List of people who died in set related accidents
A list of hard working cast and crew members, who sadly met their makers in a film set related accident, or when working on a show.
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- Actor
- Additional Crew
Born on February 1, 1965 to Bruce Lee (Martial Arts idol) and Linda Lee Cadwell. Brother to Shannon Lee. In 1970-71, they moved to Hong Kong, where Brandon lived until age eight, becoming fluent in Cantonese. By the time he was able to walk, he was already involved in learning about martial arts from his father.
Brandon attended high school in Los Angeles, where he realized that he had also inherited acting ability along with his martial arts skills. In 1983, he was expelled from school because of misbehavior, but received his diploma at Miraleste High School. He continued his education and interest in acting at Emerson College in Massachusetts, where he majored in theatre. Having chosen an acting career, he studied at the Strasberg Academy, with Eric Morris in New York and in Los Angeles, and in Lynette Katselas' class in Los Angeles.
His first professional job as an actor came at age twenty, when casting director Lynn Stalmaster asked him to read for a CBS television film, Kung Fu: The Movie (1986). Lee's first role in a feature film was Legacy of Rage (1986) (aka "Legacy of Rage" (1986)) for D.M. Films of Hong Kong, followed by a co-starring role in Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991). He was also in Rapid Fire (1992), and The Crow (1994). He turned down offers to be in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993).
Brandon died (while filming) at the age of 28, of what is to be believed, a brain hemorrhage on the set of The Crow (1994). The film crew shot a scene in which it was decided to use a gun without consent from the weapons coordinator, who had been sent home early that night. They handed Michael Massee the gun loaded with full power blanks and shot the scene, unaware that a bullet had become dislodged from a previous shot and had lodged itself in the barrel. Upon shooting of the scene the blank round forced the bullet out the barrel striking Brandon Lee. The crew only noticed when Lee was slow getting up. The doctors worked desperately for five hours, but it was no use. The bullet had lodged itself in Mr Lee's lower spine. He was pronounced dead at 1:04 P.M. the next day. He was supposed to marry Eliza Hutton on April 17, 1993. His body was flown to Seattle to be buried beside his father in Lake View Cemetery.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Vic Morrow was born in the Bronx, New York, to Jean (Kress) and Harry Morrow, an electrical engineer. His parents were Russian Jewish immigrants. Morrow dropped out of high school at 17 to join the U.S. Navy. When he left the Navy, he used the G.I. Bill to study pre-law at Florida State. While Morrow was working on his degree in Law, he also took part in a school play and found that he preferred stage acting to courtroom acting. When he went to New York, Morrow enrolled in the Actors' Workshop to improve his skills. After graduating, he was cast in the summer stock production of "A Streetcar Named Desire". His screen debut came when he was signed by MGM to play a tough-talking, surly street punk in Blackboard Jungle (1955). The good news was that he was now in the movies, but the bad news was that he became typecast as a heavy. Disappointed with this situation, Morrow left MGM after a few years and headed back to school to study directing at USC. He made some appearances on television and in 1962 found a role that brought him fame and made him the "hero": the TV series Combat! (1962), in which he played Sgt. Chip Saunders, veteran squad leader. Due to his demands, the show quickly went from an alternating showcase between platoon leader Lt. Hanley (Rick Jason) and Sgt. Saunders to one featuring mainly Saunders. With the success of the show, Morrow put to use what he had learned at USC and directed some episodes. In 1965 he and his wife divorced, and two years later the series ended. These two events put him into a personal and professional slide. By 1969 he began almost a decade of making made-for-TV movies, with an occasional foray into features. Most of his roles, though, put him back as a "heavy", although he did have a good part as a tough L.A. cop going up against out-of-town mobsters in a two-part episode of Police Story (1973) that was later released as a telefeature. While he worked in the theater and looked forward to the big screen, most of his roles were in "B" pictures such as Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974) and Treasure of Matecumbe (1976). He got good reviews playing Walter Matthau's nemesis in the hit comedy The Bad News Bears (1976), but was not involved in any of the following sequels, and he seemed to be stuck in a rut of "B" features and average made-for-TV films. With the failure of his second marriage, the death of his mother and the scarcity of good parts, Morrow hit the bottle, which did his career even less good. In 1982, however, he refocused his drive and made a comeback in Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983), but was unfortunately killed on the early morning hours of July 23, 1982 in a tragic, freak accident on the set while filming a scene involving a helicopter which crashed right on top of him and two young children.
Vic was the father of Carrie Ann Morrow and actress Jennifer Jason Leigh.- Special Effects
- Visual Effects
Conway Wickliffe was born in 1966 in Paeroa, New Zealand. Conway is known for V for Vendetta (2005), Casino Royale (2006) and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001). Conway was married to Derryn Chase. Conway died on 24 September 2007 in Longcross, Surrey, England, UK.- Janet Wilder was born on 23 August 1966. She is known for Nine Months (1995), Black Sheep (1996) and Gone Fishin' (1997). She was married to Scott Wilder. She died on 19 December 1995 in Everglades, Florida, USA.
- Writer
- Actor
- Music Department
Steve Irwin was born in 1962 to parents Lyn and Bob Irwin, who were animal naturalists. He shared the love for animals all his life, stemming from being raised at the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park. There, he partook in daily duties of animal feeding and care. He quickly established himself with the Queenland's government on the process of the country's Crocodile Relocation Program, in which the reptiles could be transferred and relocated to proper localties in the most absolute humane, non-tranquilizing manner. He frequently implements the non-tranquilizing factor in his televison show The Crocodile Hunter's Croc Files (1999). Steve married fellow naturalist, Terri Irwin (Baines) in 1992. She joined him in his adventures and efforts in almost every episode of his show. They had one daughter, Bindi Sue Irwin, who was born July 24, 1998. He died in September 2006 following an attack by a stingray, off the Great Barrier Reef.- Stunts
- Additional Crew
Harry O'Connor was born on 28 August 1957 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. He is known for The Perfect Storm (2000), Air Force One (1997) and Charlie's Angels (2000). He died on 4 April 2002 in Prague, Czech Republic.- Ormer Locklear was born on 28 October 1891 in Greenville, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for The Great Air Robbery (1919), The Skywayman (1920) and Screen Snapshots, Series 1, No. 7 (1920). He was married to Ruby Graves. He died on 2 August 1920 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Actor
- Stunts
Jack Budlong was born on 22 February 1913 in New York, USA. He was an actor. He was married to Verne Rogers. He died on 5 August 1941 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Stunts
- Actress
Sonja Davis was born on 1 June 1962. She was an actress, known for Strange Days (1995), Timecop (1994) and Deep Cover (1992). She died on 14 November 1994.- Art Department
David Ritchie is known for X-Men (2000), Jumper (2008) and The Recruit (2003). He died on 25 January 2007 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.- Actor
- Writer
Antonio Velasco was born in 1961 in Mexico. He was an actor and writer, known for Carmelo y yo (2000) and 30% poliéster (2004). He died on 16 August 2003 in Cuernavaca, Mexico.- Renee Chen was born on 1 April 1976 in Taiwan. She died on 23 July 1982 in Indian Dunes, California, USA.
- My-ca Dinh Le was born on 8 January 1975 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He died on 23 July 1982 in Indian Dunes, California, USA.
- Stunning silent screen actress Martha Mansfield was a musical comedy star in New York City by the time she entered films in 1916 for Max Linder. Before long she advanced to second leads in features, including the role of Millicent Carew in the John Barrymore starrer Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920), which to this day remains her best known. The promising beauty was signed by Fox Studios in 1923 and began work on a new picture The Warrens of Virginia (1924). Nearing the completion of the film, Martha had just finished a scene and was returning to her automobile when her dress caught fire from a carelessly strewn match. Engulfed in flames, co-star Wilfred Lytell managed to throw his coat around her and extinguish the fire, but it was too late. She died the next day of severe burns at age 24.
- Writer
- Producer
- Actor
H.B. Halicki was born on 18 October 1940 in Dunkirk, New York, USA. He was a writer and producer, known for Gone in 60 Seconds (1974), Deadline Auto Theft (1983) and The Junkman (1982). He was married to Denice Shakarian Halicki. He died on 20 August 1989 in Tonawanda, New York, USA.- Stunts
- Actor
Geoff Brewer was born on 30 November 1958 in Kansas, USA. He was an actor, known for Road House (1989), Midnight Run (1988) and Overboard (1987). He was married to Tammy Brewer. He died on 17 May 1989 in Clark Air Force Base, Philippines.- Cinematographer
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Writer
Gadi Danzig was born on 7 February 1944 in Israel. He was a cinematographer and writer, known for America 3000 (1986), Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990) and Stalin's Disciples (1986). He died on 16 May 1989 in Clark Air Force Base, Philippines.- Camera and Electrical Department
- Cinematographer
- Additional Crew
Roland Schlotzhauer was born on 10 June 1956 in Lenexa, Kansas, USA. Roland was a cinematographer, known for Firecracker (2005), The Final Season (2007) and Raising Jeffrey Dahmer (2006). Roland was married to Kathryn. Roland died on 30 June 2006 in near Walford, Iowa, USA.- Owen Hart was one of twelve children from a legendary Canadian wrestling family. His brother Bret is also one of the most well known wrestlers of all time. Owen was one of the best wrestlers in the business and his major accomplishments include being the 1994 King of the Ring, former Intercontinental Champion(2), former European Champion, and co-holder of the Tag Team Championship (4). Sadly, Hart plunged to his death on May 23, 1999 during a PPV when he was performing a spectacular entrance. Hart was only 34 and is survived by his wife Martha, his son Oje and his daughter Athena.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
After his schooling in Edinburgh, the British character actor Roy Kinnear attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Following national service, Kinnear appeared on stage, radio, and television in Scotland before becoming a household name in Britain in the early 1960s as one of the original members of the television series That Was the Week That Was (1962). Around this time, he also established his film career, specializing in jovial, yet sometimes slightly sinister, characters, such as Finney, Moriarty's henchman, in The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975). Another characteristic role was that of Planchet in the Musketeer movies, a role that tragically led to his death from a riding accident during the filming of The Return of the Musketeers (1989).- Camera and Electrical Department
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
John Jordan was born on 12 April 1925 in Oxfordshire, England, UK. He was an assistant director, known for You Only Live Twice (1967), On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968). He died on 16 May 1969 in the Gulf of Mexico.- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Boris Sagal was born on 18 October 1923 in Yekaterinoslav, Ukrainian SSR, USSR [now Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine]. He was a director and writer, known for The Omega Man (1971), The Name of the Game (1968) and Rich Man, Poor Man (1976). He was married to Marge Champion and Sara Macon. He died on 22 May 1981 in Portland, Oregon, USA.- Special Effects
Cliff Wenger Jr. was born on 19 August 1950 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is known for Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977) and Thunder Run (1985). He died on 27 November 1984 in Acapulco, Mexico.- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Stunts
- Actor
Chris Lamon was born in 1965. He was an assistant director and actor, known for The Boondock Saints (1999), Exit Wounds (2001) and Dracula 2000 (2000). He died on 23 August 2000 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.- Stunts
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Tip Tipping was born on 13 February 1958 in England, UK. He was an actor, known for Aliens (1986), Lifeforce (1985) and Brazil (1985). He died on 5 February 1993 in Brunton, Northumberland, England, UK.- Camera and Electrical Department
Mike Graham is known for Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990), Crack House (1989) and Cheerleader Camp (1988). He died on 17 May 1989 in Clark Air Force Base, Philippines.- Camera and Electrical Department
- Director
- Writer
Don Marshall was a director and writer, known for Cycles South (1971), Hunter (1984) and Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990). He died on 17 May 1989 in Clark Air Force Base, Philippines.- Jojo Imperiale is known for Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990). Jojo died on 17 May 1989 in Clark Air Force Base, Philippines.
- Sound Department
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Bryce Dion was born on 7 May 1976 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA. Bryce was an assistant director, known for The Unknown Trilogy (2007), Festival (2011) and Shiloh Falls (2007). Bryce died on 26 August 2014 in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.- In the early 1980s, this ruggedly handsome young American actor of Norwegian parentage was seen as the "next big thing", and then suddenly he was dead from an accident via a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The son of Thorleif Hexum (born in Norway) and Gretha Paulsen (born in Minnesota), Jon-Erik Hexum was born and raised in Englewood, New Jersey, where he was a musically gifted student at school playing both the horn and the violin in the school orchestra, and even the piano at home. He then attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, before transferring across to Michigan State University studying bio-medical engineering and then switching over to philosophy. At MSU, Hexum played football, and DJ'd at several local radio stations under the name of "Yukon Jack", before being discovered by John Travolta's manager, Bob LeMond.
He reportedly turned down opportunities to appear in such shows as The Dukes of Hazzard (1979) and CHiPs (1977) and many day time soap operas before finally making his debut in the TV series Voyagers! (1982) as time traveler Phineas Bogg. He was then cast as hunk Tyler Burnett alongside Joan Collins in Making of a Male Model (1983), and then as ex-Green Beret Mac Harper in Cover Up (1984).
However, on October 12, 1984 after a long and draining day's shooting on the set of Golden Opportunity (1984), Hexum became bored with the extensive delays and jokingly put a prop .44 magnum revolver to his temple and pulled the trigger. The gun fired, and the wadding from the blank cartridge shattered his skull, whereupon the mortally injured Hexum was rushed via ambulance to Beverly Hills Medical Center to undergo extensive surgery. Despite five hours of work, the chief surgeon, Dr. David Ditsworth, described the damage to Hexum's brain as life-ending. One week later, on October 18th, he was taken off life support and pronounced dead. However, Hexum's commitment to organ donation meant five other lives were assisted or saved with organs harvested from him. He was 26 years old. - Additional Crew
- Stunts
- Actor
Art Scholl was born on 24 December 1931 in Granville, Wisconsin, USA. He was an actor, known for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), The Right Stuff (1983) and Explorers (1985). He died on 16 September 1985 in Pacific Ocean.- Joseph Leonard Svec was born on 26 March 1947 in California, USA. Joseph Leonard is known for The Right Stuff (1983). Joseph Leonard died on 14 January 1983 in California, USA.
- Stunts
- Actor
Jim Sheppard was born in 1937. He was an actor, known for Comes a Horseman (1978), The Master Gunfighter (1975) and Matt Helm (1975). He died on 18 August 1977 in Canon City, Colorado, USA.- Erik Roner was born on 2 November 1976 in San Francisco, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Nitro Circus Series (2006), One for the Road (2011) and Light the Wick (2010). He was married to Annika Dahl. He died on 28 September 2015 in Squaw Valley, California, USA.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
He was born in Auckland, New Zealand and spent his early childhood there. His family moved to the small rural town of Timaru in New Zealand's South Island when he was 11. During high school, he began playing in rock-and-roll bands, but never aspired to a career as an actor. He had a passion for rugby and his dream was to play for the All Blacks, New Zealand's world-famous rugby team. At 17, Smith moved to Christchurch and worked at various jobs before enrolling in Canterbury University at the age of 20. He married his childhood sweetheart, Sue, and stumbled into acting literally by accident when he suffered a concussion playing college rugby in 1987. He was forced to sit on the sidelines for nearly three weeks and during that period, Sue saw a casting call ad for the touring company of Are You Lonesome Tonight, the musical tribute to Elvis Presley, and signed Kevin up for an audition. He landed the part of one of the bodyguards and was understudy to the lead. He played in a number of alternative rock bands in New Zealand, including being one of the lead singers of The Wide Lapels, a local band which inspired rave reviews and a devoted following for its camp renderings of the worst songs of the '70s -- songs like Take a Letter, Maria, Tell Laura I Love Her and Billy, Don't be a Hero -- which qualify for the group's repertoire on the basis of having bad lyrics that don't get better with time. Kevin and his wife Sue resided in Auckland. They had three sons together: Oscar, Tyrone and Willard.