Hollywood stuntman Bob Yerkes, best known for his work in “Star Wars” and “Back to the Future,” has died at age 92.
Yerkes, whose silver screen career spanned over 70 years, was a stunt double for some of the biggest stars in the film industry, including Paul Newman, Robert Duval, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
His death was announced by fellow stunt performer Darlene Ava Williams, who shared the news on social media Thursday.
“I am horribly sad to hear that my mentor and stunt coach Bob Yerkes passed away this morning in Northridge, California,” she wrote 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.”
In “Back to the Future,” 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 cult favorite.
In “Star Wars,” the stuntman flew as intergalactic bounty hunter Boba Fett in the 1983 film “Return of the Jedi.” The stunt was filmed in his backyard.
“Bobby knew my parents before I was born and knew me as a kid growing up in the circus,” Williams continued in her tribute.
“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.”
She added that Yerkes would always consider her for stunt jobs whenever they popped up, even before she dedicated her career to being a stunt woman.
“I would not have had a career in stunts without Bob Yerkes,” she went on. “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.”
“I am so happy we got to also celebrate his 92nd birthday with him here in Sarasota,” she added. “There will never be another Bob Yerkes! My heart is broken. I am proud and honored to have known him. He was a true legend!”
Yerkes earned his stripes as one of Hollywood’s most successful stunt doubles during his glittering career.
He was a Hall of Fame inductee and received a lifetime achievement award from the World Acrobatic Society.
Originally a circus performer, Yerkes got his start in Hollywood in 1948 when he landed a stunt double role in the film “Julia Misbehaves.”
In addition to his work as a stunt double, Yerkes taught his skills to many celebrities in the industry, including Brooke Shields and Todd Bridges
Yerkes also doubled as Schwarzenegger in the 1985 film “Commando,” as well as and Eli Wallach in “Tough Guys” the following year.
Despite being a skilled trapeze aerialist and tightrope walker, Yerkes endured a series of painful injuries during 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.”
His other credits include “Angels and Demons,” “Adaptation,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Psycho III,” “Ghostbusters,” and “Poltergeist.”
Most recently, Yerkes appeared in “Killing Hasselhoff” in 2017 and “Water for Elephants” in 2011.
He leaves behind his son Mark, who is also a stuntman. Yerkes other son, Gerald, died while serving in the Vietnam war.
