Star Wars and Back to the Future stuntman Bob Yerkes dead at 92

Hollywood stuntman Bob Yerkes, best known for his work in “Star Wars” and “Back to the Future,” has died at age 92.Yerkes, whose silver screen career spanned over 70 years, was a stunt double for some of the biggest stars in the film industry, including Paul Newman, Robert Duval, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.His death was announced by fellow stunt performer Darlene Ava Williams, who shared the news on social media Thursday.“I am horribly sad to hear that my mentor and stunt coach Bob Yerkes passed away this morning in Northridge, California,” she wrote on Facebook.“Bobby opened the door to his home and backyard to everyone that either needed a place to stay or to train for a job.”In “Back to the Future,” Yerkes served as a stunt double for Christopher Lloyd in the iconic scene that saw him slide down a clock tower cable in the hit 1985 cult favorite.In “Star Wars,” the stuntman flew as intergalactic bounty hunter Boba Fett in the 1983 film “Return of the Jedi.” The stunt was filmed in his backyard.“Bobby knew my parents before I was born and knew me as a kid growing up in the circus,” Williams continued in her tribute.“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.”She added that Yerkes would always consider her for stunt jobs whenever they popped up, even before she dedicated her career to being a stunt woman.“I would not have had a career in stunts without Bob Yerkes,” she went on.“I am so thankful that we got to celebrate Bob Yerkes induction into the Circus Ring of Fame this year for Coach of the Year.”“I am so happy we got to also celebrate his 92nd birthday with him here in Sarasota,” she added.

“There will never be another Bob Yerkes! My heart is broken.I am proud and honored to have known him.

He was a true legend!”Yerkes earned his stripes as one of H...