Star Wars and Back to the Future stuntman Bob Yerkes dies at the age of 92

Professional American stuntman Bob Yerkes enjoyed a career that ran for 42 years and saw him perform in the iconic Star Wars and Back to the Future film franchises

Film stunt performer Bob Yerkes has died at the age of 92, according to one of his mentees.

The American film performer - who worked in stunts in films including Star Wars - passed away on Tuesday in Northridge, Los Angeles. His death was announced by Darlene Ava Williams - who also works in stunts and is reported to have regarded Yerkes as a mentor.

Williams shared the news via Facebook on Tuesday, writing: "I am horribly sad to hear that my mentor and stunt coach Bob Yerkes passed away this morning in Northridge, California. Bobby opened the door to his home and backyard to everyone that either needed a place to stay or to train for a job."

She continued: "Bobby knew my parents before I was born and knew me as a kid growing up in the circus. At one time, long before me, my dad and Bob performed in a flying trapeze act together in the circus. As a kid I remember visiting his backyard. I remember watching him train celebrities and stunt people.

"Years later, after I moved to Los Angeles Bob would call me for stunt jobs. I really wanted to work in computer animation and children's television. Not in stunts, but Bob would always call. I can still hear his voice say, 'Hey! what are you doing? Do you want to work?' I would say, 'I don't know Bob. What do I have to do?' Bob would always say, 'ahh it's nothing much, you can do it.' So before I knew it I was working as a stunt woman."

She went on to credit the film star for her own career, and added: "There will never be another Bob Yerkes! My heart is broken. I am proud and honored to have known him."

Film fans will know many of Yerkes's biggest stunts as he was involved in iconic scenes in huge moments of cinematic history. He slid down a clock tower cable in place of Christopher Lloyd in the first Back to the Future movie, and hung around the Statue of Liberty in place of Fred Ward in Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins.

Yerkes himself reflected on his daring feats in a 2017 interview where he recalled dropping from a helicopter and going through a roof for a stunt in the 1975 film, Breakout. He said: “I was getting ready for the stunt and the guy said, ‘Break a Leg!,” and I broke them both.” The Hollywood Reporter adds that he also broke legs while working on Who Framed Roger Rabbit in 1988 and Her Alibi in 1989.

He is survived by his son, Mark, who also worked as a stunt performer. Another son, named Gerald, tragically died while serving in Vietnam.

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