Brayton Walter Yerkes (February 11, 1932 – October 1, 2024), known professionally as Bob Yerkes, was an American stuntman.
Career Born in Santa Monica, California, on February 11, 1932, Yerkes began a life of acrobatics in the circus at the age of 15. He began his career in film stunts in 1948, and went on to work as a stuntman in such films as Back to the Future, Return of the Jedi, and Hook. Yerkes later hosted stunt training days, on an invitation-only basis at his home in the Northridge section of Los Angeles, which had a backyard that contained extensive rigging for stunt work. He continued to amass film credits until 2017.
Personal life and death Yerkes was a Christian, having joined the religion in his youth.
In 1953, Yerkes married Dorothy Morales, a fellow circus performer. They had a son and divorced in the 1970s. Bob Yerkes died from complications of pneumonia at a hospital in Northridge, on October 1, 2024. He was 92.
Filmography Year Film Role 1948 Julia Misbehaves Stunts 1954 The Silver Chalice Stunts, actor 1956 Trapeze Stunts 1959 The Big Circus Actor (uncredited), technical advisor 1970 Airport Stunts 1974 Airport 1975 Stunts 1974 Earthquake Stunts 1974 The Towering Inferno Stunts 1975 Breakout Stunts 1983 Return of the Jedi Stunts 1984 Ghostbusters Stunts 1985 Back to the Future Stunts 1986 Ferris Bueller's Day Off Stunts 1988 Who Framed Roger Rabbit Stunts 1989 Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Stunts 1990 Back to the Future Part III Stunts 1991 Hook Stunts 1993 Robin Hood: Men in Tights Stunts 1995 Batman Forever Technical advisor 1999 Magnolia Stunts 2002 Adaptation Actor (Charles Darwin) 2006 Poseidon Stunts 2009 Angels & Demons Actor (Cardinal Guidera) 2009 The Butterfly Circus Actor [Poppy] 2009 Up in the Air (short film) Executive producer
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