Bob Yerkes obit

Legendary Hollywood Stuntman Bob Yerkes Dies at 92

 

He was not on the list.

Legendary Hollywood stuntman Bob Yerkes died this week at the age of 92.

“Bob was more than a mighty man of God, he was a faithful friend,” Movieguide® Publisher Dr. Ted Baehr said. “[My daughter] Evy [Carroll] and her family and I visited him as he was holding on bravely, but he knew he was graduating to be with Jesus Christ and was full of grace and love. He came to most of our Hollywood parties and MOVIEGUIDE® Annual Faith & Values Awards Galas & Report to the Entertainment Industry. Bob even won a lifetime MOVIEGUIDE® Award. Jesus is rejoicing, but we will miss him a lot.”

MOVIEGUIDE® host and producer (and Baehr’s daughter) Evy Carroll said, “Kinda like a grandfather type for us since he was always around since we were kids.”

Yerkes first joined the entertainment industry at 15 years old when he ran away from home to join the circus where he performed the teeterboard act. As his acrobatic skills improved, so did his opportunities. He performed in shows in Las Vegas and the Catskills and ultimately found his way onto movie sets.

“This is my 57th year in the business, and my body keeps going. I’ve broken my leg three times, nothing serious. When I was in Ringling in 1957, I started reading the Bible,” Yerkes previously told Movieguide®.

Yerkes’ performed stunts in multiple iconic movies, including GHOST BUSTERS, BACK TO THE FUTURE, FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF, WHO FRAMED ROGER RABIT and more.

In 2004, Movieguide® honored Yerkes with the Special Lifetime Faith & Values Crystal Teddy® Awards.

Yerkes was recognized for “his tireless and superior efforts to help entertainers understand God’s love and grace.”

“It’s great to stand in for people,” he said at the time, “just like Jesus Christ, who stood in for all of us on the Cross.”

He continued: “I have been watching Hollywood come back to family-type films, and I’m watching more Christians move into leadership positions in the Entertainment Industry, and more of these come out of the Christian closet. Ted is doing such a great thing, and it’s having a great impact. Each year the awards Gala is bigger and better, and I’m here to give encouragement.”

Bob added, “Since the beginning, I’ve seen the MOVIEGUIDE® Awards grow each year, and I’m so excited about it…and I always take MOVIEGUIDE®’s with me when I go to work, I keep them backstage and talk to people and say, ‘You should subscribe to find out what really good films are, what you want to subject your mind to.’ More and more people are really getting into it — MOVIEGUIDE® and the awards.”

Yerkes continued to follow his passion for stunts well into his later years. His final credit is listed as 2017’s KILLING HASSELHOFF.

Yerkes leaves a strong legacy of faith and positivity in the entertainment industry.

 

Stunts

David Hasselhoff and Ken Jeong in Killing Hasselhoff (2017)

Killing Hasselhoff

4.5

stunts

2017

 

Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, Robert Pattinson, and Tai in Water for Elephants (2011)

Water for Elephants

6.9

stunts

2011

 

Hank Azaria and Russell Brand in Hop (2011)

Hop

5.4

stunts

2011

 

Jennifer Lopez and Alex O'Loughlin in The Back-up Plan (2010)

The Back-up Plan

5.3

stunt double

2010

 

Justin Long, Jesse McCartney, and Matthew Gray Gubler in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009)

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

4.6

stunts

2009

 

Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren, and Rachel McAdams in State of Play (2009)

State of Play

7.1

stunts

2009

 

Tim Allen, Spencer Breslin, Kate Mara, Ryan Whitney, and Michael Cassidy in Zoom (2006)

Zoom

4.4

stunt performer

2006

 

Poseidon (2006)

Poseidon

5.7

stunts

2006

 

Patricia Richardson and Rosa Blasi in Strong Medicine (2000)

Strong Medicine

6.7

TV Series

stunt rigger

2006

1 episode

 

Jennifer Aniston and Ben Stiller in Along Came Polly (2004)

Along Came Polly

6.0

stunts

2004

 

Where the Red Fern Grows (2003)

Where the Red Fern Grows

6.4

stunt player

2003

 

Eriq La Salle in Crazy as Hell (2002)

Crazy as Hell

5.8

stunt player

2002

 

Megiddo: The Omega Code 2 (2001)

Megiddo: The Omega Code 2

3.9

stunts

2001

 

Elizabeth Hurley and Brendan Fraser in Bedazzled (2000)

Bedazzled

6.1

stunts

2000

 

Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Philip Baker Hall, Jason Robards, and Jeremy Blackman in Magnolia (1999)

Magnolia

8.0

stunts

1999

 

Hard Time: Hostage Hotel (1999)

Hard Time: Hostage Hotel

5.0

TV Movie

stunts

1999

 

The Omega Code (1999)

The Omega Code

3.5

stunts (as Brayton W. Yerkes)

1999

 

My Favorite Martian (1999)

My Favorite Martian

5.1

stunts

1999

 

Henry Winkler, Jessica Alba, Brandon Baker, Kenneth A. Brown, Tim Redwine, and Patrick Renna in P.U.N.K.S. (1998)

P.U.N.K.S.

4.7

stunts

1998

 

Robin Williams in What Dreams May Come (1998)

What Dreams May Come

7.0

stunt performer

1998

 

Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in The Odd Couple II (1998)

The Odd Couple II

6.4

stunts

1998

 

Jon Lovitz in High School High (1996)

High School High

5.6

stunts

1996

 

Letter to My Killer (1995)

Letter to My Killer

5.3

TV Movie

stunts

1995

 

Athena Massey and Don Wilson in Virtual Combat (1995)

Virtual Combat

3.9

Video

stunts

1995

 

Jim Carrey, Tommy Lee Jones, Nicole Kidman, Val Kilmer, and Chris O'Donnell in Batman Forever (1995)

Batman Forever

5.4

stunts (uncredited)

1995

 

Stuart Saves His Family (1995)

Stuart Saves His Family

5.3

stunts

1995

 

Molly Ringwald, Rob Lowe, Laura San Giacomo, Gary Sinise, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ruby Dee, Corin Nemec, and Bill Fagerbakke in The Stand (1994)

The Stand

7.1

TV Mini Series

stunts (uncredited)

1994

1 episode

 

The Silence of the Hams (1994)

The Silence of the Hams

4.6

stunts

1994

 

Bruce Willis and Jane March in Color of Night (1994)

Color of Night

5.2

stunts

1994

 

Cary Elwes in Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Robin Hood: Men in Tights

6.7

stunts

1993

 

Jennifer Tilly in At Home with the Webbers (1993)

At Home with the Webbers

5.0

TV Movie

stunts

1993

 

The Sandlot (1993)

The Sandlot

7.8

stunts

1993

 

Matthew Broderick and Heidi Kling in Out on a Limb (1992)

Out on a Limb

5.3

stunts

1992

 

Mom and Dad Save the World (1992)

Mom and Dad Save the World

5.3

stunts

1992

 

Christopher Martin and Christopher Reid in Class Act (1992)

Class Act

6.1

stunts

1992

 

Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, Robin Williams, Bob Hoskins, Dante Basco, David Crosby, Robert Amico, Jasen Fisher, Stephanie Furst, Raushan Hammond, James Madio, Regina Russell Banali, Alex Zuckerman, and Paul Babb in Hook (1991)

Hook

6.8

stunts (as Brayton Yerkes)

1991

 

Christopher Martin and Christopher Reid in House Party 2 (1991)

House Party 2

5.3

stunts

1991

 

Mark Hamill in The Guyver (1991)

The Guyver

4.9

stunts

1991

 

Twin Peaks (1990)

Twin Peaks

8.8

TV Series

utility stunts

1990

1 episode

 

Christian Slater in Pump Up the Volume (1990)

Pump Up the Volume

7.2

stunts

1990

 

John Ritter, Amy Yasbeck, and Michael Oliver in Problem Child (1990)

Problem Child

5.5

circus stunt coordinator

stunts

1990

 

Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and Mary Steenburgen in Back to the Future Part III (1990)

Back to the Future Part III

7.4

stunt double: Christopher Lloyd

stunts (uncredited)

1990

 

Rick Moranis, Thomas Wilson Brown, Amy O'Neill, Robert Oliveri, and Jared Rushton in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

6.4

stunts

1989

 

C.H.U.D. II: Bud the Chud (1989)

C.H.U.D. II: Bud the Chud

4.1

stunts

1989

 

Tom Selleck and Paulina Porizkova in Her Alibi (1989)

Her Alibi

5.8

stunts

1989

 

Circus

4.9

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1988

 

Big Top Pee-wee (1988)

Big Top Pee-wee

5.1

stunts

1988

 

Fisher Stevens and Tim Blaney in Short Circuit 2 (1988)

Short Circuit 2

5.7

stunts

1988

 

Frank Sinatra, Christopher Lloyd, Kathleen Turner, Joanna Cassidy, Bob Hoskins, Jim Cummings, and Charles Fleischer in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

7.7

stunts

1988

 

Nightflyers (1987)

Nightflyers

4.3

stunt coordinator

1987

 

The Monster Squad (1987)

The Monster Squad

6.9

stunts

1987

 

Retribution (1987)

Retribution

5.9

stunts

1987

 

Ratboy (1986)

Ratboy

3.9

stunts

1986

 

Matthew Broderick in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

7.8

stunts

1986

 

Psycho III (1986)

Psycho III

5.5

stunt coordinator

1986

 

Assassin (1986)

Assassin

4.8

TV Movie

stunts

1986

 

Hollywood Vice Squad (1986)

Hollywood Vice Squad

4.8

stunts

1986

 

Rainy Day Friends (1985)

Rainy Day Friends

6.4

stunts

1985

 

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

Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins

6.4

stunts

1985

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando (1985)

Commando

6.7

stunts (as Brayton W. Yerkes)

1985

 

Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future (1985)

Back to the Future

8.5

stunts

1985

 

James Spader, Kim Richards, and Paul Mones in Tuff Turf (1985)

Tuff Turf

6.0

stunts

1985

 

Ghostbusters (1984)

Ghostbusters

7.8

stunts (uncredited)

1984

 

Psycho II (1983)

Psycho II

6.6

stunt coordinator

stunts (uncredited)

1983

 

Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, Warwick Davis, David Prowse, Billy Dee Williams, Michael Carter, and Larry Ward in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

8.3

stunt performer

1983

 

Chuck Norris in Forced Vengeance (1982)

Forced Vengeance

5.5

stunts

1982

 

Heather O'Rourke in Poltergeist (1982)

Poltergeist

7.3

stunts

1982

 

The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)

The Sword and the Sorcerer

5.5

stunts

1982

 

Sylvia Chang, Samuel Hui, and Karl Maka in Mad Mission (1982)

Mad Mission

6.6

tightrope stunts

1982

 

Klinton Spilsbury in The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981)

The Legend of the Lone Ranger

4.9

stunts

1981

 

Danny DeVito and Tony Danza in Going Ape! (1981)

Going Ape!

4.1

stunts

1981

 

Underground Aces (1981)

Underground Aces

4.2

stunt player

1981

 

Ultra Flesh

5.3

stunt coordinator

1980

 

1941 (1979)

1941

5.8

stunts (uncredited)

1979

 

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

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

6.9

TV Series

stunts

1979–1981

 

Pamela Jean Bryant, Susan Kiger, Lisa London, and Kimberly Cameron in H.O.T.S. (1979)

H.O.T.S.

4.6

stunts

1979

 

The Amazing Dobermans (1976)

The Amazing Dobermans

5.1

stunts (uncredited)

1976

 

Pam Grier, Ken Norton, and Warren Oates in Drum (1976)

Drum

5.5

stunts (uncredited)

1976

 

Mitchell (1975)

Mitchell

2.8

stunts (uncredited)

1975

 

Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1975)

Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze

5.3

stunts (uncredited)

1975

 

Charles Bronson, Robert Duvall, John Huston, Randy Quaid, Jill Ireland, and Sheree North in Breakout (1975)

Breakout

6.1

stunts (uncredited)

1975

 

Fred Astaire, William Holden, Paul Newman, Richard Chamberlain, Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway, O.J. Simpson, Robert Vaughn, Robert Wagner, Susan Blakely, and Jennifer Jones in The Towering Inferno (1974)

The Towering Inferno

7.0

stunts (uncredited)

1974

 

Charlton Heston, Victoria Principal, Geneviève Bujold, Ava Gardner, Lorne Greene, George Kennedy, Marjoe Gortner, Lloyd Nolan, Richard Roundtree, and Barry Sullivan in Earthquake (1974)

Earthquake

5.9

stunts (uncredited)

1974

 

Charlton Heston, Linda Blair, Karen Black, George Kennedy, Myrna Loy, Sid Caesar, Susan Clark, Helen Reddy, Gloria Swanson, Roy Thinnes, and Efrem Zimbalist Jr. in Airport 1975 (1974)

Airport 1975

5.7

stunts (uncredited)

1974

 

Burt Lancaster, Jacqueline Bisset, Van Heflin, George Kennedy, Dean Martin, Barbara Hale, Helen Hayes, Barry Nelson, Lloyd Nolan, Jean Seberg, Maureen Stapleton, and Dana Wynter in Airport (1970)

Airport

6.6

stunts (uncredited)

1970

 

Trapeze (1956)

Trapeze

6.8

stunts (uncredited)

1956

 

Paul Newman, Pier Angeli, Jack Palance, and Virginia Mayo in The Silver Chalice (1954)

The Silver Chalice

4.6

stunts (uncredited)

1954

 

Elizabeth Taylor, Greer Garson, Peter Lawford, and Walter Pidgeon in Julia Misbehaves (1948)

Julia Misbehaves

6.8

stunts (uncredited)

1948

 

Actor

The Key

Short

Purse Snatcher

2010

 

1000 Ways to Die (2008)

1000 Ways to Die

6.8

TV Series

Bob the Scrooge

2010

1 episode

 

The Butterfly Circus (2009)

The Butterfly Circus

7.8

Short

Poppy

2009

 

Tom Hanks in Angels & Demons (2009)

Angels & Demons

6.7

Cardinal Guidera

2009

 

Evilution (2008)

Evilution

3.8

Sweat Suit Tenant

2008

 

I Believe

Short

Dad

2006

 

Nicolas Cage in Adaptation. (2002)

Adaptation.

7.7

Charles Darwin

2002

 

George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Alicia Silverstone, Uma Thurman, and Chris O'Donnell in Batman & Robin (1997)

Batman & Robin

3.8

Observatory Guard (uncredited)

1997

 

Molly Ringwald, Rob Lowe, Laura San Giacomo, Gary Sinise, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ruby Dee, Corin Nemec, and Bill Fagerbakke in The Stand (1994)

The Stand

7.1

TV Mini Series

Old Man in Store (as Brayton Yerkes)

1994

1 episode

 

Jennifer Grey and Peter Berg in A Case for Murder (1993)

A Case for Murder

5.3

TV Movie

Judge Newhouse

1993

 

Mr. Saturday Night (1992)

Mr. Saturday Night

5.9

Acrobat

1992

 

Purple People Eater (1988)

Purple People Eater

4.6

Trapeze Artist

1988

 

Ratboy (1986)

Ratboy

3.9

Stagehand

1986

 

Anthony Edwards and Linda Fiorentino in Gotcha! (1985)

Gotcha!

6.2

KGB #2

1985

 

Side Show (1981)

Side Show

6.5

TV Movie

Man Without a Face

1981

 

Elizabeth Montgomery in When the Circus Came to Town (1981)

When the Circus Came to Town

6.9

TV Movie

Georgi Probashka

1981

 

In God We Trust (or Gimme That Prime Time Religion) (1980)

In God We Trust (or Gimme That Prime Time Religion)

5.4

(as Brayton 'Bob' Yerkes)

1980

 

Catherine Bach, Ben Jones, Denver Pyle, John Schneider, and Tom Wopat in The Dukes of Hazzard (1979)

The Dukes of Hazzard

7.1

TV Series

Meznick

1979

1 episode

 

Melissa Sue Anderson, Melissa Gilbert, Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Richard Bull, Sidney Greenbush, Jonathan Gilbert, Rachel Lindsay Greenbush, and Katherine MacGregor in Little House on the Prairie (1974)

Little House on the Prairie

7.5

TV Series

Tumbler

1979

1 episode

 

The Amazing Dobermans (1976)

The Amazing Dobermans

5.1

Vic

1976

 

Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1975)

Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze

5.3

Sailor (uncredited)

1975

 

Red Buttons, Victor Mature, Kathryn Grant, David Nelson, and Gilbert Roland in The Big Circus (1959)

The Big Circus

6.2

Circus Performer (uncredited)

1959

 

Paul Newman, Pier Angeli, Jack Palance, and Virginia Mayo in The Silver Chalice (1954)

The Silver Chalice

4.6

Tumbler (uncredited)

1954

 

Producer

The Butterfly Circus (2009)

The Butterfly Circus

7.8

Short

executive producer

2009

 

Up in the Air (2009)

Up in the Air

7.2

Short

executive producer

2009

 

Douglas Folsom in Unbound (2008)

Unbound

Short

executive producer

2008

 

Mirage

Short

executive producer

2007

 

I Believe

Short

executive producer

2006