Michael M. Vendrell obit

Michael Maurice “Mike” Vendrell

 

He was not on the list.

Michael Vendrell was born Nov. 18, 1953, in Los Angeles, California. He became a martial arts master, healer, teacher and Hollywood stuntman and stunt coordinator.

Michael moved to Fullerton, California when he was two. He attended Richman Elementary School, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Nicholas Junior High School and Fullerton Union High School. At FUHS he was involved in the Drama Department and participated in many plays. He also was on the track team and was one of the first male students that signed up to take a dance class. The highlight of Mike’s high school days was being elected by the student body to be their mascot, Willie Ugh. He was elected both in his junior and senior year.

After graduating from FUHS, Mike set a personal goal of becoming a stuntman. He enlisted the help of a family friend, who worked at movie studio, and became a driver at the studio. He met many influential people while driving, two of the most helpful were Buddy Ebsen (Barnaby Jones) and David Carradine (Kwai Chang Caine).

Michael spent over 30 years as a martial artist and 28 years as a stuntman and stunt coordinator in motion pictures and television. During that time, Michael taught Yee Chuan Kung Fu and trained the likes of David Carradine, Pat Morita, Brandon Lee, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Miguel José Ferrer and many others.

In his book, The Spirit of Shaolin, David Carradine wrote about the first time he met and worked with Michael Vendrell on Fast Charlie, the Moonbeam Rider (1977). At this time Mike was still working as a driver.

David Carradine wrote; “Throughout the movie I studied with Mike informally. His coaching was almost always in sparring. He would match his style with mine, work at my level of proficiency, then gradually lift me to higher levels, changing styles rapidly and talking all the while –coaxing, teasing, threatening, praising, probing, story telling, philosophizing.”

“Steve Carver, the director (Fast Charlie, Moonbeam Rider), turned out to be a real guy. He liked Mike and gave him his shot. Mike’s first stunt was crashing a motorcycle into a hay bale. Never having been on a bike, the crashing part was easy for him; coming out of it in one piece was the hard part. He made it through and made it into the movie, Silent Flute. Mike got his stunt card on that picture and then proved himself useful in other ways.”

“He has healing hands and is adept at joint manipulation, reflexology, massage and other curative therapies, such as a passive skeletal alignment similar to the “Alexander technique”, and a “gong” therapy in which differently pitched massive bronze bells are placed around the subject’s body and struck alternately in patterns and cycles designed to clear blockage and align the chi. The amazing thing about all this is that it works. If this is hard to believe, you’ve got Mike exactly; hard to believe!”

Michael used his abilities in the Chinese healing arts. True masters can do both, using chi to hurt and to heal. Yee Chuan only “hurts” when someone attacks and there are only defensive moves in the non-violent art. Mike offered therapy in Chi Gung, Shiatsu and Gong healing, which is a unique form of healing that utilizes sound vibration. He treated injury and disease, and used his healing abilities for the general health and well-being of others.

Sifu Mike used his Yee Chuan Kung Fu abilities in the movies, but he did not consider the art a sport, but an effective real world self-defense system. Michael Vendrell believed that love is more important than violence, and that martial arts should be taught with more cooperation than competition. He believed that peace and harmony are the ultimate goals of a martial art, not aggression. Michael Vendrell studied a variety of martial arts, so he could be well-versed in all forms of hand-to-hand combat, and achieved the level of Teacher in over 20 systems. This included Judo, which he studied for six years with the famous Judo Gene LeBell. Even though he achieved black belt in many systems, Sifu Mike didn’t like to refer to “black belts” or other belt levels. He believed that there are no levels in any true art. For Kung Fu, there is only “student” and “teacher.” After having studied all those other systems, Michael still believed that Yee Chuan Tao Kung Fu is the most effective of them all.

Michael M. Vendrell is best known for his work on Barnaby Jones (1977-1980), The Rock (1996), Bad Boys (1995), Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993-1994) and Lost (2004).

Mike brought a lot of laughter, knowledge and thrills to many people’s lives. As a child, he always wanted to be like Peter Pan and never grow up. Those of us who knew him, knows that he realized this life goal. Michael “Sifu Mike” Maurice Vendrell, 59, of Kailua-Kona died Feb. 17, 2013, at his home. Mike died peacefully in his sleep, most likely dreaming of his next adventure.

He is survived by mother, Maureen Vendrell; wife, Stephanie Vendrell; daughters, Jamie (Eric Lammerman) Vendrell, Heather (Jonathan) Arthur; sisters, Nancy Vendrell of Kula, Maui, Susan (Donald) Wilbur; one grandson; nieces and nephews.

Stunts

The River (2012)

The River

6.8

TV Series

stunt coordinator (as Michael Vendrell)

2012

7 episodes

 

Kareena Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan in Ra.One (2011)

Ra.One

4.8

action coordinator

2011

 

John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell in Step Brothers (2008)

Step Brothers

6.9

stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

2008

 

Ken Leung in Lost (2004)

Lost

8.3

TV Series

stunt coordinator

2004–2006

49 episodes

 

David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, and Glenn Quinn in Angel (1999)

Angel

7.9

TV Series

fight coordinator

stunt coordinator

1999–2003

37 episodes

 

Will Patton, Gil Bellows, Gloria Reuben, and Paige Turco in The Agency (2001)

The Agency

7.3

TV Series

stunt coordinator

2001

5 episodes

 

Blair Underwood in City of Angels (2000)

City of Angels

6.7

TV Series

stunt coordinator

2000

24 episodes

 

Dennis Hopper, Michael Madsen, Eric Roberts, William Forsythe, Ice-T, and James Marshall in Luck of the Draw (2000)

Luck of the Draw

5.0

stunts

2000

 

Snoop Dogg, Master P, and Silkk the Shocker in Hot Boyz (2000)

Hot Boyz

4.2

Video

stunts

2000

 

Storm Catcher (1999)

Storm Catcher

4.1

stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

1999

 

Pam Grier, Gary Busey, Master P, and Gary Daniels in No Tomorrow (1999)

No Tomorrow

3.9

stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

1999

 

Vincent Kartheiser and Natasha Gregson Wagner in Another Day in Paradise (1998)

Another Day in Paradise

6.5

stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

1998

 

Vampires (1998)

Vampires

6.1

stunts

1998

 

Nathan Lane and Lee Evans in Mousehunt (1997)

Mousehunt

6.5

stunts

1997

 

Duane Davis, Brixton Karnes, Christine Steel, Kathy Trageser, and Nick Wechsler in Team Knight Rider (1997)

Team Knight Rider

4.5

TV Series

stunts (as Mike Vendrell)

1997–1998

 

John Cleese, Brendan Fraser, Scooper, Binx, Tookie, Zakery, Emely, and Hopper in George of the Jungle (1997)

George of the Jungle

5.5

stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

1997

 

Rene Russo, Lynn Robertson Bruce, Peter Elliott, Hector C. Gika, Gary A. Hecker, Peter Hurst, Mark Sealey, Michelan Sisti, Leif Tilden, Robert Tygner, Frank Welker, and Mak Wilson in Buddy (1997)

Buddy

4.8

utility stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

1997

 

Moloney (1996)

Moloney

7.1

TV Series

stunt coordinator

1996–1997

19 episodes

 

Robin Williams and Billy Crystal in Fathers' Day (1997)

Fathers' Day

5.3

utility stunts (uncredited)

1997

 

Kathleen Quinlan and Kurt Russell in Breakdown (1997)

Breakdown

7.0

stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

1997

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad in Jingle All the Way (1996)

Jingle All the Way

5.7

stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

1996

 

Pure Danger (1996)

Pure Danger

4.5

Video

stunts

1996

 

Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery, and Ed Harris in The Rock (1996)

The Rock

7.4

stunt double: Mr. Connery (as Michael Vendrell)

1996

 

C. Thomas Howell and Kristen Dalton in The Sweeper (1996)

The Sweeper

5.1

Video

stunts

1996

 

Matt Frewer in Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace (1995)

Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace

2.6

stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

1995

 

Gary Daniels in Rage (1995)

Rage

5.7

stunts

1995

 

Jeff Wincott in Last Man Standing (1995)

Last Man Standing

5.6

Video

stunts

1995

 

Timemaster (1995)

Timemaster

3.5

stunt player

1995

 

Will Smith, Téa Leoni, and Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys (1995)

Bad Boys

6.8

stunts (as Mike Vendrell)

1995

 

Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993)

Kung Fu: The Legend Continues

6.5

TV Series

stunt coordinator

stunt double

1993–1994

44 episodes

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger in True Lies (1994)

True Lies

7.3

stunt performer (uncredited)

1994

 

The Harvest (1993)

The Harvest

5.5

stunt coordinator (as Mike Vendrell)

1993

 

Hoffa (1992)

Hoffa

6.6

stunts

1992

 

Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme in Universal Soldier (1992)

Universal Soldier

6.1

stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

1992

 

Cruel Doubt (1992)

Cruel Doubt

5.3

TV Mini Series

stunt coordinator (as Mike Vendrell)

1992

2 episodes

 

Fran Drescher, Dennis Farina, and Leo Rossi in We're Talkin' Serious Money (1992)

We're Talkin' Serious Money

5.3

stunts (as Mike Vendrell)

1992

 

Christian Bale, Marty Belafsky, Max Casella, Aaron Lohr, Dominic Maldonado, David Moscow, and Trey Parker in Newsies (1992)

Newsies

6.9

stunt coordinator

stunts (as Michael W. Vendrell, uncredited)

1992

 

Ken Wahl in The Taking of Beverly Hills (1991)

The Taking of Beverly Hills

5.1

stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

1991

 

Adventures in Dinosaur City (1991)

Adventures in Dinosaur City

4.7

stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

1991

 

Jean-Claude Van Damme in Death Warrant (1990)

Death Warrant

5.7

stunt player (as Mike Vendrell)

1990

 

Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr. in Air America (1990)

Air America

5.8

stunts (as Mike Vendrell)

1990

 

Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson in Ghostbusters II (1989)

Ghostbusters II

6.6

stunts (as Mike Vendrell)

1989

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito in Twins (1988)

Twins

6.2

stunts

1988

 

Jeff Imada and Roddy Piper in They Live (1988)

They Live

7.2

stunts

1988

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Belushi in Red Heat (1988)

Red Heat

6.1

stunt performer

1988

 

Robert Duvall and Sean Penn in Colors (1988)

Colors

6.7

stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

1988

 

Aloha Summer (1988)

Aloha Summer

5.7

stunts

1988

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)

The Running Man

6.6

fight choreographer (uncredited)

1987

 

Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman in Beauty and the Beast (1987)

Beauty and the Beast

7.0

TV Series

stunts

1987–1990

 

Omega Syndrome (1986)

Omega Syndrome

4.3

stunts (as Mike Vendrell)

1986

 

Pat Ast and Wendy O. Williams in Reform School Girls (1986)

Reform School Girls

5.4

stunts (as Mike Vendrell)

1986

 

Kung Fu: The Movie (1986)

Kung Fu: The Movie

6.1

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1986

 

Fred Ward in Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985)

Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins

6.4

stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

1985

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando (1985)

Commando

6.7

fight coordinator

stunts (uncredited)

1985

 

Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985)

Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment

5.8

stunt double (uncredited)

1985

 

Michael Keaton and Joe Piscopo in Johnny Dangerously (1984)

Johnny Dangerously

6.5

stunt performer

1984

 

Angela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote (1984)

Murder, She Wrote

7.2

TV Series

stunts

1984–1996

 

Lucinda Dickey in Ninja III: The Domination (1984)

Ninja III: The Domination

5.4

stunt player (as Mike Vendrell)

1984

 

Jamie Lee Curtis, Patrick Swayze, and C. Thomas Howell in Grandview, U.S.A. (1984)

Grandview, U.S.A.

5.5

stunt driver

1984

 

Lee Van Cleef, Shô Kosugi, and Timothy Van Patten in The Master (1984)

The Master

4.4

TV Series

stunts

1984

 

Splash (1983)

Splash

6.3

stunts (uncredited)

1983

 

Bruce Boxleitner and Kate Jackson in Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983)

Scarecrow and Mrs. King

7.0

TV Series

stunts

1983–1987

 

Under Fire (1983)

Under Fire

7.0

stunts (as Mike Vendrell)

1983

 

Blue Thunder (1983)

Blue Thunder

6.4

stunts (uncredited)

1983

 

Heart Like a Wheel (1983)

Heart Like a Wheel

6.7

stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

1983

 

Love Is Forever (1983)

Love Is Forever

4.8

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1983

 

Lee Horsley in Matt Houston (1982)

Matt Houston

6.5

TV Series

stunts

1982–1985

 

David Hasselhoff in Knight Rider (1982)

Knight Rider

6.9

TV Series

stunts

1982–1986

 

Johnny Yune in They Call Me Bruce (1982)

They Call Me Bruce

5.6

stunt ramrod

1982

 

Sean Penn in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

7.1

stunts

1982

 

The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)

The Sword and the Sorcerer

5.5

stunts (as Michael Vendrell)

1982

 

T.J. Hooker (1982)

T.J. Hooker

6.1

TV Series

stunts

1982–1986

 

Goliath Awaits (1981)

Goliath Awaits

6.6

TV Mini Series

stunts (uncredited)

1981

 

Bustin' Loose (1981)

Bustin' Loose

6.0

stunts (as Mike Vendrell)

1981

 

Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen (1981)

Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen

4.0

stunts (as Mike Vendrell)

1981

 

Don Adams in The Nude Bomb (1980)

The Nude Bomb

5.1

stunt performer

1980

 

Buddy Ebsen in Barnaby Jones (1973)

Barnaby Jones

6.9

TV Series

stunt coordinator (uncredited)

1977–1980

68 episodes

 

Foxes (1980)

Foxes

6.1

stunt performer

1980

 

Gil Gerard and Erin Gray in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979)

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

6.9

TV Series

stunt double: Gil Gerard (uncredited)

1979

1 episode

 

Claude Akins, Brian Kerwin, and Mills Watson in The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1979)

The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo

6.5

TV Series

stunts

1979–1981

 

Hart to Hart (1979)

Hart to Hart

6.7

TV Series

stunts

1979–1984

 

Fast Charlie... the Moonbeam Rider (1979)

Fast Charlie... the Moonbeam Rider

5.5

stunts (as Michael V. Vendrell)

1979

 

Samurai (1979)

Samurai

6.6

TV Movie

stunts (uncredited)

1979

 

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979)

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

6.5

stunts (uncredited)

1979

 

Nicholas Hammond in Spider-Man Strikes Back (1978)

Spider-Man Strikes Back

5.0

TV Movie

stunt double (uncredited)

1978

 

Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley, and KISS in Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park (1978)

Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park

4.6

TV Movie

stunts (uncredited)

1978

 

Greg Evigan in B.J. and the Bear (1978)

B.J. and the Bear

6.4

TV Series

stunts

1978–1981

 

Noah Hathaway, Lorne Greene, Dirk Benedict, Richard Hatch, and Laurette Spang in Battlestar Galactica (1978)

Battlestar Galactica

7.2

TV Series

stunts

1978–1979

 

Deathsport (1978)

Deathsport

4.0

stunt performer (uncredited)

1978

 

Buster Crabbe in Buck Rogers (1939)

Buck Rogers

6.0

fight coordinator

stunt double

1977

 

Actor

Ken Leung in Lost (2004)

Lost

8.3

TV Series

Big Guy

Trucker (as Michael Vendrell)

2005–2006

2 episodes

 

City Guys (1997)

City Guys

7.1

TV Series

Guy #2 (as Michael Vendrell)

2000

1 episode

 

David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, and Glenn Quinn in Angel (1999)

Angel

7.9

TV Series

Suit #2 (as Mike Vendrell)

2000

1 episode

 

Hourglass (1995)

Hourglass

3.4

Video

Policeman

1995

 

The Harvest (1993)

The Harvest

5.5

Vent

1993

 

Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993)

Kung Fu: The Legend Continues

6.5

TV Series

Leo (uncredited)

1993

1 episode

 

Tagteam (1991)

Tagteam

5.8

TV Movie

Barney

1991

 

Twin Peaks (1990)

Twin Peaks

8.8

TV Series

Outside Bodyguard (as Mike Vendrell)

1990

1 episode

 

Brotherhood of the Rose (1989)

Brotherhood of the Rose

6.7

TV Mini Series

(as Michael Vendrell)

1989

2 episodes

 

Bruce Boxleitner and Kate Jackson in Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983)

Scarecrow and Mrs. King

7.0

TV Series

Lt. Mauntel (as Mike Vendrell)

1985

1 episode

 

Fandango (1985)

Fandango

6.7

Helicopter Policeman

1985

 

Lee Horsley in Matt Houston (1982)

Matt Houston

6.5

TV Series

Brother Riggs

1984

1 episode

 

Lee Van Cleef, Shô Kosugi, and Timothy Van Patten in The Master (1984)

The Master

4.4

TV Series

Matteson

1984

1 episode

 

Goliath Awaits (1981)

Goliath Awaits

6.6

TV Mini Series

Robbie Cole (uncredited)

1981

2 episodes

 

Buddy Ebsen in Barnaby Jones (1973)

Barnaby Jones

6.9

TV Series

Lars Jensen (as Michael Vendrell)

1979

2 episodes

 

John Colicos in The Paradise Connection (1979)

The Paradise Connection

8.4

TV Movie

Max

1979

 

Circle of Iron (1978)

Circle of Iron

5.7

Martial Artist (as Michael Vendrell)

1978

 

Additional Crew

Brotherhood of the Rose (1989)

Brotherhood of the Rose

6.7

TV Mini Series

fight choreographer: martial arts (as Michael Vendrell)

1989

2 episodes

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando (1985)

Commando

6.7

martial arts specialist

1985