Alex Sharp | |
---|---|
Born |
Nebraska, U.S. | September 16, 1921
Died | March 6, 2008 | (aged 86)
Other names | Alex Sharpe |
Occupation(s) | Actor, stuntman, writer |
Years active | 1948–1993 |
Organization | Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures |
Height | 6 ft 4.5 in (194.3 cm) |
Alex Sharp, also known and credited as Alex Sharpe (September 16, 1921 [1] – March 6,[ citation needed] 2008 [2] [3]) was an American actor, stuntman, [4] and writer, perhaps best known for his work in television western shows such as Bonanza and Gunsmoke. [2] [3]
Sharp was born in Nebraska and was raised in Washington and Colorado, where he learned to break horses. He spent time with the U.S. Cavalry at Fort Riley, and became a bomber gunner in the South Pacific during World War II. [2]
One of his earliest jobs in 1950 was doubling for Scott Forbes on the film Rocky Mountain. He would again double for Forbes in The Adventures of Jim Bowie (1956-1958) [2]
Stunts in fight scenes were his specialty, and Sharp did at least a half-dozen with Michael Landon on Bonanza, with Sharp doubling for guest stars George Kennedy and Leif Erickson. [2]
At around 6'4" and 200 pounds, Sharp was a large enough actor to double for James Arness (6'7") on Gunsmoke for its 20-year run from 1955 to 1975. Sharp also doubled for Richard Coogan on The Californians (1957-1959). [2]
As a stuntman, Sharp was a member of the Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures, and an inductee into the Stunmen's Hall of Fame. [2]
As a writer, Sharp co-wrote (with Ed Erwin) the screenplay for the 1965 film Vengeance. [5] Sharp also wrote and contributed teleplays for shows, including Bonanza and The High Chaparral. [2]
In 1963, Sharp and fellow stuntman Bill Hickman witnessed a bank robber, Carl Follette, speed by them on the Ventura Freeway near the Laurel Canyon off-ramp. After Hickman saw the suspect shoot police Officer Alphonso Begue in the chest, he used his stunt driver skills to chase him down on Laurel Canyon Road until law enforcement officers could catch up. The car chase eventually ended in a North Hollywood parking lot where Follette was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire with the police. [6] [7] [8]
Sharp died at the age of 86 from stroke-related ailments. [2]
A partial filmography follows
Film credits for acting and stunts include: [2]
Television credits for acting and stunts include: [2]
Teleplay credits include: [2]
Screenplay credits include:
Alex Sharp | |
---|---|
Born |
Nebraska, U.S. | September 16, 1921
Died | March 6, 2008 | (aged 86)
Other names | Alex Sharpe |
Occupation(s) | Actor, stuntman, writer |
Years active | 1948–1993 |
Organization | Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures |
Height | 6 ft 4.5 in (194.3 cm) |
Alex Sharp, also known and credited as Alex Sharpe (September 16, 1921 [1] – March 6,[ citation needed] 2008 [2] [3]) was an American actor, stuntman, [4] and writer, perhaps best known for his work in television western shows such as Bonanza and Gunsmoke. [2] [3]
Sharp was born in Nebraska and was raised in Washington and Colorado, where he learned to break horses. He spent time with the U.S. Cavalry at Fort Riley, and became a bomber gunner in the South Pacific during World War II. [2]
One of his earliest jobs in 1950 was doubling for Scott Forbes on the film Rocky Mountain. He would again double for Forbes in The Adventures of Jim Bowie (1956-1958) [2]
Stunts in fight scenes were his specialty, and Sharp did at least a half-dozen with Michael Landon on Bonanza, with Sharp doubling for guest stars George Kennedy and Leif Erickson. [2]
At around 6'4" and 200 pounds, Sharp was a large enough actor to double for James Arness (6'7") on Gunsmoke for its 20-year run from 1955 to 1975. Sharp also doubled for Richard Coogan on The Californians (1957-1959). [2]
As a stuntman, Sharp was a member of the Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures, and an inductee into the Stunmen's Hall of Fame. [2]
As a writer, Sharp co-wrote (with Ed Erwin) the screenplay for the 1965 film Vengeance. [5] Sharp also wrote and contributed teleplays for shows, including Bonanza and The High Chaparral. [2]
In 1963, Sharp and fellow stuntman Bill Hickman witnessed a bank robber, Carl Follette, speed by them on the Ventura Freeway near the Laurel Canyon off-ramp. After Hickman saw the suspect shoot police Officer Alphonso Begue in the chest, he used his stunt driver skills to chase him down on Laurel Canyon Road until law enforcement officers could catch up. The car chase eventually ended in a North Hollywood parking lot where Follette was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire with the police. [6] [7] [8]
Sharp died at the age of 86 from stroke-related ailments. [2]
A partial filmography follows
Film credits for acting and stunts include: [2]
Television credits for acting and stunts include: [2]
Teleplay credits include: [2]
Screenplay credits include: