Friday, November 15, 2024

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Fred Carson

[These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]

Fred Carson was born on November 5, 1923, in Harlingen, Texas. Fred was the brother of actor, stuntman Ted Smile [1921-2010]. Fred worked the rodeo circuit and was a trick rider prior to becoming involved in the Hollywood film industry as a stuntman and actor in the mid-1940's. He got his start doubling actor John Carroll. He went on to become one of the all-around greatest stuntmen, Carson was equally adept at performing fights, horse falls, saddle falls, sword fights, and high falls for over 45 years. He worked in over 400 movies and TV shows. He was stunt coordinator on many of them. He doubled such stars as Victor Mature, Marlon Brando, Clint Walker, Rory Calhoun, Anthony Quinn, Richard Boone among many others. He taught lots of actors fast gun draw, fancy gun tricks and fencing. His acting abilities were brought to the forefront in countless movies and TV shows.

He was a lifetime member of The Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures, which he joined in the early 1960's. He was a gifted artist and writer who continued to act, even after he had retired from doing stunt work in the 1980's. He loved the business and gave it his all.

Fred died in North Hollywood, California from a heart attack on July 31, 2001. He was 77 years old.

Carson’s only Euro-western was doing stunts in 1970’s “Madron” starring Richard Boone and Leslie Caron.

CARSON, Fred (aka Freddie Carson) [11/5/1923, Harlingen, Texas, U.S.A. – 7/31/2001, North Hollywood, California, U.S.A. (heart attack)] – assistant director, stuntman, film, TV actor, brother of stuntman, actor Ted Smile [1921–2010], married to Freda Carson [19??-1992] (1952-1992) father of Dixie Carson.

Madron – 1970 [stunts]

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