Dave Sharpe

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Dave Sharpe
Born David Hardin Sharpe
2 February 1910
Flag of the United States St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Died 30 March 1980
Flag of the United States Altadena, California, United States
Occupation Stunt performer
Spouse(s) Margaret Messinger
Gertrude Messinger
Jean

Dave Sharpe (2 February 1910 - 30 March 1980 ) was an American actor and stunt performer.

He was called the "Crown Prince of Daredevils" and ranks alongside Yakima Canutt as one of Hollywood's all time greatest stuntmen. He appeared in over 5,000 films, over six decades, although most were uncredited appearances.

[edit] Biography

Sharpe won the US National Tumbling Championship in 1925 and 1926. He began his film career as a child actor in the 1920s. Eventually he became the "Ramrod" (Stunt co-ordinator) for Republic Pictures from 1939 until mid-1942 when America entered World War II. He was replaced in this role by Tom Steele while Sharpe joined the Army Air Corps in 1943. For a time, in the late 1930's, he was married to film actress Gertrude Messinger.

Sharpe was inducted into the Stuntman's Hall of Fame in 1980. He died in 1980 of Lou Gehrig's disease.

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