Scott L. Schwartz


Scott Leslie Schwartz also known as The Ultimate Bad Guy, was an American film and television actor, stuntman and professional wrestler. His size and agility at and had allowed him many roles as a thug or villain for film and television.

Early life

Schwartz was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 16, 1959. He was of Israeli descent and was a devout Jew. Schwartz was born and raised in Philadelphia, where he played football, baseball and ice hockey at Washington High School before attending Temple University. After college, he became a professional wrestler, wrestling under the ring-names of "Joshua Ben-Gurion—The Israeli Commando" and "Giant David". Schwartz toured as a wrestler and held many titles, before turning his career toward performance in film and television.
Apart from his acting, and after completing training, Schwartz became a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy.

Professional wrestling career

After college, Schwartz became a professional wrestler, trained in the late 1970s by wrestling's Walter "Killer" Kowalski. Schwartz's original ring-name was Giant David, but by the 1980s he was known as Joshua Ben-Gurion—The Israeli Commando and Igor the Giant. As a professional wrestler, he performed in Japan, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa, Western Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Guam, Canada and 40 of the 50 United States. He was promoted by Verne Gagne, Vince McMahon, Herb Abrams, Antone "Ripper" Leone, and Bruno Sammartino.

Film and television career

Schwartz was wrestling on tour in Bakersfield, California, when he was approached by a Hollywood agent. After seeing Schwartz's wrestling on television, the agent had traveled to Bakerfield to meet him, feeling Schwartz should take his skills into performing arts. At first, Schwartz was reluctant to change careers, wanting to retire as a wrestler.
In his early stunt work, and because of his background in pro wrestling, Schwartz was able to handle the staged combat, which required protecting opponents from harm. Due to his look, size, agility, and ability to handle dialogue, he was able to obtain roles as the "bad guy" in many films and television projects. He was known for his work in such films and television shows as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Star Trek: Enterprise, The Scorpion King, Charmed, The Tick, and Black Scorpion among others, but he is probably most recognized for his role as 'Bruiser' in the films Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve and Ocean's Thirteen. He appeared in such big budget films as Spider-Man, Fire Down Below, Starsky & Hutch, and Fun with Dick and Jane.

Death

Schwartz died from congestive heart failure on November 26, 2024, at the age of 65.

Championships and accomplishments

Filmography

;As actorUWF Fury Hour Shock 'Em Dead as GuardFor Parents Only as "The Wrench"Terminal USA as Tony "Big Tony"Back in Action as Kasajian's Thug Dangerous Waters as CarlitoSilent Fury as "Crusher"Savate as Bruno "The Horrible"The Set-Up as Maniac Tiger Mask as "Sonic Boom"Meet Wally Sparks as American Wrestler #2Fire Down Below as "Pimple"Dilemma as Guard #1High Voltage as BikerThe Misadventures of James Spawn as Drill SergeantCenturion Force as NickyP.U.N.K.S. as ConvictMartial Law as Boris Bridge of Dragons as BelmontFinal Voyage as RussV.I.P. as Mo BigThe Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas as Caveman Boxer Agent Red as Bald Henchman Just Sue Me as The ChauffeurThe Black Rose as ArmandNash Bridges as Pierre LaFooteCarman: The Champion as Mike "Big Mike"Southlander: Diary of a Desperate Musician as Chef as "Bear"Tomcats as Biker The One as Prisoner Ocean's Eleven as "Bulldog", The BruiserThe Tick as RexThe Scorpion King as TorturerSpider-Man as Screaming Wrestler Lost Treasure as Joe "Crazy Joe"Starsky and Hutch as Ron "Fat Ron"Terminal Island as FrankMax Havoc: Curse of the Dragon as Biker Bar ToughOcean's Twelve as BruiserDaydream Believer as SchulteFun with Dick and Jane as Bigger Convenience Store ClerkBlood Ranch Mind of Mencia as "Turk"Cain and Abel as YuriVagabond as CarnivoreSmoked as SchulteEpic Movie as Rubeus Hagrid ELI as GravesOcean's Thirteen as BruiserWhat We Do Is Secret as Biker Placebo as EdThe Young and the Restless as Amos SlaughterCtrl as Security GuardLost in the Woods as KurtWrong Side of Town as DeaconListen to Your Heart as GregDaddy's Home as Deputy CruzThe Sinners as Officer RainsJourney to Promethea as KroninFor Christ's Sake as GordyChanging Hands as Sergeant Mike SmithChanging Hands Feature Inventing Adam as MortyBetrayal as MishaXtinction: Predator X as Larry BoudreauxBetter Criminal as DannyHolding St. Peter's Conquest as PolonskiGarlic & Gunpowder as Shop Owner
;As stuntmanDilemma My Giant The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle Agent Red Gedo Crazy as Hell Epic Movie