Bob Yerkes, the Hollywood stuntman known for his roles in “Star Wars'' and “Back to the Future,'' has died at the age of 92.
Archis' career on the silver screen spanned more than 70 years, serving as a stunt double for some of the film industry's biggest stars, including Paul Newman, Robert Duvall, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
His death was announced by fellow stunt performer Darlene Eva Williams, who shared the news on social media on Thursday.
“I was very sad to hear that my mentor and stunt coach Bob Yerkes passed away this morning in Northridge, California,” she said. wrote on Facebook.
“Bobby opened the door to his home and backyard to anyone who needed a place to stay or training for a job.”
In Back to the Future, Yerkes served as Christopher Lloyd's stunt double for the iconic scene in the 1985 cult classic in which the actor slides down a clock tower cable.
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 he knew me as a child growing up in the circus,” Williams continued in his eulogy.
“Once upon a time, long before me, my father and Bob used to do trapeze acts together in the circus.As a child, I remember visiting his backyard. I remember seeing them training celebrities and stuntmen.”
She added that even before she dedicated her career as a stuntwoman, Yerkes always considered her whenever a stunt job came up.
“If it wasn't for Bob Yerkes, I wouldn't have been able to build a career in stunts,” she continued. “We are so grateful to be able to celebrate Bob Yerkes’ induction into the Circus Ring of Fame with Coach of the Year this year.”
“We are so happy to be able to celebrate his 92nd birthday together here in Sarasota,” she added. “There will never be another Bob Yerkes! My heart is broken. I am so proud and honored to have known him. He was a true legend!”
During his illustrious career, Yerkes made a name for himself as one of Hollywood's most successful stuntmen.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Acrobatic Association.
Originally a circus performer, Yerkes began her Hollywood career in 1948 when she landed a stunt double role in the film “Julia's Misbehavior.”
In addition to his work as a stuntman, Yerkes taught his skills to many big names in the industry, including Brooke Shields and Todd Bridges.
Yerkes also played Schwarzenegger in the 1985 film Commando, and the following year as Eli Wallach in Tough Guy.
Despite being an accomplished trapeze artist and tightrope walker, Yerkes endured a number 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 Alibi.''
His other credits include “Angels and Demons,” “Adaptation,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Psycho III,” “Ghostbusters” and “Poltergeist.”
Most recently, Yerkes appeared in The Killings of Hasselhoff in 2017 and Water for Elephants in 2011.
He leaves behind a son, Mark, who is also a stuntman. Yerkes' other son, Gerald, died while serving in the Vietnam War.
