Brayton Walter Yerkes (February 11, 1932 – October 1, 2024), known professionally as Bob Yerkes, was an American stuntman.[1][2][3]
Bob Yerkes | |
|---|---|
| Born | Brayton Walter Yerkes February 11, 1932 Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Died | October 1, 2024 (aged 92) Northridge, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Stuntman |
| Spouse |
Dorothy Morales
(m. 1953, divorced) |
| Children | 1 |
Career
editBorn in Santa Monica, California, on February 11, 1932,[4] Yerkes began a life of acrobatics in the circus at the age of 15.[5] He began his career in film stunts in 1948, and went on to work as a stuntman in such films as Back to the Future, Return of the Jedi, and Hook.[4] Yerkes later hosted stunt training days, on an invitation-only basis at his home in the Northridge section of Los Angeles, which had a backyard that contained extensive rigging for stunt work.[5] He continued to amass film credits until 2017.[5]
Personal life and death
editYerkes was a Christian, having joined the religion in his youth.[4]
In 1953, Yerkes married Dorothy Morales, a fellow circus performer. They had a son and divorced in the 1970s.[4] Bob Yerkes died from complications of pneumonia at a hospital in Northridge, on October 1, 2024. He was 92.[4][5]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Julia Misbehaves | Stunts |
| 1954 | The Silver Chalice | Stunts, actor |
| 1956 | Trapeze | Stunts |
| 1959 | The Big Circus | Actor (uncredited), technical advisor |
| 1970 | Airport | Stunts |
| 1974 | Airport 1975 | Stunts |
| 1974 | Earthquake | Stunts |
| 1974 | The Towering Inferno | Stunts |
| 1975 | Breakout | Stunts |
| 1983 | Return of the Jedi | Stunts |
| 1984 | Ghostbusters | Stunts |
| 1985 | Back to the Future | Stunts |
| 1986 | Ferris Bueller's Day Off | Stunts |
| 1988 | Who Framed Roger Rabbit | Stunts |
| 1989 | Honey, I Shrunk the Kids | Stunts |
| 1990 | Back to the Future Part III | Stunts |
| 1991 | Hook | Stunts |
| 1993 | Robin Hood: Men in Tights | Stunts |
| 1995 | Batman Forever | Technical advisor |
| 1999 | Magnolia | Stunts |
| 2002 | Adaptation | Actor (Charles Darwin) |
| 2006 | Poseidon | Stunts |
| 2009 | Angels & Demons | Actor (Cardinal Guidera) |
| 2009 | The Butterfly Circus | Actor [Poppy] |
| 2009 | Up in the Air (short film) | Executive producer |
References
edit- ^ "He falls for scripture". Los Angeles Times. February 19, 1977. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012.
- ^ "But the elephant missed it". Los Angeles Times. August 10, 1977. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012.
- ^ "Stuntman Bob Yerkes talks about his dangerous profession". Chicago Tribune. January 6, 1985. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Rosenwald, Michael S. "Bob Yerkes, Bruised but Durable Hollywood Stuntman, Dies at 92". The New York Times. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Barnes, Mike (October 3, 2024). "Bob Yerkes, Circus Trainer and 'Back to the Future,' 'Remo Williams' Stuntman, Dies at 92". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
External links
edit- Bob Yerkes at IMDb