Bobby Bass, a renowned stuntman and actor, was born on August 6, 1936, in Jefferson County, Kentucky. This exceptional individual was not only a Judo champion, boasting a third-degree black belt, but also possessed a remarkable military background, having served as a paratrooper, Green Beret, and Special Forces instructor before venturing into the stunt business.
In the mid-1960s, Bobby's career in stunts was ignited by his introduction to fellow stuntman and actor Gene LeBell. His impressive resume not only includes a plethora of stunt work but also a stint as an instructor, teaching various celebrities the art of combat and weapon handling. He is credited with popularizing the use of the head butt in barroom brawls, and his students include notable actors such as Mel Gibson, Burt Reynolds, Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover, Michael Douglas, and Kathleen Turner.
Beyond his work as a stuntman, Bobby Bass became a passionate advocate for improved working conditions in the stunt industry. This advocacy was fueled by two tragic incidents that occurred during the production of films in which he was involved. The first was the automobile stunt gone awry during the shooting of The Cannonball Run (1981),which resulted in the paralysis of his then-girlfriend, stuntwoman Heidi Von Beltz, from the neck down. The second was the helicopter accident that took the lives of Vic Morrow and two child actors during the making of Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983).
Sadly, Bobby Bass passed away at the age of 65 on November 7, 2001, due to complications from Parkinson's disease.
