In 1968, when i got the call to work on bullitt from carey loftin, who at the time was probably the greatest car man and stunt coordinator in the business, i was working on another picture. Mcqueens stint as a stunt driver didnt last long, however. All five were loaned to cupid productions by chrysler for promotional consideration. His body of work spanned five decades and included classics such as the french connection, bullitt, vanishing point, and days of thunder. Arguably hollywoods greatest stunt driver ever, carey loftin s amazing driving and stunt skills were utilized in dozens of hollywood productions over a period of nearly half a century. William carey loftin was an american professional stuntman, stunt coordinator and actor in the. The legendary hollywood stunt doubles who make movies more. Carey loftin one of the best movie stunt drivers liked to drive. He is often considered to be hollywoods greatest stunt driver, and his talents were used in dozens of films.
Loftin was born in blountstown, florida, and began his career doing motorcycle stunts in stunt shows, and broke into film work in the late 1930s. Carey loftin, the greatest stunt driver ever as a truck driver in duel 1971. If you have performed three full seasons or more with an auto thrill show and would. The original series first season episode the city on the edge of forever loftin was born in blountstown, florida. Arguably hollywoods greatest stunt driver ever, carey loftins amazing driving and stunt skills were utilized in dozens of hollywood. You may not recognize the name, or if you do its vague and fuzzy from sitting in the back log of your memory bank, but you will most definitely recognize his portfolio. The most difficult was the night collision in which a police car sideswipes the stolen police car, leading to a chain reaction as another car hits the sideswiping car and several other cars rear. His stunt credits span six decades and over a hundred films and television shows. March 4, 1997 also credited as cary loftin was an american actor and stuntman. In a lengthy career spanning 61 years, his body of work included classic films. Duel the truck drivers identity revealed new theory.
William carey loftin january 31, 1914 march 4, 1997. He was one of the stunt drivers in the famed carchase scene in the 1968 steve mcqueen film bullitt. Carey loftin and his three bizzarrinis ferrarichat. Veteran stunt coordinator carey loftin designed the chase, plotting a course along a variety of city avenues and landmarks. He was one of the stunt drivers in the famed carchase scene in the 1968 steve mcqueen. Spielberg had seven trucks to choose from, all lined in a row, and he picked a 1955 peterbilt 281 tanker, the smallest of the trucks, which he believed they could make up to look. Carey loftin one of the best movie stunt drivers liked. As a stunt driver and stunt coordinator, loftin helped create some of the most exciting and famous chase sequences in movie history. Marz 1997 in huntington beach, kalifornien war ein usamerikanischer stuntman. Spielbergs first appearence as director and arguably one of his best. Carey loftin worked out logistics behind the scenes. One of his most famous roles was as the truck driver in steven spielberg s duel, although his face is never seen.
Arguably considered the greatest stunt driver in hollywood history, with its a mad, mad, mad, mad world 1963 and bullitt 1968 among his credits. As for acting and stunt roles, loftin is best remembered as the faceless driver in duel 1971. Arguably hollywoods greatest ever stunt driver, carey loftin s amazing driving and stunt skills were utilized in dozens of hollywood productions over a period of nearly fifty years. Carey loftin was the finest stunt driver in hollywood for many years. Carey loftin the mohammad ali of stunt drivers jesus. Mcqueen, at the time a worldclass race car driver, drove in the closeup scenes, while stunt coordinator carey loftin, stuntman and motorcycle racer bud ekins, and mcqueens usual stunt driver, loren janes, drove for the highspeed part of the chase and performed other dangerous stunts. He is considered to be one of the film industrys most accomplished stunt drivers. Although loftin performed many different types of stunt work, it is his driving abilities for which he is most remembered. You may not recognize the name, or if you do its vague and fuzzy from sitting in the back log of your memory bank, but. Loftin was born on january thirtyfirst, 1914 in blountstown, florida and broke into movie stunt work in the late 1930s. Carey loftin saturday, 31st january 1914 tuesday, 4th march 1997 blountstown fl usa. Many will remember the exciting street race sequence in the recent film, against all odds, which won loftin an academy award. Arguably hollywoods greatest ever stunt riderdriver, carey loftins amazing stunt skills were utilized in hundreds of hollywood productions over a period of 50 years. Stunt driver actor bill hickman piloted the charger.
Probably hollywoods greatest stunt driver ever, carey loftin s amazing driving and stunt skills were employed in a large number of hollywood productions more than an interval of nearly half of a century. Arguably hollywoods greatest stunt driver ever, carey loftins amazing. The second unit filming was completed first, in fall 1967 with principal photography following in 1968. Cn goes on location to talk to the star of the hollywood stunt drivers. A friend of mine, who used to hang out with carey loftin and max balchowsky, on occasion, shares information that i have never heard before. Loftin began his stunt career as a member of a traveling motorcycle stunt show in. Loftin, who drove the truck that terrorized dennis weaver in steven spielbergs 1971 tv movie classic duel, was born on jan. American motion picture actor and stuntman of the 1930s thru 1980s. The author of the short story that the film is based on, richard matheson, was inspired to write it after an encounter with a tailgating truck driver on november 22, 1963, which is the day that john f. Carey loftin was one of the best stunt drivers in the movie business. The acclaimed stunt driving in the drivein cult favorite vanishing point was also performed by loftin.
Legendary stuntman bill hickman was already cast as the driver of the dodge charger, and mcqueen ultimately shared the driver s seat with stuntmen bud ekins, loren janes, and carey loftin. News of new warning device that discourages moonlight borrowers together. Who were the stunt car drivers in its a mad,mad,mad, world. The craft certainly has its icons, but even legendary stuntmen like dar robinson, bill hickman, bobby bass, loren janes, hal needham, and carey loftin. Loftin was created on january 31st, 1914 in blountstown, florida and broke into film stunt. Newman has high praise for loftin, carey is the greatest stunt driver that ever lived. Loftin performed some of the exciting driving scenes for steve mcqueen in bullitt and was the truck driver in steven spielbergs duel. In memoriam of legendary stuntman buzz bundy 19302020. The driver of the car being chased is james bond and for the film diamonds are forever he must evade capture with the aid of a very special individual. And when talking about stunt drivers it would be hard not to mention carey loftin, the man behind many of the most memorable drives. Stunt driver bud ekins explained, i think it was the first time they did a complete car chase at normal camera speed. Arguably hollywoods greatest ever stunt driver, carey loftins amazing driving and stunt skills were utilized in dozens of hollywood productions over a period of nearly fifty years. Help us and contribute to preserve auto thrill show history is an official index of past and present elite auto hell drivers motorcycle daredevils stunt drivers for the 21st century we believe that we have listed over 99% of the stunt drivers, auto hell drivers and daredevil performers.
Thats legendary stunt driver bill hickman behind the wheel of the charger, and when mcqueen wasnt driving the mustang gt 390, it was expertly handled by stunt coordinator carey loftin. Four were equipped with a 440 cid v8 and a 4speed manual. Though we know stunt driver carey loftin of bullitt fame was behind the wheel, the truck driver is never seen in the film, giving it a hint of the supernatural. Carey loftin biography, movie highlights and photos. Every stunt he performed he got right on the first takes without getting a single scratch on the car. Carey loftin went onto fame too, as the never seen murderous truck driver in the cult classic, duel. James woods place at the wheel of the 308 is taken by carey loftin, only the most prolific and acclaimed stunt driver of all times, who strove to shoot the entire scene with as little trickery. Carey loftin has coordinated and performed stunts in numerous movies including on the beach, its a mad, mad, mad world and grand prix.
The first thing steve said was, he was going to do his own driving. The worlds most comprehensive film database search the catalog. The original series first season episode the city on the edge of forever. He overshot a turn, smoked the tires and everything. Carey loftin ever wonder what its like to crash into the movies the hard way. Cary loftin, carry loftin, carey lofton, gary loftin, william carey loftin was an american professional stuntman, stunt coordinator and actor in the u.
He was the main driver for steve mcqueen in bullitt. Carey loftins gloves warehouse wiki fandom powered. Carey loftin and william carey loftin was an american stuntman, stunt coordinator and actor. I was driving on lankershim ave, bout 40 years ago and i passed a bar and saw a green bizzarrini parked by the curb, i went inside and asked who the guy was with the bitz and was introduced to carey loftin, stunt man, who drove the mustang in bullitt,the challenger in vanishing point,etc. Although loftin performed many different types of stunt work, it is his driving. Carey loftin drove the truck that killed edith keeler in the star trek episode, the city on the edge of forever. The acclaimed stunt driving in the 1971 drivein cult favorite vanishing point was also performed by loftin. Vol 11 no 4 corvette news thunderbowl carey loftin 24 hour. Loftin died of natural causes on march 4, in huntington beach, californiaaged photos tab all photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Arguably hollywoods greatest ever stunt rider driver, carey loftin s amazing stunt skills were utilized in hundreds of hollywood productions over a period of 50 years. Carey loftin inducted to the motorcycle museums hall of fame 2001 exspeedway racer who found great success in movie stunt work in the 1930s and 40s. Two wheels are better than four donald frank bundy, or buzz as he was known to those who knew him in the business, born on 11th august 1930 was given the job of driving the ford mustang on. Carey loftin made a lifelong career of bringing the visions of some of the greatest film directors in history to life as a stunt driver.
Well, i wasnt going to argue, so i said, okay, fine. Stunt coordinator carey loftin imported the best stunt drivers he could find from hollywood to make sure the films car crashes could be filmed safely. Acting credits released film or short title featuring role. Forty expert drivers were gathered by acclaimed stunt driver carey loftin, who oversaw the racing scenes.
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