Ekins, acting as stunt double for Steve McQueen while filming The Great Escape, was the rider who performed what is considered to be one of the most famous motorcycle stunts ever performed in a movie. He was recognized for his stunt work by being inducted into the Stuntmen's Hall of Fame.

Who was Steve McQueen's stunt double?

James Sherwin “Bud” Ekins was his stunt double for both “The Great Escape” and “Bllitt.” While Steve McQueen apparently did most of his easier stunts, stunt men did the more difficult ones. But Ekins is the most well known of Steve McQueen's stunt doubles.

Did Steve McQueen do all the motorcycle stunts in The Great Escape?

Steve McQueen performed all of his own motorcycle stunts in The Great Escape with the exception of his characters final jump over a 6ft barbed wire fence. The final jump was performed by his stunt double, Bud Etkins [1].

Who did the stunts in The Great Escape?

Who rode the motorcycle in The Great Escape?

A live demonstration of one of the world's most iconic and valuable motorcycles - the original Triumph TR6 from the 1962 film 'The Great Escape' as ridden by Steve McQueen and Bud Ekins for the world-renowned jump - was ridden onto centre stage for the exclusive, delighted audience.

Stunt riders talk about Steve McQueen

Did Steve McQueen do his own driving in The Great Escape?

He did his own cycle stunting in "The Great Escape," explaining matter-of-factly: "What stunt man do you know who could ride that good." After he completes ''Nevada Smith," McQueen heads for Formosa to film "The Sand Pebbles," plans to take his family along.

Who performed the motorcycle jump in The Great Escape?

Ekins, acting as stunt double for Steve McQueen while filming The Great Escape, was the rider who performed what is considered to be one of the most famous motorcycle stunts ever performed in a movie. He was recognized for his stunt work by being inducted into the Stuntmen's Hall of Fame.

Which actor got away in The Great Escape?

Who were the actors who made it to freedom in the film "The Great Escape"? The three were Danny and Willie (played by Charles Bronson & John Leyton) who are seen rowing to a neutral ship, and Sedgwick (played by James Coburn) who escapes to Spain via France.

Who was the highest paid actor in The Great Escape?

Watch the trailer for The Great Escape (1963)

By then, Steve McQueen was the undisputed big name, but he was actually paid $87,500, to James Garner's $150,000. During filming he had become powerful enough to threaten to walk off the project if he wasn't given a bigger role, and he made various other ego-driven demands.

Who actually got away in The Great Escape?

There were three successful escapees: Per Bergsland, Norwegian pilot of No. 332 Squadron RAF, escapee #44. Jens Müller, Norwegian pilot of No. 331 Squadron RAF, escapee #43. Bram van der Stok, Dutch pilot of No. 41 Squadron RAF, escapee #18.

Did Steve McQueen do his own riding?

McQueen was an avid motorcycle and race car enthusiast. When he had the opportunity to drive in a movie, he performed many of his own stunts, including some of the car chases in Bullitt and the motorcycle chase in The Great Escape.

Who is the best stunt biker ever?

Evel Knievel. If anybody has a claim to being the most influential stuntman in the world, it's Evel Knievel.

How many motorcycles did Steve McQueen own?

For McQueen, racing cars and motorcycles was his way of clearing his mind. McQueen owned around 200 motorcycles. Some of these vintage bikes included: 1951 Triumph Thunderbird, 1933 Matchless Silver Hawk, 1912 Harley-Davidson X8E Big Twin, 1970 Husqvarna 400 Cross, 1915 Cyclone Boardtracker and more.

What caused Steve McQueen's death?

Actor Steve McQueen (1930-1980)

After his mesothelioma diagnosis in 1979, McQueen underwent a series of traditional and unconventional treatment options. He died of cardiac arrest in 1980.

What role did Steve McQueen turned down?

Turned down the starring roles in Dirty Harry (1971) and The French Connection (1971) because he didn't want to make any more cop movies after Bullitt (1968).

Who is Steve McQueen's grandson?

Steven R. McQueen was born on July 13, 1988 in Los Angeles, California. His father is Chad McQueen and his mother is Stacia Robitaille (married to NHL Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille). He is also the grandson of actor Steve McQueen and actress Neile Adams.

How old would Steve McQueen be today?

Today, March 24, 2023, would have been Steve McQueen's 93rd birthday! The popular '60s and '70s actor died at just 50 in 1980 after undergoing some unorthodox cancer treatments. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma and believed to be exposed to asbestos due to his love for fast cars and motorcycles.

What were the mistakes in The Great Escape?

Factual errors

The airmen did not pack overnight bags for their missions. The film shows the executions being carried out by uniformed German troops using a Spandau machine gun. In reality, the executions were done by Gestapo agents who used pistols at close range.

Did Steve McQueen do his own stunts in The Great Escape?

He deftly manages the first leap, but has his tires shot out before he can attempt the second jump, at which point he would've been home free into Switzerland. Worshiped as a man's man of an actor, McQueen prided himself on performing his own stunts.

How much of The Great Escape was true?

The Great Escape plays as much like a heist as a prison break. For the most part, however, it's a broadly accurate retelling of how, in March 1944, 76 POWs tunnelled their way out of Stalag Luft III. According to historian Guy Walters, author of The Real Great Escape, it's the tone that's wrong.

Are any of The Great Escape actors still alive?

David McCallum - David McCallum played the role of Lieutenant Commander Eric Ashley-Pitt, known as "Dispersal." David McCallum is still alive as of today and is known for his role as Dr.

Did Steve McQueen drive the motorcycle in The Great Escape?

Bud Ekins prepared and choreographed the bulk of the chase, and McQueen did most of his own riding. McQueen was a better driver than many of the stuntmen playing Germans, so he put on an SS uniform for some of these scenes and chased himself. As Hilts, he rode a 1962 650cc Triumph TR6R.

Who was the mastermind of The Great Escape?

The mastermind of the Great Escape was Squadron Leader Roger Bushell. Described by his Commanding Officer as 'one of the greatest of his generation', Bushell was born and brought up in South Africa but went to school in England, studied law at Cambridge and became a London barrister.

Was Fonzie's motorcycle used in The Great Escape?

In later seasons, it was a mildly 'bobbed' Triumph Trophy 500. As he could not ride, Henry Winkler says that he learned on the same Triumph 650 6T ridden (and jumped) by Bud Ekins in 'The Great Escape' and ended up stuffing it under a truck.