career as a stuntwoman.
HOLLYWOOD, CA – OCTOBER 15: Stuntman Bob Yerkes attends 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 grateful to be able to celebrate Bob Yerkes’ induction into the Circus Ring of Fame as Coach of the Year this year,” she wrote in a lengthy eulogy.
“I am so proud and honored to have known him. He was a true legend!” she said.
Yerkes served as Christopher Lloyd’s stunt double for the iconic scene in which he falls from a clock tower cable in the 1985 hit movie 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 . new york post.
Yerkes also taught his skills to many big names in the industry, including Brooke Shields and Todd Bridges.
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – SEPTEMBER 14: Stuntman Bob Yerkes supports the Taurus World Stunt Awards Foundation held at the Hilton Universal City on September 14, 2013 in Universal City, California. Attending the Stuntman Film Association 52nd Annual Awards Dinner. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
He also played Schwarzenegger in Commando and Eli Wallach in Tough Guys. His other credits include “Angels and Demons,” “Adaptations,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Psycho III,” “Ghostbusters” and “Poltergeist.”
An accomplished trapeze artist and tightrope walker, he suffered a series of painful injuries during his career, including breaking both legs while filming the 1975 film Breakout. He also broke his leg while filming Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Her Girlfriend. alibi. ” (Related: Chris Pratt’s stuntman Tony McFarr dies suddenly at age 47)
He is survived by his son Mark, who is also a stuntman.
