SUN CITY, CALIF. — Stunt double Ben Bates, best known for his work substituting for “Gunsmoke” star James Arness (brother of me, Peter Graves, here on “Biography”) for more than 25 years, died here Oct. 4. He was 84.
MSTies may remember him in the uncredited role of Mort in the movie in episode 814- RIDING WITH DEATH.
Thanks to Timmy for the heads up.
From the obit, he sounded like a great guy. I think it takes a special kind of crazy to be a stunt man. A good kind, mind you, because without stunt doubles, movies would be so much different. RIP
back in 2006, me and my father were out in LA (to see an Aussie Rules Football game, which my favorite team won) and we saw a plaque to a family of stuntmen and women. it does take a special kind of crazy to be a stuntman (and it was the family business).