Bobby Bass (occasionally Bob Bass) (August 6, 1936 in California – November 7, 2001) was an American actor, stunt performer, and stunt coordinator/second unit director.
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Bass, a graduate of Morningside High School in Inglewood, California, was an enthusiast of the martial arts. As a teenager, he became a judo champion, meeting Gene LeBell who introduced him to the stunt industry in Hollywood. [1]
Bass made a career in movies and television in a variety of genres working with Burt Reynolds, Sylvester Stallone, and John Wayne. He taught martial arts and weapons handling to Geena Davis, Michael Douglas, Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Susan Sarandon, and Kathleen Turner. Bass appeared in TV commercials and TV series such as Fantasy Island, McGyver, Mission: Impossible, Star Trek: The Original Series, The A-Team, and The Twilight Zone.[2]
Bass also championed safer working conditions for the stunt industry, especially after Melanie Griffith's best friend, Heidi von Beltz[3] was paralyzed performing a scene in 1980, and after Vic Morrow's 1982 death.[4]
Bass was married to Norma Collins - hairdresser to Ann-Margaret - until his death in Los Angeles from Parkinson's Disease. His children include stepson Colin Bass (born Colin Collins) - bassist of the progrock band Camel[5] - and three stepdaughters (including American actress Bo Derek).[2][6]