Bob Yerkes, a legendary Hollywood stuntman, has died at the age of 92. 

The news of Yerkes's passing was revealed, in a Facebook message, by Darlene Ava Williams, one of his mentees, on Oct. 1, 2024.

"I am horribly sad to hear that my mentor and stunt coach Bob Yerkes passed away this morning in Northridge, California," Williams wrote.

As of the time of this writing, the details of Yerkes's passing have not been made public.

Who was Bob Yerkes?

The word "legend" gets thrown around a lot these days, but, in the case of Yerkes, it actually is appropriate.

The Daily Caller reports that Yerkes spent seven decades in the entertainment industry, performing stunts for some of Hollywood's best-known actors, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Paul Newman, and many others.

The outlet goes on to provide some examples of Yerkes's work, writing:

Yerkes served as a stunt double for Christopher Lloyd in the iconic scene that saw him slide down a clock tower cable in the hit 1985 film, “Back to the Future.” He flew as intergalactic bounty hunter Boba Fett in the 1983 film “Star Trek: Return of the Jedi” and the stunt was filmed in his backyard. He doubled as Schwarzenegger in “Commando,” as well as Eli Wallach in “Tough Guys.”

Yerkes, over the years, did experience his fair share of injuries. This includes breaking both legs during one stunt for the 1975 film Breakout. 

The New York Post reports, "He was a Hall of Fame inductee and received a lifetime achievement award from the World Acrobatic Society."

"Opened the door"

When he was not performing stunts, Yerkes was well known for helping others who wanted to follow in his footsteps.

"Bobby opened the door to his home and backyard to everyone that either needed a place to stay or to train for a job. Bobby knew my parents before I was born and knew me as a kid growing up in the circus," Williams, in her post, wrote.

She added, "At one time, long before me, my dad and Bob performed in a flying trapeze act together in the circus. As a kid I remember visiting his backyard. I remember watching him train celebrities and stunt people."

Yerkes was known as a skilled trapeze artist and tightrope walker in the Circus.

"There will never be another Bob Yerkes! My heart is broken. I am proud and honored to have known him. He was a true legend!" Williams concluded.