Gary McLarty

Gary McLarty

Born: January 16, 1941
Died: October 11, 2014
in North Hollywood, California, USA
Gary McLarty (January 16, 1941 – October 11, 2014) was an American stunt performer and stunt coordinator for film and television. His abilities earned him the nickname "Whiz Kid" in Hollywood. McLarty performed stunts in over 150 films between 1966 and 2004, among them The Wild Bunch, Little Big Man, The Longest Yard, Blade Runner, The Terminator, Jurassic Park, Heat, and Collateral.

He was in the helicopter, as a stunt coordinator, when actor Vic Morrow and two children died in an accident on a "Twilight Zone" movie set. In the subsequent trial, McLarty testified that, prior to the accident, he had warned director John Landis that the stunt was too dangerous. In 1991 McLarty shot and killed his roommate. McLarty was cleared of all charges when the Deputy District Attorney determined that it was a clear case of justifiable homicide. On the Friday before as part of a bizarre series of events another man had been fatally shot by Sheriff's deputies at McLarty's Lake View Terrace ranch. McLarty's house also caught on fire and burned down during the same incident. McLarty semi-retired from stunt work in 2004. The following year, he testified at the murder trial of actor Robert Blake, testifying that Blake offered him $10,000 to murder Blake's wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley; McLarty declined. Bakley was fatally shot in Blake's car outside a restaurant in May 2001. Blake was thought by most to be the actual murderer, but was acquitted in a 2005 criminal trial.

McLarty died on October 11, 2014 when a pickup truck driven by fellow stuntman Bob Orrison making a U-turn was broadsided by a Jeep Cherokee in Rancho Cordova, California, USA. Both stuntmen were killed instantly. The two persons in the Jeep Cherokee were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

Movies for Gary McLarty...

Hard to Kill
Title: Hard to Kill
Character: Shotgun Man
Released: February 9, 1990
Type: Movie
Mason Storm, a 'go it alone' cop, is gunned down at home. The intruders kill his wife, and think they've killed both Mason and his son too. Mason is secretly taken to a hospital where he spends several years in a coma. His son meanwhile is growing up thinking his father is dead. When Mason wakes up, everyone is in danger - himself, his son, his best friend, his nurse - but most of all those who arranged for his death
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Title: Airwolf
Character: Truck Driver
Released: January 22, 1984
Type: TV
As part of a deal with an intelligence agency to look for his missing brother, a renegade pilot goes on missions with an advanced battle helicopter.
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Cannery Row
Title: Cannery Row
Character: Frat Boy #7
Released: February 12, 1982
Type: Movie
Doc, who has just moved to Cannery Row, realizes that the only entertainment is the brothel. There he meets the spunky Suzy and they fall in love, giving them both a renewed chance at life.
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...All the Marbles
Title: ...All the Marbles
Character: Thug
Released: March 1, 1981
Type: Movie
A two-bit promoter tries to take a women's wrestling team to the top.
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The Blues Brothers
Title: The Blues Brothers
Character: Man in Toy Store
Released: June 16, 1980
Type: Movie
Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts his old band back together to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.
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Hooper
Title: Hooper
Character: Indian (uncredited)
Released: July 28, 1978
Type: Movie
Legendary stunt man Sonny Hooper remains one of the top men in his field, but due to too many stressful impacts to the spine and the need to pop painkillers several times a day, he knows he should get out of the industry before he ends up permanently disabled.
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Mayday at 40,000 Feet
Title: Mayday at 40,000 Feet
Character: Carmichael
Released: April 29, 1977
Type: Movie
The co-pilot and engineer of a passenger jet struggle to keep the plane airborne after a marshal onboard, transporting a murderer to prison, has a heart attack and the killer uses his gun to shoot the captain and blow out the hydraulics.
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Title: "Mitchell"!
Character: Mistretta's Hood
Released: September 10, 1975
Type: Movie
A tough-guy cop pursues two drug runners across the city to bust a large syndicate. Very much an anti-hero, Mitchell often ignores the orders of his superiors and demonstrates disdain for by-the-book development work as well as normal social graces.
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Dirty Mary Crazy Larry
Title: Dirty Mary Crazy Larry
Character: Trooper
Released: May 17, 1974
Type: Movie
Down-on-their-luck racers Larry and Deke steal from a supermarket manager to buy a car that will help them advance their racing chances. Their escape does not go as planned when Larry's one-night stand, Mary, tags along for the ride.
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Sometimes a Great Notion
Title: Sometimes a Great Notion
Released: December 17, 1971
Type: Movie
Hank Stamper and his father, Henry, own and operate the family business by cutting and shipping logs in Oregon. The town is furious when they continue working despite the town going broke and the other loggers go on strike ordering the Stampers to stop, however Hank continues to push his family on cutting more trees. Hank's wife wishes he would stop and hopes that they can spend more time together. When Hank's half brother Leland comes to work for them, more trouble starts.