Loftin was born on january 31st, 1914 in blountstown, florida and broke into movie stunt work in the late 1930s. Bradleys driver, duel 1971 the truck driver, thunder in carolina 1960 in which he plays tommy webb, the promise 1979 as truck driver, city heat 1984, and walking tall 1973. The movie was directed by steven spielberg and was based on a short story written by richard matheson. It starred dennis weaver as an average motorist terrorized by a crazed bigrig driver played by stunt driver carey loftin, who is never clearly identified. Loftin was born on january thirtyfirst, 1914 in blountstown, florida and broke into movie stunt work in the late 1930s. See, weavers driving to this meeting and he pisses off a truck. March 4, 1997 also credited as cary loftin was an american actor and stuntman. Carey loftin and william carey loftin was an american stuntman, stunt coordinator and actor. In a lengthy career spanning 61 years, his body of work included classic films such as. He did stunt driving for the main characters trucks in b.
He was one of the stunt drivers in the famed carchase scene in the 1968 steve mcqueen film bullitt. The truck driver is the main antagonist of the 1971 short story duel by the late richard matheson, and the 1971 television film of the same name, which is steven spielbergs first directed film. Here are a few pics of cary loftin, the truck driver. Old tractors first start in many years diesel engine cold start after years duration. He was one of the stunt drivers in the famed carchase scene in the 1968. Carey loftin worked out logistics behind the scenes. And when talking about stunt drivers it would be hard not to mention carey loftin, the man behind many of the most memorable drives. It stars dennis weaver, who plays a terrified motorist stalked on a remote and lonely road by the unseen driver of a mysterious tanker truck. The truck plunges over the cliff, along with the car. It will be on display saturday at a truck show near lincolnton. Spielberg also enlisted 50year stunt veteran carey loftin as his stunt coordinator. I saw this movie on american movie classics one of those movies that you watch and have to watch the whole movie to find out who the truck driver was.
The movie was good but who was the truck driver and what guy was he in the. Arguably hollywoods greatest ever stunt rider driver, carey loftin s amazing stunt skills were utilized in hundreds of hollywood productions over a period of 50 years. Pictures of the truck driver pictures of the truck driver. He also acted as a truck driver in stroker ace and his face was never seen, as in duel but not as a villain. Carey loftin one of the best movie stunt drivers liked to.
Duel is a 1971 american action thriller film written by richard matheson, which is based on his own short story. Carey loftin was the finest stunt driver in hollywood for many years. American motion picture actor and stuntman of the 1930s thru 1980s. The truck driver is the main antagonist of the 1971 television film duel, which is steven spielbergs first directed film. Carey loftin, the greatest stunt driver ever as a truck driver. Here is loftin with 0286 while green the rear vents are a dead give a way to what car this is. Carey loftin one of the best movie stunt drivers liked. Steven spielberg said that the multiple license plates on the front bumper of the truck suggested that the truck driver is a serial killer which ran down other drivers in other states. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial. Carey loftin was an american actor, and stunt carey loftin was born on january 31st, in blountstown, florida, united states. Also on the set of maximum overdrivehe was one of two crey drivers, along with tommy j. As an actor, carey loftin has been seen in movies such as patton, released in 1970 as gen. Stunt driver actor bill hickman piloted the charger.
Truck driving jobs in penrose co his last major role was in black dog for the main characters truck he did the stunt driving for. Dec 10, 2019 include my email in message to volunteers. Duel the truck drivers identity revealed new theory. Though we know stunt driver carey loftin of bullitt fame was behind the wheel, the truck driver is never seen in the film, giving it a hint of the supernatural. Carey loftin and one of his bizzarrini gt 5300s, photo courtesy of dave loftin from darren frank. Upcoming, new, and past carey loftin movies, tv shows, tv movies, appearances, specials, and more plus, a biography, news, awards, and nominations. Arguably hollywoods greatest stunt driver ever, carey loftin s amazing driving and stunt skills were utilized in dozens of hollywood productions over a period of nearly half a century.
He did all the stunt driving in the turbo charged diesel truck. Duel the truck drivers identity revealed new theory youtube. Peterbilt tanker from movie duel on farm near lincolnton. Loftin was also the truck driver in duel and the wild ferrari scene in aginst all odds he was 68 years old when he took that job. Although it appears the truck is driving at a recklessly unsafe speed along the winding california roads, it is actually not going more than 30 mph. The acclaimed stunt driving in the 1971 drivein cult favorite vanishing point was also performed by loftin. It is the feature fulllength directorial debut of american director, producer, and screenwriter steven spielberg, and is distributed by universal pictures. It ends in a firey crash as the truck goes over the side of vasquez canyon road at mystery mesa. The legendary hollywood stunt doubles who make movies more. Have you ever looked at just how many m carey loftin duel. Loftin played the psychotic trucker, although the only part of him you see in the film are his hands and feet. Loftin had a special forte for driving semitrucks, a real gearjammer, as shown in the movie as he makes the 1955 peterbilt 281 move like a jaguar while chasing its plymouth prey throughout the film. May 07, 2016 steven spielberg said that the multiple license plates on the front bumper of the truck suggested that the truck driver is a serial killer which ran down other drivers in other states. Carey loftin drove the truck that killed edith keeler in the star trek episode, the city on the edge of forever.
Loftin eventually semiretired in 1991 at age 77 after doing pink lightning 1991, although he still took minor stunt roles as a truck driver. The legendary hollywood stunt doubles who make movies more exciting. Well, i wasnt going to argue, so i said, okay, fine. Loftin performed some of the exciting driving scenes for steve mcqueen in bullitt and was the truck driver in steven spielberg s duel. Moments later, the truck is back, dangerously tailgating mann before abruptly cutting him off. Probably hollywoods greatest stunt driver ever, carey loftins amazing driving and stunt skills were employed in a large number of hollywood productions more than an interval of nearly half of a century. Jun 30, 2019 the same can be said about stunt people. You need a find a grave account to add things to this site. Loftin was created on january 31st, 1914 in blountstown, florida and broke into film stunt function in the past due 1930s. One of his most famous roles was as the truck driver in steven spielberg s duel, although his face is never seen.
For the next 90 minutes, mann and the neverseen truckdriver are pitted against one another in a motorized duel to the death. By tim tal duel was a notveryfamousthen steven spielbergs first full feature film. William carey loftin was an american professional stuntman, stunt coordinator and actor in the u. Duel the best bits of film trivia the tanker driver. Carey loftin the mohammad ali of stunt drivers jesus. He is considered to be one of the film industrys most accomplished stunt drivers. Aug 19, 2016 carey loftin made a lifelong career of bringing the visions of some of the greatest film directors in history to life as a stunt driver. He is often considered to be hollywoods greatest stunt driver, and his talents were used in dozens of films. It stars dennis weaver as a terrified motorist stalked on a remote and lonely road by the mostly unseen driver of a mysterious tanker truck. Loftin also had acting roles in a few movies and tv shows.
As a tribute to the intense car and truck chase movie, ive put together a list of 10 fun facts that you might not know. Duel is a 1971 television and later fulllength theatrical thriller film directed by steven spielberg and written by richard matheson, based on mathesons short story of the same name. Here aer a few pics of cary loftin, the truck driver. Author richard matheson conceived duel after a similar experience with a reckless trucker. Weavers even more of an annoying wuss because he puts up his leg in a very pseudomacho way while on the phone. And its a lot, but duel can get through it because its so wellmade.
He died on tuesday, march 4th, 1997 at the age of eightythree 83 in huntington beach, california, united states. Duel is a 1971 television and later fulllength theatrical thriller film directed by steven spielberg in his fulllength film directing debut and written by richard matheson, based on mathesons short story of the same name. Carey loftin and his three bizzarrinis ferrarichat. The truck driver was played by carey loftin, and when he asked spielberg what his motivation was for tormenting weaver, spielberg said to him, youre a dirty, rotten, nogood son of a bitch. It stars dennis weaver as a terrified motorist stalked on a remote and lonely desert highway by the mostly unseen, psychotic driver of a mysterious tanker truck. Truck collector brad wike with the 1960 peterbilt used in filming the movie duel. His last major role was in black dog for the main characters truck. Dennis weaver drove a plymouth valiant and the truck from the movie duel was a 1955 peterbilt 281 driven by carey loftin.
Loftin, who played the driver, also designed the legendary car chase sequences in vanishing point, bullitt, and. I just found and bought white line fever and sure enough right there in the credits was good ol carey loftin. Feb, 2008 i just found and bought white line fever and sure enough right there in the credits was good ol carey loftin. Jun 05, 2016 old tractors first start in many years diesel engine cold start after years duration. Cary loftin, carry loftin, carey lofton, william carey loftin was an american professional stuntman, stunt coordinator and actor in the u. You may not recognize the name, or if you do its vague and fuzzy from sitting in the back log of your memory bank, but you will most definitely recognize his portfolio.
William carey loftin january 31, 1914 march 4, 1997. Spielberg praised how the truck was handled in an exceptionally safe manner by 50 year old stunt driver carey loftin. The car chase in against all odds, where he was the driver of the black ferrari, was made when he was 68 years old. Spielberg had seven trucks to choose from, all lined in a row, and he picked a 1955 peterbilt 281 tanker, the smallest of the trucks. As for acting and stunt roles, loftin is best remembered as the faceless driver in duel 1971.
He is the nameless and unseen driver of a large rusty 1955 peterbilt 281 gasoline tanker truck. Carey loftin inducted to the motorcycle museums hall of fame 2001 exspeedway racer who found great success in movie stunt work in the 1930s and 40s. The story is about a salesman, david mann dennis weaver, who hits the road on business, and his trip turns into hell, when a psycho driver in a giant 40 ton truck starts to terrorize him on a. In a lengthy career spanning 61 years, his body of work included classic films. Loftin semiretired in 1991 at age 77 after doing pink lightning, although he still took minor stunt roles as a truck driver. Loftin was created on january 31st, 1914 in blountstown, florida and broke into film stunt function in the later 1930s. Mcqueens stint as a stunt driver didnt last long, however. It is the feature fulllength directorial debut of american director, producer, and screenwriter steven spielberg, and is distributed by universal pictures dennis weaver portrays david mann, a business commuter from california driving a plymouth valiant while on his way. Veteran stunt coordinator carey loftin designed the chase, plotting a course along a variety of city avenues and landmarks.
Duel the best bits of film trivia the tanker driver was. Duel book duel crew duel general info duel location hunters duel locations duel movie duel phenomenon duel soundtrack duel truck duel truck model editor enric folch fan made fan pages gab stifani george eckstein goofs and trivia indiewire jack a. Add video add image duel is a 1971 television and later fulllength theatrical film directed by steven spielberg and written by richard matheson, based on his short story. Jan 15, 2018 arguably hollywoods greatest stunt driver ever, carey loftin s amazing driving and stunt skills were utilized in dozens of hollywood productions over a period of nearly half a century. He was the main driver for steve mcqueen in bullitt. Cary loftin, carry loftin, carey lofton, gary loftin, william carey loftin was an american professional stuntman, stunt coordinator and actor in the u. Oct 01, 2014 the movie was directed by steven spielberg and was based on a short story written by richard matheson. His stunt credits span six decades and over a hundred films and television shows. Duel was one of stephen spielbergs first films, and it was an incredible start to what would would become an amazing filmmaking career.
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