Dave Sharpe
Encyclopedia
Dave Sharpe 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 more than 5,000 films, over six decades, although most were uncredited appearances.
in the 1920s. He was married for a short time to film actress Gertrude Messinger
. 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. Gertrude Messinger's brother, Buddy, died in 1965. Dave (Sharpe) married Buddy's widow, Margaret Messinger.
Sharpe was inducted into the Stuntman's Hall of Fame in 1980. He died in 1980 of Lou Gehrig's disease. Tony Curtis
gave the eulogy at his funeral. His ashes were either given to a friend or family.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and stunt performer
Stunt performer
A stuntman, or daredevil is someone who performs dangerous stunts, often as a career.These stunts are sometimes rigged so that they look dangerous while still having safety mechanisms, but often they are as dangerous as they appear to be...
.
He was called the "Crown Prince of Daredevils" and ranks alongside Yakima Canutt
Yakima Canutt
Yakima Canutt , also known as Yak Canutt, was an American rodeo rider, actor, stuntman and action director.-Biography:...
as one of Hollywood's all time greatest stuntmen. He appeared in more than 5,000 films, over six decades, although most were uncredited appearances.
Biography
Sharpe won the US National Tumbling Championship in 1925 and 1926. He began his film career as a child actorChild actor
The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting in motion pictures or television, but also to an adult who began his or her acting career as a child; to avoid confusion, the latter is also called a former child actor...
in the 1920s. He was married for a short time to film actress Gertrude Messinger
Gertrude Messinger
Gertrude Emma Messinger, , sometimes spelled Gertrude Messenger and also known as Gertie Messinger, was a B-movie film actress of the 1930s through the 1950s...
. Eventually he became the "Ramrod" (Stunt co-ordinator) for Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures was an independent film production-distribution corporation with studio facilities, operating from 1934 through 1959, and was best known for specializing in westerns, movie serials and B films emphasizing mystery and action....
from 1939 until mid-1942 when America entered World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He was replaced in this role by Tom Steele
Tom Steele (stuntman)
Tom Steele was a stunt man and actor, best remembered for appearing in serials, especially those produced by Republic Pictures, in both capacities.-Early life:...
while Sharpe joined the Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
in 1943. Gertrude Messinger's brother, Buddy, died in 1965. Dave (Sharpe) married Buddy's widow, Margaret Messinger.
Sharpe was inducted into the Stuntman's Hall of Fame in 1980. He died in 1980 of Lou Gehrig's disease. Tony Curtis
Tony Curtis
Tony Curtis was an American film actor whose career spanned six decades, but had his greatest popularity during the 1950s and early 1960s. He acted in over 100 films in roles covering a wide range of genres, from light comedy to serious drama...
gave the eulogy at his funeral. His ashes were either given to a friend or family.