– Mickey Gilbert Stunt Double Robert Redford
– Mickey Gilbert Stunt Double Gene Wilder.
Legendary Stunt Performer Mickey Gilbert Passes Away at 87
Mickey Gilbert, the renowned British stunt performer, known for his death-defying feats in iconic films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Blazing Saddles, has sadly passed away at the age of 87. The news of his demise was confirmed by his oldest son, Tim Gilbert, who is also a stunt performer, to The Hollywood Reporter.
Born on April 17, 1936, in Los Angeles, Roderick Michael Gilbert began his career as a horse wrangler in William Wyler’s Ben-Hur (1959) and later portrayed a bank robber in Sam Peckinpah’s The Wild Bunch (1969). However, it was his extraordinary work in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid that catapulted him to fame.
In the classic film, Gilbert fearlessly jumped off a cliff alongside Robert Redford and Paul Newman’s characters to escape their pursuers. While Redford and Newman landed safely on a ledge with a mattress below, Gilbert and fellow stunt performer Howard Curtis took the daring leap from a construction crane at Paramount Ranch, creating a heart-stopping scene that remains etched in cinematic history.
Gilbert’s association with Redford extended beyond Butch Cassidy as he went on to double for the acclaimed actor in numerous films, including Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here (1969), The Sting (1973), and The Electric Horseman (1979), among others. Their collaboration was not limited to the big screen, as both Gilbert and Redford had actually graduated from Van Nuys High School together in 1954.
Aside from his work with Redford, Gilbert also provided his stunt expertise to Gene Wilder in films like Blazing Saddles (1974), Silver Streak (1976), and The Frisco Kid (1979). He became a vital part of the Hollywood stunt community, earning a well-deserved place in The Hollywood Stuntmen’s Hall of Fame.
Gilbert’s remarkable career spanned several decades, and he continued to thrill audiences with his daring stunts in films such as Rooster Cogburn (1975), The Blues Brothers (1980), and Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982). Additionally, he took on roles as a stunt coordinator and even ventured into second-unit directing.
Throughout his life, Gilbert was dedicated to his craft, passing down his skills and passion to future generations. All three of his sons, Tim, Lance, and Troy, followed in his footsteps as stunt performers, and even his grandsons, Aiden, Gage, Cody, Levi, and Luke, have embraced the family tradition.
On Monday, Gilbert peacefully passed away at his home in Camarillo, California, due to natural causes. His legacy as a fearless and talented stunt performer will be forever remembered in the annals of Hollywood history.
He is survived by his loving wife, his three sons, and his granddaughters, Lulu, Mimi, and Paulina. Gilbert’s contribution to the film industry and his impact on the world of stunts will never be forgotten.
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Mickey Gilbert, Stunt Double for Robert Redford and Gene Wilder, Dies at 87
– Mickey Gilbert stunt double
– Mickey Gilbert Robert Redford stunt double.
