Roy Scammell obit

Roy Scammell, Alien Stuntman and Suit Performer, Dies Age 88

 

He was not on the list.

It is with great sadness that I am here to report that Roy Scammell, the stuntman best known for his work in the James Bond franchise but also one of only three performers to wear H.R Giger’s iconic Alien suit in the original Alien, has passed away. According to the Milton Keynes Citizen, Roy passed away at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital following an undisclosed short illness during the weekend.

His daughter, Karen Best, announced her father’s death. Speaking of Roy, Karen said:

    “I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of my remarkable father. He was always such a role-model – and taught me that fear is just a word in the dictionary. He enjoyed the buzz of fear, the challenge it posed and he derived great satisfaction and kudos from his extraordinary performances. He always executed meticulous planning, leaving nothing to chance.

    His incredible story will continue to inspire us all to face our fears, but especially the new arrivals in our family – his two great grandsons, Spencer and Archer, who are both already showing that Scammell action man attitude to life.”

Alongside Badejo Balaji and Eddie Powell, Roy was one of three performers inside the Alien suit for Sir Ridley Scott’s original. All three have now passed away. Roy was responsible for filming the stunt work in which the Alien was ejected from the Narcissus during the climax of the film.

Roy was a regular at conventions in the United Kingdom and I once had the pleasure of meeting the man. He was an absolute gentleman. The thoughts of the Alien vs. Predator Galaxy staff and community go out to Roy’s family and friends. Rest in Peace, Roy.

Stunts (48 credits)

 2015 Seize the Night (Short) (fight coordinator)

 2010 Tell Him Next Year (Short) (stunt coordinator)

 1999 Do Not Disturb (stunts)

 1995 GoldenEye (stunts - uncredited)

 1992 Eve Strikes Back (TV Series documentary) (stunt coordinator)

 1990 Nuns on the Run (stunts)

 1989 Storyboard (TV Series) (stunt arranger - 1 episode)

- Making News (1989) ... (stunt arranger - as Roy Scammel)

 1988 Willow (stunts)

  Doctor Who (TV Series) (Liz Shaw - 2 episodes, 1970) (stunt double - 2 episodes, 1970) (stunt arranger - 1 episode, 1987) (stunts - 1 episode, 1971)

- Delta and the Bannermen: Part One (1987) ... (stunt arranger)

- Terror of the Autons: Episode One (1971) ... (stunts - uncredited)

- The Ambassadors Of Death Episode 4 (1970) ... (Liz Shaw - uncredited) / (stunt double: Liz Shaw - uncredited)

- The Ambassadors Of Death Episode 3 (1970) ... (Liz Shaw - uncredited) / (stunt double: Liz Shaw - uncredited)

 1987 The New Statesman (TV Series) (stunt arranger - 2 episodes)

- Three Line Whipping (1987) ... (stunt arranger)

- Happiness Is a Warm Gun (1987) ... (stunt arranger)

 1984 Sheena (stunt coordinator - as Roy Scammel)

 1984 Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (stunt arranger)

 1982 The Professionals (TV Series) (stunts - 1 episode)

- Spy Probe (1982) ... (stunts)

 1981-1982 Into the Labyrinth (TV Series) (fight arranger - 5 episodes)

- Excalibur (1982) ... (fight arranger)

- Lazlo (1982) ... (fight arranger)

- Siege (1981) ... (fight arranger)

- Shadrach (1981) ... (fight arranger)

- The Calling (1981) ... (fight arranger)

 1981 Venom (stunt coordinator - uncredited) / (stunts)

 1981 For Your Eyes Only (additional stunts - uncredited)

 1980 The Dogs of War (stunts)

 1980 Saturn 3 (stunt arranger)

 1979 Alien (stunt coordinator)

 1978 Kidnapped (TV Mini-Series) (stunt coordinator - 2 episodes)

- Captain Hoseason (1978) ... (stunt coordinator)

- Uncle Ebenezer (1978) ... (stunt coordinator)

 1977 The Spy Who Loved Me (stunts - uncredited)

 1976 Alien Attack (TV Movie) (stunts - uncredited)

  Softly Softly: Task Force (TV Series) (stunts - 1 episode, 1976) (fight arranger - 1 episode, 1972)

- The Climber (1976) ... (stunts)

- Conversion (1972) ... (fight arranger - as Roy Scammel)

 1975 Barry Lyndon (stunt arranger)

 1975 Rollerball (stunts)

 1975 Brannigan (stunts - uncredited)

 1975 The Sweeney (TV Series) (stunts - 1 episode)

- Golden Boy (1975) ... (stunts)

 1974 Colditz (TV Series) (fight arranger - 1 episode)

- Frogs in the Well (1974) ... (fight arranger)

 1973 Papillon (stunt double: Steve Mcqueen - uncredited)

 1973 Yellow Dog (stunts)

 1973 Horror Hospital (stunts - uncredited)

 1972 Double Take (stunt arranger)

  The Onedin Line (TV Series) (fight arranger - 4 episodes, 1972) (special action - 1 episode, 1972) (stunt fight arranger - 1 episode, 1971)

- Survivor (1972) ... (special action)

- A Woman Alone (1972) ... (fight arranger)

- Pound and Pint (1972) ... (fight arranger)

- The Hard Case (1972) ... (fight arranger)

- Cry of the Blackbird (1972) ... (fight arranger)

 1971 A Clockwork Orange (stunt arranger)

 1969 Public Eye (TV Series) (stunt man - 1 episode)

- Divide and Conquer (1969) ... (stunt man)

 1969 The Italian Job (stunts - uncredited)

 1969 Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies (stunt driving team)

 1967 Carry On... Follow That Camel (stunt double: Kenneth Williams - uncredited)

 1967 The Dirty Dozen (stunts - uncredited)

 1967 Casino Royale (stunt double: Deborah Kerr - uncredited)

 1966 Bang! Bang! You're Dead! (stunts - uncredited)

 1966 Cast a Giant Shadow (stunts - uncredited)

 1966 The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) (stunt double - 2 episodes)

- The Legend of Young Dick Turpin: Part 2 (1966) ... (stunt double: David Weston - uncredited)

- The Legend of Young Dick Turpin: Part 1 (1966) ... (stunt double: David Weston - uncredited)

 1963 From Russia with Love (train fight double - uncredited)

 1963 The Great Escape (stunt team - uncredited)

 1956 Trapeze (stunts - uncredited)

 1949 Maniacs on Wheels (stunt double: Dirk Bogarde - uncredited)

 1948 Vice Versa (stunts - uncredited)

Ultra Obscura (Short)

Kidnapper

 2007 News in Brief (Short)

Stanley Wyatt

 1982 The Chinese Detective (TV Series)

2nd German

- Chorale (1982) ... 2nd German

 1980 Flash Gordon

Hawkman

 1979 S.O.S. Titanic (TV Movie)

Titanic Gym Instructor Thomas McCawley (uncredited)

 1979 The World Is Full of Married Men

Jeff Spencer

 1977 Golden Rendezvous

Attacker

 1975-1977 Space: 1999 (TV Series)

Space Animal / Jim Nordstrom

- The Dorcons (1977) ... Space Animal (uncredited)

- The Bringers of Wonder: Part 1 (1977) ... Space Animal (uncredited)

- Breakaway (1975) ... Jim Nordstrom (uncredited)

 1977 Under the Bed

Milkman

 1976 Alien Attack (TV Movie)

Jim Nordstrom (uncredited)

 1976 The Pink Panther Strikes Again

Asylum Attendant (uncredited)

 1975 The Girl from Starship Venus

Ballet Dancer

 1974 The Best of Benny Hill

Member of 'Scuttle's Keep Fit Brigade'

 1973 O Lucky Man!

 1973 The Death Wheelers

Riding the Motor-cycles

 1972 Villains (TV Series)

Man

- Smudger (1972) ... Man (uncredited)

 1972 The Benny Hill Show (TV Series)

Member of Scuttle's Keep Fit Brigade

- Show 12 (1972) ... Member of Scuttle's Keep Fit Brigade

 1971 Paul Temple (TV Series)

Local Tough

- A Family Affair (1971) ... Local Tough

 1970-1971 Doctor Who (TV Series)

RSF Soldier / UNIT Soldier / UNIT Motorcyclist / ...

- The Mind of Evil: Episode Five (1971) ... UNIT Soldier (uncredited)

- The Mind of Evil: Episode Four (1971) ... UNIT Motorcyclist (uncredited)

- The Mind of Evil: Episode Three (1971) ... Prison Officer (uncredited)

- Terror of the Autons: Episode Four (1971) ... Radio Telescope technician (uncredited)

- Inferno Episode 6 (1970) ... RSF Soldier (uncredited)

 1970 Play for Today (TV Series)

Van Driver

- Angels Are So Few (1970) ... Van Driver (uncredited)

 1970 Monty Python's Flying Circus (TV Series)

1 / 3 of Human Pyramid

- It's a Living (1970) ... 1 / 3 of Human Pyramid (uncredited)

 1969 The Magic Christian

Bodybuilder (uncredited)

 1969 The Gladiators

B-5

 1968 The Champions (TV Series)

Guard / Guard fighting with Craig

- Project Zero (1968) ... Guard (uncredited)

- The Silent Enemy (1968) ... Guard fighting with Craig (uncredited)

 1966 Psycho-Circus

Man in Speedboat (as Roy Scammel)