Gary Jensen obit

Gary Jensen, Stunt Coordinator on ‘The Usual Suspects’ and ‘Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,’ Dies at 74

He teamed often with directors Bryan Singer and Kevin Smith and worked on 14 Perry Mason telefilms, too. 

He was not on the list.

Gary Jensen, a stunt coordinator who collaborated with Bryan Singer on The Usual Suspects and the first two X-Men films and with Kevin Smith on Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and four other movies, has died. He was 74.

Jensen recently spent two months in the hospital for back surgery and died April 11 at his home in Acton, California, his daughter-in-law Laura Jensen told The Hollywood Reporter.

He did stunts on films including Tron (1982), The Beastmaster (1982), Independence Day (1983), Hoosiers (1986), Peacemaker (1990), The Rookie (1990), In the Line of Fire (1993) and Due Date (2010).

Jensen also worked with Singer on Apt Pupil (1998) and with Smith on Dogma (1999), Clerks II (2006), Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) and Red State (2011), and he was a coordinator on 14 Perry Mason telefilms at NBC from 1989-94.

Born in San Francisco on Dec. 11, 1950, Gary Peter Jensen graduated from Chico High School in 1969, where his 100-yard dash record still stands, and moved to Tarzana in 1972.

In 1978, he was the stunt coordinator on the film FM and began a three-year stint doing stunts on B.J. and the Bear. (He also served as a second-unit director on the NBC series.)

Jensen’s résumé as a coordinator included the films The Return of the Living Dead (1985), Evil Dead II (1987), Miracle Mile (1988), The Grifters (1990), Tremors (1990), Barton Fink (1991), McHale’s Navy (1997) and Mr. Woodcock (2007) and the TV series United States of Tara and Franklin & Bash.

He loved to ride horses in the backcountry of Colorado and in the deserts of Southern California and often said that if he couldn’t get on his horse, then it was time to retire. He did so after working on South Dakota (2017).

He is survived by his children, Ben (a stunt performer turned safety coordinator at Paramount), Ethan (also a former stunt performer), Molly, Jessi and Chloe; his siblings, Keith, Lynn and Ellen; and nine grandchildren.

A “Final Production Meeting” for Jensen is scheduled for June 8 in the Los Angeles area, with the venue to be announced.

Actor

Bob Hoskins, Mena Suvari, and Robert Loggia in American Virgin (1999)

American Virgin

3.5

Stunt Coordinator

1999

 

James Marsden, Amy Smart, Ron Livingston, and Christine Taylor in Campfire Tales (1997)

Campfire Tales

5.8

Crow Man #3 (segment "The Honeymoon")

1997

 

Gary Busey, Rod Steiger, Esai Morales, Ashley Laurence, and James Russo in The Real Thing (1996)

The Real Thing

5.0

Guard #1

1996

 

Catch the Heat (1987)

Catch the Heat

5.0

San Francisco Drug Dealer

1987

 

The Junkman (1982)

The Junkman

5.5

Player

1982

 

The Greatest American Hero (1981)

The Greatest American Hero

7.3

TV Series

Capt. Williams

1982

1 episode

 

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

B.J. and the Bear

6.4

TV Series

Policeman

1979

1 episode

 

The Lord of the Rings (1978)

The Lord of the Rings

6.2

Character Actor (voice)

1978

 

Kurt Russell and Tim Matheson in The Quest (1976)

The Quest

7.0

TV Series

Ranger Brown

1976

1 episode

 

Producer

Scream (1981)

Scream

2.8

associate producer

1981

 

Second Unit or Assistant Director

Ray Liotta, Billy Burke, Joel David Moore, and Alexandra Breckenridge in Ticket Out (2012)

Ticket Out

4.7

second unit director

2012

 

The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys (2002)

The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys

6.9

second unit director

2002

 

Child of Darkness, Child of Light (1991)

Child of Darkness, Child of Light

4.6

TV Movie

second unit director

1991

 

Robert Vaughn and David McCallum in The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair (1983)

The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair

6.3

TV Movie

second unit director

1983

 

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

B.J. and the Bear

6.4

TV Series

second unit director

1979–1981

9 episodes

 

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

The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo

6.5

TV Series

second unit director

1979

1 episode

 

Stunts

South Dakota (2017)

South Dakota

5.7

stunt coordinator

2017

 

Christina Applegate, Ed Helms, Skyler Gisondo, and Steele Stebbins in Vacation (2015)

Vacation

6.2

stunts

2015

 

Battle Creek (2015)

Battle Creek

7.2

TV Series

stunt coordinator

2015

1 episode

 

Heather Locklear, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, and Breckin Meyer in Franklin & Bash (2011)

Franklin & Bash

7.6

TV Series

stunt coordinator

2014

10 episodes

 

The Loft (2014)

The Loft

6.3

assistant stunt rigger

2014

 

Random Stop (2014)

Random Stop

7.1

Short

stunt driver

2014

 

Demián Bichir and Diane Kruger in The Bridge (2013)

The Bridge

7.6

TV Series

stunt coordinator (uncredited)

2013

1 episode

 

Mockingbird Lane (2012)

Mockingbird Lane

7.2

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

2012

 

Toni Collette in United States of Tara (2009)

United States of Tara

8.0

TV Series

stunt coordinator

2009–2011

25 episodes

 

Kerry Bishé in Red State (2011)

Red State

6.1

stunt coordinator

2011

 

Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis in Due Date (2010)

Due Date

6.5

stunts

2010

 

Elizabeth Banks and Seth Rogen in Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)

Zack and Miri Make a Porno

6.5

stunt coordinator (as Gary Jenson)

2008

 

Eva Longoria, Paul Rudd, and Lake Bell in Over Her Dead Body (2008)

Over Her Dead Body

5.3

stunt coordinator

2008

 

Susan Sarandon, Billy Bob Thornton, and Seann William Scott in Mr. Woodcock (2007)

Mr. Woodcock

5.2

stunt coordinator

2007

 

Kevin Smith, Jeff Anderson, Rosario Dawson, Jason Mewes, and Brian O'Halloran in Clerks II (2006)

Clerks II

7.3

stunt coordinator

2006

 

Annette Bening and Ben Kingsley in Mrs. Harris (2005)

Mrs. Harris

5.9

TV Movie

stunts

2005

 

Krista Allen, Jennifer Hall, and Bryan Greenberg in Unscripted (2005)

Unscripted

7.2

TV Series

stunt coordinator

2005

1 episode

 

The Amateurs (2005)

The Amateurs

6.2

stunt coordinator

2005

 

Hollywood, It's a Dog's Life (2004)

Hollywood, It's a Dog's Life

5.1

stunts

2004

 

Ben Scott in The Hollow (2004)

The Hollow

4.5

TV Movie

stunts

2004

 

Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Alan Cumming, Anna Paquin, Ian McKellen, Shawn Ashmore, Hugh Jackman, and Aaron Stanford in X2: X-Men United (2003)

X2: X-Men United

7.4

stunt coordinator

2003

 

Brad Renfro and Jena Malone in American Girl (2002)

American Girl

5.9

stunts

2002

 

The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys (2002)

The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys

6.9

stunt coordinator

2002

 

.com for Murder (2002)

.com for Murder

2.7

stunt coordinator

2002

 

Jeff Bridges, Noah Wyle, Morris Chestnut, and Jon Abrahams in Scenes of the Crime (2001)

Scenes of the Crime

5.7

stunt coordinator

2001

 

Ben Affleck, Chris Rock, Will Ferrell, Shannon Elizabeth, Kevin Smith, Jason Lee, and Jason Mewes in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

6.8

stunt coordinator

2001

 

Rebecca De Mornay, Kiefer Sutherland, and Dana Delany in The Right Temptation (2000)

The Right Temptation

5.4

stunt coordinator

2000

 

Patrick Stewart, James Marsden, and Hugh Jackman in X-Men (2000)

X-Men

7.3

stunt coordinator

2000

 

Tyne Daly, Frederic Forrest, Robert Breuler, Marc Grapey, Rebecca Harrell Tickell, and Andreas Katsulas in A Piece of Eden (2000)

A Piece of Eden

5.7

stunt coordinator

2000

 

Bob Hoskins, Mena Suvari, and Robert Loggia in American Virgin (1999)

American Virgin

3.5

stunt coordinator

stunt player

1999

 

Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott in Inherit the Wind (1999)

Inherit the Wind

7.2

TV Movie

utility stunts

1999

 

Salma Hayek, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino, Alan Rickman, Chris Rock, Kevin Smith, and Jason Mewes in Dogma (1999)

Dogma

7.3

stunt coordinator

1999

 

Earthly Possessions (1999)

Earthly Possessions

6.1

TV Movie

stunt performer

1999

 

The Tempest (1998)

The Tempest

4.9

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1998

 

Brad Renfro in Apt Pupil (1998)

Apt Pupil

6.7

stunt coordinator

1998

 

Host (1998)

Host

4.8

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1998

 

Tim Curry, Tom Arnold, Dean Stockwell, David Alan Grier, Bruce Campbell, Henry Cho, Brian Haley, French Stewart, and Danton Stone in McHale's Navy (1997)

McHale's Navy

4.6

stunt coordinator

1997

 

James Marsden, Amy Smart, Ron Livingston, and Christine Taylor in Campfire Tales (1997)

Campfire Tales

5.8

stunt coordinator

1997

 

Asteroid (1997)

Asteroid

4.7

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1997

 

Jeff Goldblum, Diane Lane, Ellen Barkin, Gabriel Byrne, Richard Dreyfuss, Burt Reynolds, Kyle MacLachlan, and Gregory Hines in Mad Dog Time (1996)

Mad Dog Time

5.4

stunt coordinator

1996

 

Gary Busey, Rod Steiger, Esai Morales, Ashley Laurence, and James Russo in The Real Thing (1996)

The Real Thing

5.0

second unit stunts

1996

 

Baja (1995)

Baja

5.1

Video

stunts

1995

 

Raging Angels (1995)

Raging Angels

3.3

stunt coordinator

1995

 

Christopher Lloyd, Cynthia Gibb, James Calvert, and Stephen Kay in Deadly Games (1995)

Deadly Games

6.3

TV Series

stunt coordinator

1995

2 episodes

 

Amanda Donohoe in Shame II: The Secret (1995)

Shame II: The Secret

5.5

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1995

 

Ellen Burstyn, Sheryl Lee, and Renée O'Connor in Follow the River (1995)

Follow the River

6.2

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1995

 

Kevin Spacey, Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio Del Toro, and Kevin Pollak in The Usual Suspects (1995)

The Usual Suspects

8.5

stunt coordinator

1995

 

A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Grimacing Governor (1994)

A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Grimacing Governor

6.8

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1994

 

Kevin Bacon, David Strathairn, Meryl Streep, and Joseph Mazzello in The River Wild (1994)

The River Wild

6.5

stunts

1994

 

Hal Holbrook in A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle (1994)

A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle

6.9

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1994

 

Kevin Bacon and Charles Gitonga Maina in The Air Up There (1994)

The Air Up There

5.6

stunt coordinator

1994

 

Paul Sorvino, Kathy Ireland, Kim Alexis, Shelley Hack, and Beverly Johnson in A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Wicked Wives (1993)

A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Wicked Wives

6.6

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1993

 

Perry Mason: The Case of the Killer Kiss (1993)

Perry Mason: The Case of the Killer Kiss

7.3

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1993

 

Bobbie Phillips in The Cover Girl Murders (1993)

The Cover Girl Murders

4.1

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1993

 

Clint Eastwood in In the Line of Fire (1993)

In the Line of Fire

7.2

stunts

1993

 

John Leguizamo and Bob Hoskins in Super Mario Bros. (1993)

Super Mario Bros.

4.2

stunt coordinator

stunts

1993

 

Perry Mason: The Case of the Killer Kiss (1993)

Perry Mason: The Case of the Telltale Talk Show Host

6.9

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1993

 

The Man with Three Wives (1993)

The Man with Three Wives

5.9

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1993

 

Aspen Extreme (1993)

Aspen Extreme

6.0

stunt coordinator

1993

 

Juliette Lewis and C. Thomas Howell in That Night (1992)

That Night

6.6

stunt coordinator

1992

 

Geena Davis, Dustin Hoffman, and Andy Garcia in Hero (1992)

Hero

6.5

stunt coordinator

stunts

1992

 

Mom and Dad Save the World (1992)

Mom and Dad Save the World

5.4

stunts

1992

 

Crystal Bernard in Lady Against the Odds (1992)

Lady Against the Odds

5.4

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1992

 

Jim Carrey, William McNamara, and Lori Loughlin in Doing Time on Maple Drive (1992)

Doing Time on Maple Drive

7.0

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1992

 

Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Framing (1992)

Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Framing

6.9

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1992

 

Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale in Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Fashion (1991)

Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Fashion

7.0

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1991

 

Jodie Foster, Dianne Wiest, and Adam Hann-Byrd in Little Man Tate (1991)

Little Man Tate

6.6

stunts

1991

 

Diplomatic Immunity (1991)

Diplomatic Immunity

4.6

stunt coordinator

1991

 

John Turturro in Barton Fink (1991)

Barton Fink

7.6

stunt coordinator

1991

 

Don Michael Paul in Rich Girl (1991)

Rich Girl

5.7

stunts

1991

 

Child of Darkness, Child of Light (1991)

Child of Darkness, Child of Light

4.6

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1991

 

Kristy Swanson, William Ragsdale, and Meshach Taylor in Mannequin: On the Move (1991)

Mannequin: On the Move

4.5

stunt coordinator

stunts

1991

 

Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster (1991)

Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster

6.9

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1991

 

Mimi Rogers and Mark Harmon in Fourth Story (1991)

Fourth Story

5.9

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

stunts

1991

 

Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter (1991)

Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter

7.0

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1991

 

Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen in The Rookie (1990)

The Rookie

5.9

stunts

1990

 

Perry Mason: The Case of the Defiant Daughter (1990)

Perry Mason: The Case of the Defiant Daughter

7.1

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1990

 

John Cusack, Annette Bening, and Anjelica Huston in The Grifters (1990)

The Grifters

6.9

stunt coordinator

1990

 

Christian Slater, Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Balthazar Getty, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Alan Ruck in Young Guns II (1990)

Young Guns II

6.5

stunts

1990

 

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

Problem Child

5.5

stunts

1990

 

Peacemaker (1990)

Peacemaker

5.2

stunt player

1990

 

Perry Mason: The Case of the Poisoned Pen (1990)

Perry Mason: The Case of the Poisoned Pen

7.0

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1990

 

Kevin Bacon, Finn Carter, and Fred Ward in Tremors (1990)

Tremors

7.2

stunt coordinator

1990

 

Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin (1989)

Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin

6.7

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1989

 

Stepfather II: Make Room for Daddy (1989)

Stepfather II: Make Room for Daddy

5.6

stunt coordinator

1989

 

Chopper Chicks in Zombietown (1989)

Chopper Chicks in Zombietown

4.1

stunt coordinator

1989

 

David Paul and Peter Paul in Think Big (1989)

Think Big

4.6

stunt coordinator

1989

 

Mitch Pileggi in Shocker (1989)

Shocker

5.5

stunts

1989

 

Rutger Hauer in Blind Fury (1989)

Blind Fury

6.3

stunts

1989

 

Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, and Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

Star Trek: The Next Generation

8.7

TV Series

stunt doubled: Kyle Riker

stunts

1989

1 episode

 

Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder (1989)

Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder

7.0

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1989

 

Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lesson (1989)

Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lesson

7.2

TV Movie

stunt coordinator

1989

 

Miracle Mile (1988)

Miracle Mile

7.0

stunt coordinator

stunts (uncredited)

1988

 

Jade Calegory in Mac and Me (1988)

Mac and Me

3.4

stunts

1988

 

Defense Play (1988)

Defense Play

4.7

stunts

1988

 

Sandahl Bergman, Roddy Piper, and Cec Verrell in Hell Comes to Frogtown (1988)

Hell Comes to Frogtown

5.5

stunt player

1988

 

Catch the Heat (1987)

Catch the Heat

5.0

stunt coordinator: second unit, Los Angeles

1987

 

Kim Evenson and Charles Laulette in Kandyland (1987)

Kandyland

4.4

stunts

1987

 

Programmed to Kill (1987)

Programmed to Kill

3.9

stunt coordinator

1987

 

Evil Dead II (1987)

Evil Dead II

7.7

stunt coordinator

1987

 

Gary Busey, Judith Barsi, and William Smith in Eye of the Tiger (1986)

Eye of the Tiger

5.6

stunts

1986

 

Hoosiers (1986)

Hoosiers

7.4

stunts

1986

 

Private Resort (1985)

Private Resort

5.2

stunt coordinator

stunt player

1985

 

Space (1985)

Space

7.2

TV Mini Series

stunt coordinator

stunt coordinator: US Unit

1985

3 episodes

 

The Return of the Living Dead (1985)

The Return of the Living Dead

7.3

stunt coordinator

stunts

1985

 

Hellhole (1985)

Hellhole

5.0

stunts

1985

 

Lust in the Dust (1984)

Lust in the Dust

5.9

stunts

1984

 

Nightmares (1983)

Nightmares

5.7

stunt coordinator

1983

 

Independence Day (1983)

Independence Day

6.5

stunt coordinator

stunts

1983

 

Tales of the Gold Monkey (1982)

Tales of the Gold Monkey

8.0

TV Series

stunt double: Jared Martin (uncredited)

1982

1 episode

 

Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann (1982)

Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann

5.4

stunt double

1982

 

The Beastmaster (1982)

The Beastmaster

6.2

stunts

1982

 

Tron (1982)

Tron

6.7

stunts

1982

 

Wanda Appleton, Blake Dennis, Lark Geib, Aldo Ray, Paul L. Smith, and Stuart Whitman in When I Am King (1982)

When I Am King

5.6

stunts

1982

 

The Nashville Grab (1981)

The Nashville Grab

5.2

TV Movie

utility stunts

1981

 

Rory Calhoun and Nancy Parsons in Motel Hell (1980)

Motel Hell

6.0

stuntman (as Gary Jenson)

1980

 

Survival Run (1979)

Survival Run

4.6

stunts

1979

 

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

B.J. and the Bear

6.4

TV Series

stunts

1978–1981

 

FM (1978)

FM

6.3

stunt coordinator

1978

 

Thanks

John Milius in Milius (2013)

Milius

7.4

special thanks

2013

 

Popcorn Porn: Watching 'Zack and Miri Make a Porno' (2009)

Popcorn Porn: Watching 'Zack and Miri Make a Porno'

6.8

Video

the producers wish to thank

2009

 

Self

Pick Up the Pace: Making 'Mr. Woodcock'

6.9

Video

Self

2008

 

Phys Ed Trauma Tales

7.8

Video

Self

2008

 

The Second Uncanny Issue of X-Men! Making 'X2'

6.7

Video

Self

2003

 

X-Men Production Scrapbook (2003)

X-Men Production Scrapbook

6.2

Video

Self

2003