Also on the set of maximum overdrivehe was one of two crey drivers, along with tommy j. He also acted as a truck driver in stroker ace and his face was never seen, as in duel but not as a villain. And its a lot, but duel can get through it because its so wellmade. William carey loftin january 31, 1914 march 4, 1997. Famously, he was the evil truck driver in spielbergs duel, though we never had a chance to see his face. Peterbilt tanker from movie duel on farm near lincolnton. He is considered to be one of the film industrys most accomplished stunt drivers. Though we know stunt driver carey loftin of bullitt fame was behind the wheel, the truck driver is never seen in the film, giving it a hint of the supernatural. You may not recognize the name, or if you do its vague and fuzzy from sitting in the back log of your memory bank, but. March 4, 1997 also credited as cary loftin was an american actor and stuntman. See, weavers driving to this meeting and he pisses off a truck. He also acted as a truck driver in stroker ace 1983 in which his face is never seen as in duel, but not as a villain this time. It turned out to be a service car for a pest exterminator named grebleips, which is spielberg spelled in reverse. He also performed some stunts for steve mcqueen in bullitt, especially during the films famous car chase.
Oct 01, 2014 the movie was directed by steven spielberg and was based on a short story written by richard matheson. Cary loftin, carry loftin, carey lofton, gary loftin, william carey loftin was an american professional stuntman, stunt coordinator and actor in the u. Arguably hollywoods greatest ever stunt riderdriver, carey loftins amazing stunt skills were utilized in hundreds of hollywood productions over a period of 50 years. Bradleys driver, duel 1971 the truck driver, thunder in carolina 1960 in which he plays tommy webb, the promise 1979 as truck driver, city heat 1984, and walking tall 1973. Jun 30, 2019 carey loftin memory alpha fandom powered by wikia. One of his most famous roles was as the truck driver in steven spielbergs duel, although his face was never seen.
Weavers even more of an annoying wuss because he puts up his leg in a very pseudomacho way while on the phone. As an actor, carey loftin has been seen in movies such as patton, released in 1970 as gen. He is the nameless and unseen driver of a large rusty 1955 peterbilt 281 gasoline tanker truck. As for acting and stunt roles, loftin is best remembered as the faceless driver in duel 1971. A duel is about to begin between a man, a truck and an open road.
Truck collector brad wike with the 1960 peterbilt used in filming the movie duel. Duel the best bits of film trivia the tanker driver. Did the duel truck driver openly presented what he did. I just found and bought white line fever and sure enough right there in the credits was good ol carey loftin. The original series first season episode the city on the edge of forever. The truck plunges over the cliff, along with the car. Duel is a tv movie turned theatrical release for international markets. Loftin was created on january 31st, 1914 in blountstown, florida and broke into film stunt function in the past due 1930s. The truck driver is the main antagonist of the 1971 short story duel by the late richard matheson, and the 1971 television film of the same name, which is steven spielbergs first directed film. Carey loftin one of the best movie stunt drivers liked to.
One of his most famous, yet discreet roles was as the murderous truck driver in steven spielbergs duel billed as cary loftin, in which only his arm and boots can be seen. Brilliant in its simplicity, the cult favorite takes road rage to a dangerous level as the traveler and the mysterious truckdriver are pitted against one another in a motorized duel to the. Duel tv movie 1971 carey loftin as the truck driver. Additionally, spielberg said that the multiple license plates on the front bumper of the peterbilt subtly suggested that the truck driver is a serial killer, having run down other drivers in other states. I look and look for more pictures and a bio of the guy, but. Loftin semiretired in 1991 at age 77 after doing pink lightning, although he still took minor stunt roles as a truck driver. William carey loftin was an american professional stuntman, stunt coordinator and actor in the u. Loftin was born on january thirtyfirst, 1914 in blountstown, florida and broke into movie stunt work in. Carey loftin january 31, 1914 march 4, 1997 also credited as cary loftin was an american actor and stuntman. The movie was directed by steven spielberg and was based on a short story written by richard matheson. The truck driver was played by carey loftin, and when he asked spielberg what his motivation was for tormenting weaver, spielberg said to him, youre a dirty, rotten, nogood son of a bitch.
Here are a few pics of cary loftin, the truck driver. Also, he was the mostly unseen truck driver in the steven spielberg thriller duel 1971. The truck driver was played by carey loftin, and when he asked spielberg what his motivation was for tormenting weaver, spielberg said to him. You may not recognize the name, or if you do its vague and fuzzy from sitting in the back log of your memory bank, but you will most definitely recognize his portfolio. Richard matheson, was inspired to write it after an encounter with a tailgating truck driver on november 22, 1963, which is the day that john f. It is the feature fulllength directorial debut of american director, producer, and screenwriter steven spielberg, and is distributed by universal pictures dennis weaver portrays david mann, a business commuter from california driving a plymouth valiant while on his way to meet a. Jan 15, 2018 arguably hollywoods greatest stunt driver ever, carey loftin s amazing driving and stunt skills were utilized in dozens of hollywood productions over a period of nearly half a century. The movie was good but who was the truck driver and what guy was he in the cafe scene with the guy with the cowboy boots. Where a simple batle of wits is now a matter of life and death.
Carey loftin made a lifelong career of bringing the visions of some of the greatest film directors in history to life as a stunt driver. Dennis weaver drove a plymouth valiant and the truck from the movie duel was a 1955 peterbilt 281 driven by carey loftin. The films protagonist named david mann while traveling on a freeway gets chased by a big truck whose driver, for no explained motive, wants to kill him. Carey loftin celebrity profile check out the latest carey loftin photo gallery, biography, pics, pictures, interviews, news, forums and blogs at rotten tomatoes. Loftin was created on january 31st, 1914 in blountstown, florida and broke into film stunt function in the later 1930s. Pictures of the truck driver pictures of the truck driver. His stunt credits span six decades and over a hundred films and television shows.
Carey loftin and one of his bizzarrini gt 5300s, photo courtesy of dave loftin from darren frank. The truck driver is the main antagonist of steven spielbergs 1st directed film for tv duel. I saw this movie on american movie classics one of those movies that you watch and have to watch the whole movie to find out who the truck driver was. Loftin was born on january thirtyfirst, 1914 in blountstown, florida and broke into movie stunt work in the late 1930s. Eddie firestone chuck, lou frizzell a bus driver, and carey loftin a truck driver.
Steven spielberg said that the multiple license plates on the front bumper of the truck suggested that the truck driver is a serial killer which ran down other drivers in other states. Truck driving jobs in penrose co his last major role was in black dog for the main characters truck he did the stunt driving for. One of his most famous roles was as the truck driver in steven spielberg s duel, although his face is never seen. In a lengthy career spanning 61 years, his body of work included classic films such as thunder road, vanishing point and the french connection, he was inducted into the ama motorcycle hall of fame. He drives a large rusty 1955 peterbilt 281 gasoline tanker truck. The truck driver is the main antagonist of the 1971 television film duel, which is steven spielbergs first directed film. The acclaimed stunt driving in the 1971 drivein cult favorite vanishing point was also performed by loftin.
After antagonizing mann for some time, the driver waves him past but mann nearly hits an oncoming vehicle. His last major role was in black dog for the main characters truck. Duel the best bits of film trivia the tanker driver was. He was portrayed by the late carey loftin biography. Carey loftin one of the best movie stunt drivers liked.
Probably hollywoods greatest stunt driver ever, carey loftins amazing driving and stunt skills were employed in a large number of hollywood productions more than an interval of nearly half of a century. Aug 19, 2016 carey loftin made a lifelong career of bringing the visions of some of the greatest film directors in history to life as a stunt driver. It will be on display saturday at a truck show near lincolnton. Duel tv movie 1971 carey loftin as the truck driver imdb. Duel 1971 film duel quotes at the internet movie database. Duel is a 1971 american action thriller film written by richard matheson, which is based on his own short story. Brilliant in its simplicity, the cult favorite takes road rage to a dangerous level as the traveler and the mysterious truck driver are pitted against one another in a motorized duel to the. Apr 20, 2018 duels truck is one of films great monsters. The truck from duel is a piece of movie history the aficionauto takes a closer look at the villain from steven spielbergs first movie. Arguably hollywoods greatest stunt driver ever, carey loftins amazing driving and stunt skills were utilized in dozens of hollywood productions over a period of nearly half a century. Arguably hollywoods greatest stunt driver ever, carey loftin s amazing driving and stunt skills were utilized in dozens of hollywood productions over a period of nearly half a century. May 07, 2016 steven spielberg said that the multiple license plates on the front bumper of the truck suggested that the truck driver is a serial killer which ran down other drivers in other states. Carey loftin inducted to the motorcycle museums hall of fame 2001 exspeedway racer who found great success in movie stunt work in the 1930s and 40s. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
Spielberg had seven trucks to choose from, all lined in a row, and he picked a 1955 peterbilt 281 tanker, the smallest of the trucks. Loftin was born on january 31st, 1914 in blountstown, florida and broke into movie stunt work in the late 1930s. I think he was in his 60s or 70s when he drove the truck in duel. Carey loftin the mohammad ali of stunt drivers jesus. Loftin performed some of the exciting driving scenes for steve mcqueen in bullitt and was the truck driver in steven spielbergs duel. The acclaimed stunt driving in the 1971 drive in cult favorite vanishing point was also performed by loftin. In steven spielbergs first fulllength movie, duel, a traveling salesman dennis weaver is harassed by a menacing 40ton truck on a remote desert highway. The truck from duel is a piece of movie history the drive. Here aer a few pics of cary loftin, the truck driver. Feb, 2008 i just found and bought white line fever and sure enough right there in the credits was good ol carey loftin. Upcoming, new, and past carey loftin movies, tv shows, tv movies, appearances, specials, and more plus, a biography, news, awards, and nominations. May 15, 2018 the truck from duel is a piece of movie history the aficionauto takes a closer look at the villain from steven spielbergs first movie.
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