Fred Krone, a skilled stuntman and actor, was born on June 19, 1930, in the state of Kentucky. His early life was marked by a move to California, where he attended Hollywood High School during the 1940s. Initially, Krone had aspirations to become a concert violinist, but a life-altering accident in 1946 that resulted in the loss of some of his fingers made it impossible for him to pursue this dream.
Instead, Krone turned to stunt work, an activity he had been involved in with his sister since his youth. He began his career as a professional stuntman in the early 1950s, following an introduction to fellow stuntman Jock Mahoney by actress Carolina Cotton. Krone's remarkable career as both an actor and stuntman spanned an impressive three decades.
Throughout his illustrious career, Krone doubled for a number of notable actors, including Steve McQueen, David Janssen, Myron Healey, Kirby Grant, Steven Hill, Gene Barry, and Efrem Zimbalist Jr.. After dedicating himself to the film industry for many years, Krone voluntarily retired in 1974 and went on to establish a highly successful clock repair business, which he eventually sold in 1992.
Throughout his life, Krone remained an active member of the Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures, a testament to his enduring dedication to the stunt community. Fred Krone passed away on January 12, 2010, at the age of 79, after a courageous battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence those in the film industry.
