Alex Sharp (American actor)


Alex Sharp, also known and credited as Alex Sharpe was an American actor, stuntman, and writer, perhaps best known for his work in television western shows such as Bonanza and Gunsmoke.

Early years

Sharp was born in Nebraska and was raised in Washington and Colorado, where he learned to break horses. He spent time with the U.S. Cavalry at Fort Riley, and became a bomber gunner in the South Pacific during World War II.

Career

One of his earliest jobs in 1950 was doubling for Scott Forbes on the film Rocky Mountain. He would again double for Forbes in The Adventures of Jim Bowie
Stunts in fight scenes were his specialty, and Sharp did at least a half-dozen with Michael Landon on Bonanza, with Sharp doubling for guest stars George Kennedy and Leif Erickson.
At around 6'4" and 200 pounds, Sharp was a large enough actor to double for James Arness on Gunsmoke for its 20-year run from 1955 to 1975. Sharp also doubled for Richard Coogan on The Californians.
As a stuntman, Sharp was a member of the Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures, and an inductee into the Stunmen's Hall of Fame.
As a writer, Sharp co-wrote the screenplay for the 1965 film Vengeance. Sharp also wrote and contributed teleplays for shows, including Bonanza and The High Chaparral.

Personal life

In 1963, Sharp and fellow stuntman Bill Hickman witnessed a bank robber, Carl Follette, speed by them on the Ventura Freeway near the Laurel Canyon off-ramp. After Hickman saw the suspect shoot police Officer Alphonso Begue in the chest, he used his stunt driver skills to chase him down on Laurel Canyon Road until law enforcement officers could catch up. The car chase eventually ended in a North Hollywood parking lot where Follette was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire with the police.

Death

Sharp died at the age of 86 from stroke-related ailments.

Filmography

A partial filmography follows

Film

Film credits for acting and stunts include:Harpoon as Whaler #2Easy Living as DonRocky Mountain Horizons West Yankee Buccaneer Seminole Wichita Showdown at Abilene Red Sundown The Night Runner as DeputyThe Horse Soldiers Spartacus How the West Was Won Young Guns of Texas as RedIt's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Law of the Lawless as RiderThe Great Race El Dorado stunts Planet of the Apes Bullitt The Wild Bunch The Great Bank Robbery Catch-22 Flap Dirty Harry Diamonds Are Forever What's Up, Doc? stuntsConquest of the Planet of the Apes Battle for the Planet of the Apes Mr. Majestyk Hearts of the West Bound for Glory Harry and Walter Go to New York Zero to Sixty The Champ Sunburn as KunzPee-Wee's Big Adventure as Cowboy #2

Television

Television credits for acting and stunts include:The Adventures of Jim BowieBatmanBen CaseyBonanza stunts

Writer

Teleplay credits include:Bonanza
  • * "The Hayburner"
  • * "Ponderosa Matador"
  • * "The Saga of Muley Jones" Story co-written with Robert V. Barron
  • * "Old Sheba"
  • * "Hound Dog"
  • * "Ponderosa Explosion"
  • * "Stage Door Johnnies" The High Chaparral
  • * "The Covey"
  • * "A Fella Named Kilroy" The Cowboys "The Remounts"
Screenplay credits include:Vengeance co-written with Ed Erwin