Batman stuntman Dave Lea dead at 67: Hollywood staple worked with Michael Keaton, Mickey Rourke and Sylvester Stallone during his over 40 year career
One of Hollywood’s most successful stuntmen has died.
Dave Lea, who worked as a stunt double for Michael Keaton on Batman and Batman Returns passed away Saturday. He was 67-years-old.
A posting on his Facebook page read, ‘It is with deep sorrow, that we announce the passing of Dave Lea on 6th August 2022 at (5:55 pm) following a short illness.
‘He passed on surrounded by his loved ones. Your kind words and wishes are appreciated at this time. Dave, you were a fighter to the end. R.I.P’
RIP: Dave Lea, one of the most successful stuntmen in Hollywood has died. He was 67
Although the post calls his death the result of a short illness, TMZ has quoted a source who said the cause of death was cancer.
According to the biography posted on DaveLea.com, the hardworking actor began studying martial arts when in his early teens and he traveled the world to learn from masters such as Dan Inosanto who trained under Bruce Lee, and Joseph Cheng of Wing Chun fame.
He also studied with Grand Master Leong Swee Lun of Shaolin 5 Animals in Malaysia.
The London born artist’s goal was to work in television and film and to that end he got a recurring role on the long running UK drama EastEnders, without ever having taken an acting class.
Big break: Lea’s first big break in Hollywood came when he was hired to work as a stunt double for Michael Keaton in 1989’s Batman. He also created the stunts for 1992’s Batman Returns
Caped Crusader: The in-demand double worked on Batman Forever with Val Kilmer and on Batman and Robin with George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Chris O’Donnell
He soon got the opportunity to audition for Keaton’s stunt double in 1989’s Batman.
He was hired to work with Keaton again in the 1992 film Batman Returns, and with Val Kilmer as the caped crusader in the Batman Forever. He provided uncredited stunts for Batman and Robin with George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Chris O’Donnell.
Lea made his first on-screen appearance as an actor in Tango And Cash as Sonny.
The film starred Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone, and in addition to his on-screen presence, Lea was hired to train, choreograph and fight Stallone.
The film was panned by critics, but an award for Best Fight Sequence put the multitalented trainer on the map.
He continued to work regularly for the next 30 years training stars such as Ben Affleck, Tom Cruise, Sandra Bullock, Michelle Pfeiffer and many others.
Dance: In addition to martial arts, the multi-talented Lea also studied dance saying, ‘The best action moves are the ones that simply appear in the choreography. You don’t look for them, you feel them’
Sly: Lea first worked with Sylvester Stallone in 1989’s Tango and Cash. He continued working right up to the end. Sone of his latest work can be seen in Commando as a double for Mickey Rourke
Lea also studied dance.
On making action scenes look realistic, the in-demand teacher explained, ‘Action is like dancing! Turn the music on and dance. The best action moves are the ones that simply appear in the choreography. You don’t look for them, you feel them.’
The dedicated actor and trainer kept working until the end, working as a stunt double for Mickey Rourke in Commando, and as a stunt coordinator for the upcoming Everything Will Be Fine in the End.