RIP Bob Hoy

Western movie and television legend Robert F. "Bobby" Hoy, who appeared in many western productions died Monday January 8, 2010 after a six-month battle with cancer. He was 82. Days before, Hoy was honored with the prestigious Golden Boot award by the Motion Picture & Television Fund, commemorating his contribution to the genre of Western television and movies in all three award categories -- acting, stunt work and directing. Bob Fuller, representing the Golden Boot committee, presented the 2010 award to Hoy January 28th in the penthouse suite at Northridge Hospital. It marked the first time the Golden Boot was given to an honoree in the hospital.

In his 55-year career as an actor, Hoy played a wide variety of movie and television roles ranging from cowboys to spies. He was best-known for his role as ranch hand Joe Butler on "The High Chaparral," a TV western that aired four seasons from 1967 to 1971. His acting roles in more than 67 films included "Bite the Bullet," "The Outlaw Josey Wales," The "Legend of the Lone Ranger," "The Gambler II," "Nevada Smith," "Bronco Billy," "The Enforcer" and "The Great Race." On the small screen, Hoy appeared in more than 75 TV programs in addition to "The High Chapparal," including "Wanted: Dead or Alive," "Walker: Texas Ranger," "JAG," "Dallas" (recurring role), "The Wild, Wild West," "Magnum P.I." (five episodes), "The Young Riders" and "Zorro."

Behind the camera, Hoy was second unit director and stunt coordinator in Spain for the TV series "The New Zorro" and on the pilot of "The Three Musketeers."
In more than 100 appearances as stuntman, Hoy doubled for stars such as Tony Curtis, Charles Bronson, Audie Murphy, Tyrone Power, David Janssen, Telly Savalas and Jay Silverheels, among many others.

Hoy performed stunts for "The Lone Ranger," "The Defiant Ones," "Spartacus," "River of No Return," "Revenge of the Creature" and many more films and TV shows.
"Bobby was one of the rare stuntmen who also became an actor," Kiva Hoy said Monday. "He was more and more in demand as an actor as his (stunt) career progressed. People started calling him for roles, not just stunts. He was very much the reluctant actor, along the lines of (Academy Award-winner) Richard Farnsworth."
Hoy and Williams were founding members of The Stuntman's Association of Motion Pictures in 1961. The organization awarded Hoy its Lifetime Achievement award in August 2009, in recognition for his "extraordinary achievements and dedication to excellence."

Hoy was also a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences, the Directors Guild of America, AFTRA and the Screen Actors Guild.