"Bullitt" stunt driver dies

[Diesel Donna]

Bud Elkins...the stunt driver in the movie Bullit passed away on Saturday October 6th. He was 77 years old, and died of natural causes in Los Angeles.

The newspaper article said he "bounced a Mustang up and down the hills of San Francisco in Bullitt". He also did a motorcycle stunt in the movie.

He was a friend and mentor of Steve McQueen. He owned a Triumph motorcycle dealership in the 60's and McQueen would hang out there and Elkins taught him about off road racing.

 

[quicknick]

Sorry to hear that, but I could have swore Steve did "ALL" his own stunts in that movie. And all his other movies for that matter. Advise.

 

[Mustanger]

Sorry to hear that, but I could have swore Steve did "ALL" his own stunts in that movie. And all his other movies for that matter. Advise.

“ … director Peter Yates prepared to begin filming the chase scenes, there were four drivers, McQueen, Bud Elkins, Bill Hickman, and in a few scenes, Carey Loftin.” :wink:

http://www.hottr6.com/triumph/BULLITT.html

 

[carezcs]

Bud Elkins also did the motorcycle jump scene in "The Great Escape"
Bruce

 

[Diesel Donna]

Bud Elkins also did the motorcycle jump scene in "The Great Escape"
Bruce

Yes! It was considered one of the most famous motorcycle stunts ever performed. He never even got a credit for it in the movie.

 

[Mustanger]

Yes! It was considered one of the most famous motorcycle stunts ever performed. He never even got a credit for it in the movie.

"... Steve performed all his character's motorbike stunts in the escape scenes, EXCEPT the famous final jump over the 6 foot high barbed wire fence. That was done by his Stunt Double (Bud Ekins).
Although many people incorrectly believed that it was Steve who had done the stunt, it was Steve himself who set the record straight, when in an interview on the Johnny Carson Show Carson congratulated him on doing the jump. Although it must have been embarrasing to admit in front of an adoring nationwide audience, Steve corrected him, saying, "It wasn't me. That was Bud Ekins". The Movie Studio wasn't very happy that he admitted this, but Steve had too much integrity to take the credit for another man's bravery and skill."

http://www.mcqueenonline.com/tgehv.htm