Kerry Rossall

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Kerry Rossall
Rossall in 2017
Born (1947-06-23) June 23, 1947 (age 76)
Burbank, California, U.S.
EducationJames Monroe High School
Alma materCalifornia Western University
Occupations
  • Stunt coordinator
  • stunt performer
  • actor
  • film producer
Years active1975–present
Known for
Notable credits
ParentFrederick J. Rossall

Kerry Darrell Rossall (born June 23, 1947) is an American stunt coordinator, stuntman, actor and film producer known for three Taurus World Stunt nominations for Apocalypse Now Redux (2001). He appeared in the films Apocalypse Now (1979), They Live (1988), The Crow: City of Angels (1996), Tomorrow You're Gone (2012) and produced the films Friend of the World (2020) and Movin' Too Fast (2006).

Early life[edit]

Rossall was born in Burbank[1] to Frederick J. Rossall of Sepulveda, California.[2] He grew up in the San Fernando Valley[1] and was a Boy Scout recipient of the God and Country award.[3] Rossall attended James Monroe High School[2] and was on the track team for pole vaulting[4] and played American football.[5] During his summer time in college, he surfed in Hawaii while studying as an economics major[1] at California Western University.[2]

After graduating, Rossall traveled to Europe and continued to surf. Upon his return, he had met stuntman Terry Leonard while working as a ski patrolman at Mammoth Mountain. Rossall was accepted to the Naval Aviation Program in Pensacola, Florida for Marine Corps boot camp and was learning to be a pilot when the Vietnam War ended. His aeronautics training helped prepare him for a career in the film industry.[1] Despite being credited among stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, he has remained out of the news for most of his career.[6] Rossall resides in Carlsbad, California.[7]

Career[edit]

1975–1979[edit]

After they met in Mammoth, Terry Leonard asked Rossall if he wanted to work on The Wind and the Lion in Spain. Rossall agreed and got along with the director John Milius after discovering he surfed in Malibu. The next project for Milius was writing a script for Francis Ford Coppola. Rossall got involved after Leonard was signed on as the stunt coordinator.[1]

Apocalypse Now[edit]

Main article: Apocalypse Now

Rossall said his career in stunts and acting took off on the set of Apocalypse Now when he and Steve Boyum were initially there to double as a pair of surfers. Coppola was amused enough by their talent that he fired the original actors after the four of them had a surf-off.[1] Rossall described the helicopter explosion[8] sequence as the most dangerous. He was the lookout for himself and three other stuntmen. It was an expensive shot in which Rossall injured his shoulder, hit is head and caught on fire. He claimed that working with Coppola was inviting and that each day after filming, he would play racquetball with Robert Duvall who he also tried to teach how to surf.[1] On screen, Rossall played "Mike from San Diego" and advises Bill Kilgore about Charlie's point, in which the Duvall's character responds, "Charlie don't surf!"[9][10][11] Rossall was on the film set for over 6 months, involved in 5 of the 6 crucial stunts and worked on every major action sequence.[1]

Following a rerelease in 2001 called Apocalypse Now Redux, Rossall shared Taurus World Stunt Awards nominations alongside stunt performers Terry Leonard, Steve Boyum and Joe Finnegan for 3 stunts in the film: Best Fire Stunt, Best Water Work, and Best Work With a Vehicle.[12]

1986–1998[edit]

While filming Cobra, Rossall was doubling as a bad guy driver. While doing a test run, he was supposed stop a van 30 feet away from actress Brigitte Nielsen. His foot got tangled in some cables that had fallen from the dashboard and he braked too late. When the van stopped, it was 25 feet over its mark, a near fatal stunt that almost killed Nielsen. During the actual take, Rossall hit cement at 20 miles per hour, cracking his sternum and breaking his passenger's back.[1]

During the filming of Babylon 5, actress Claudia Christian recalled Rossall choreographing a fight scene for the episode "Eyes" when he intentionally hit his head on a piece of cloth thought to be padded. A metal object underneath caused Rossall's head to swell and bleed, resulting in a noticeable lump.[13]

2006: Movin' Too Fast[edit]

Main article: Movin' Too Fast (film)

Rossall produced the action film Movin' Too Fast written and directed by Eric Chambers. The film was completed in 2006 with Artist View Entertainment and starred Layla Alexander, Marquita Terry and Matthew Glave.[14]

Rossall and Brian Patrick Butler at the Oceanside International Film Festival in 2017

2008–2013[edit]

Rossall met actor Don Handfield at a gas station after noticing Handfield's car had a camera mounted to it. He was later brought into Handfield's directorial project Driver's Ed as Second Unit Director. It was then pitched to Broken Lizard as a web series, but was eventually released as a television deal.[15]

Justified[edit]

Main article: Justified (TV series)

On February 3, 2011, Rossall was the stunt coordinator while filming an episode of the TV show Justified. At approximately 1:30 a.m., stunt performer Lisa Hoyle was knocked unconscious when a parked car rolled over her ankle after being hit by another car. She and another stunt performer said they were never informed that the car they were near would be involved in the stunt. She claimed she was getting food during the meeting in which the stunt was being explained. On February 1, 2013, Hoyle filed a lawsuit against Sony Pictures in which she says the incident wrecked her body and ruined her marriage. Rossall and Hoyle's husband, now divorced, were among the defendants in the case.[16][17][18] Rossall had also organized a phone meeting about the stunt, but both performers allegedly were not informed of that call.[19]

When I find that I'm afraid before performing any stunt, it tells me that further preparation is necessary.[1]

2017–2020: Friend of the World[edit]

Main article: Friend of the World

In 2017, Rossall was the executive producer for the independent film Friend of the World written and directed by Brian Patrick Butler and starring Nick Young and Alexandra Slade. It was made in San Diego, premiered at the Oceanside International Film Festival in 2020 and was nominated for two San Diego Film Awards before it was distributed by Troma Entertainment[7] and Cineverse.[20] Video Librarian deemed it one of their Best Narrative Films of 2022.[21]

Filmography[edit]

Film
Year Title Stunts Actor Producer Notes
1975 The Wind and the Lion Yes No No uncredited
1979 Apocalypse Now Yes Yes No Mike from San Diego
1941 Yes No No
1980 In God We Tru$t Yes No No Stand-in
1982 Turkey Shoot Yes Yes No Officer arresting Chris
1983 Blue Thunder Yes No No
Christine Yes No No Stand-in
1984 Breakin' Yes No No Stand-in
Riptide Yes No No
Red Dawn Yes No No Stand-in
Starman Yes No No Stand-in
1986 Cobra Yes No No Stand-in[1]
Never Too Young to Die Coordinator No No Stand-in
1987 Death Before Dishonor Coordinator No No Stand-in
Dragnet Yes No No Stand-in
Dudes Yes No No Stand-in
Big Shots Yes No No Stand-in
1988 Shakedown Yes No No Stand-in
Rambo III Yes No No Stand-in
Spellbinder Yes No No Stand-in
They Live No Yes No 2nd Unit Guard
Moonwalker Yes No No
1989 The Abyss Yes No No Stand-in
Breaking Point Yes No No
Conquering Space Yes No No Short film
Captain Power: The Beginning Coordinator No No
1990 Genuine Risk Yes No No Stand-in
The Rookie Yes No No Stand-in
1991 Delta Force 3: The Killing Game Coordinator No No 2nd unit director
Flight of the Intruder Yes No No Stand-in
1993 Babylon 5: The Gathering Coordinator No No
1994 The Hard Truth Yes No No
1995 Automatic Yes No No
Die Hard with a Vengeance Yes No No
1996 The Crow: City of Angels Yes Yes No Zeke
1997 The End of Violence Yes Yes No Featured Performer
She's So Lovely Coordinator No No
Air Force One Yes No No
1998 Running Woman Yes No No
Babylon 5: In the Beginning Yes No No
City of Angels Yes No No
Six Days Seven Nights Yes Yes No Yacht Owner (uncredited)
Babylon 5: Thirdspace Coordinator No No
Blade Yes No No
Finding Graceland Yes No No
Rush Hour Yes No No
Babylon 5: The River of Souls Coordinator No No
Wanted Yes No No
1999 Babylon 5: A Call to Arms Coordinator No No
The Limey Yes No No
Crusade Coordinator No No
Ride with the Devil Yes No No
2000 The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle Yes No No
2001 Ocean's Eleven Yes Yes No Flashback Security Guard (uncredited)
2002 Local Boys Yes No No
Road to Perdition Yes Yes No Rooney's Henchman (uncredited)
2003 The Life of David Gale Coordinator No No
2 Fast 2 Furious Yes No No
American Wedding Coordinator No No
Bad Santa Yes Yes No Policeman
Timeline Yes No No
The Haunted Mansion Yes No No
2004 The Last Ride Yes No No
The Terminal Yes No No
Meet the Fockers Yes No No
2005 Movin' Too Fast Coordinator No Yes 2nd unit director
2006 Alpha Dog Coordinator No No [22]
10th & Wolf Coordinator No No
Mission: Impossible III Yes No No [23]
Poseidon Yes No No
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift Yes No No
World Trade Center Yes No No
2007 Blades of Glory Yes Yes No Fire Extinguisher
Slipstream Yes No No Double
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry Yes No No
2008 Semi-Pro Yes No No
Spy School Coordinator No No
Get Smart Yes No No Double
Adventures in Appletown Coordinator No No
2009 Driver's Ed No No No 2nd unit director
Without a Paddle: Nature's Calling Coordinator No No
2010 Gulliver's Travels Yes No No
2011 The Muppets Yes No No
2012 This Means War Yes No No
Music High Consultant No No
Tomorrow You're Gone Yes Yes No Chaney
2013 Gangster Squad Yes No No
InAPPropriate Comedy Yes No No
Deep Dark Canyon Coordinator No No
12 Years a Slave Yes No No
2014 The Judge Yes No No Double for Robert Duvall
2015 La Migra Yes No No Safety consultant
2016 Sully Yes No No
Masterminds 2nd unit coordinator Yes No Trunk Hostage (uncredited)
2018 First Timers No No Yes Short film
2020 Friend of the World No No Executive
Television
Year Title Stunts Actor Notes
1983 The A-Team Yes No Episode: "Mexican Slayride"
1984 Knight Rider Yes No Van Driver #1 (uncredited)
1985 Hunter Yes No Eddie Marx
1988 Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future Yes Yes Jack[24]
Santa Barbara Yes Yes Biker (2 episodes)
1994-1998 Babylon 5 Coordinator No 111 episodes
1998-1999 Walker, Texas Ranger Yes Yes Bad Guy, Mace, Joe Martin
2000-2001 The Fugitive Coordinator No 14 episodes
2001 The Agency Coordinator No
2010 Hawthorne Coordinator No 4 episodes
2010-2011 Justified Coordinator No 10 episodes
Accolades
Festival Year Title Award Result Notes
Taurus World Stunt Awards 2002 Apocalypse Now Redux Best Fire Nominated shared with Steve Boyum, Joe Finnegan, Terry Leonard[12]
Best Work with a Vehicle Nominated
Best Water Work Nominated shared with Steve Boyum[12]
San Diego Film Awards 2020 Friend of the World Best Narrative Feature Film Nominated shared with Brian Patrick Butler and Luke Pensabene

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Brouwer, Alexandra (1990). Working in Hollywood (1st ed.). New York: Crown Publishers. pp. 144–153. ISBN 0517574012 – via Internet Archive.
  2. ^ a b c Metlova, Maria (1969-01-26). June Date Set. Van Nuys Valley News And Green Sheet, 23.
  3. ^ (1961-10-15). God, Country Medals Given 6 Boy Scouts. Van Nuys Valley News And Green Sheet, 50.
  4. ^ (1963-07-15). Monroe High Slates One More Meet. Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, 16.
  5. ^ Carleton, Herb (1965-10-31). Hobbled Husky. Van Nuys Valley News And Green Sheet, 51.
  6. ^ Kantor, Jonathan H. (September 28, 2022). "The Only Actors Still Alive From The Cast Of Apocalypse Now". Looper. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Elling, Regina (October 18, 2022). "Sunset Cliffs adds touch of beauty to apocalyptic San Diego-made film 'Friend of the World'". Point Loma-OB Monthly. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  8. ^ Setlowe, Rick (December 6, 1996). "Stunt gags leave auds speechless". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  9. ^ "Irony in Film - Page 194 - Google Books Result". books.google.com.
  10. ^ "Apocalypse Now Redux (1979)". vernonjohns.org. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ^ "Surfing Films and Videos: Adolescent Fun, Alternative Lifestyle, Adventure Industry" (PDF). library.la84.org.
  12. ^ a b c "2002 taurus world stunt awards - Winners & Nominees". Taurus World Stunt Awards.
  13. ^ Killick, Jane (1998). Signs and Portents (Babylon 5: Season by Season, Book 1) (1st ed.). New York: Ballantine Pub. Group. p. 134. ISBN 9780345424471.
  14. ^ "Movin' Too Fast". The Film Catalogue. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  15. ^ Macaulay, Scott (August 14, 2008). "25 NEW FACES UPDATE #5". Filmmaker Magazine.
  16. ^ "'Justified' Stuntwoman Sues Sony Over On-Set Injury". Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin. February 2, 2013.
  17. ^ Reynolds, Matt (February 5, 2013). "First, Tell Her About the Stunt". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  18. ^ Kirby, Brandon (February 1, 2013). "'Justified' Stuntwoman Sues Sony Over On-Set Injury". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  19. ^ Flaherty, Scott (February 4, 2013). "Sony, 'Justified' Producers Sued Over Stuntwoman's Injuries". Law360. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  20. ^ Brewer, Mac (June 16, 2023). "Brian Patrick Butler's "Friend of the World" is now available on Cineverse". Horror Society. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  21. ^ Madden, Caroline; Lambert, Isadora (March 4, 2023). "Best Narrative Films of 2022". Video Librarian. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  22. ^ Chang, Justin (January 28, 2006). "Review: 'Alpha Dog'". Variety. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  23. ^ "Cast and Crew". Hollywood Jesus. Archived from the original on June 4, 2013.
  24. ^ Barr, Greg (1987-10-02). The show that can be zapped. The Ottawa Citizen, 61.

External links[edit]

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