RIP Robert Yuro

 Los Angeles Times

November 28, 2020

August 1, 1932 - November 16, 2020 Robert "Bob" Anthony Yuro was born in New York City Hospital on August 1, 1932. His Spirit graduated back to the great beyond on November 16, 2020 while surrounded by his loving family. Bob was a beloved Husband to Rosemary, his wife of 38 years, a treasured Father to Gabrielle(Bob), Jason (Veronica), Michelle(Andy), Dominique(Kai) and Leonora(Gary) and Stepfather to Alexandra. He was cherished by his grandchildren Jennifer, Brittany, Hannah, Rae, Ruby, Mason, Charlotte, Benny, Travis and Kale'a. He also leaves behind his adored Bichon Frise, Roxy. Bob was the family's North Star. He was a charismatic and curious seeker, a lover of people, life, trees, jazz, movies and a good Budino. After graduating Erasmus High School in Brooklyn, Bob joined the Air Force and was stationed in Germany. He was trained and served as an Air Traffic Controller during the Korean War. After completing his service, he returned to New York where his twenties were spent as an actor with many stints in New York City theatre which propelled him to Los Angeles for TV work. Bob played the "bad guy" in every TV western and cop show of the 1960's and 70's. In 1969, Bob and his best friend, Herb Evans, opened "Alice's Restaurant" in Westwood and in 1972 they opened "Alice's Restaurant Malibu". Bob and Herb eventually separated their business with Bob taking over Alice's in Malibu which enjoyed 25 years of popularity and success with a "family" of employees that worked with him for decades. For the last 38 years Bob was extremely devoted to his involvement with AA and GA. Through this program he was committed to his own personal development and was passionate about supporting as many other program members as possible. A huge part of his legacy is the time he spent helping others along their path. Bob will be remembered for his incredible deep voice and his deep wisdom, his wry sense of humor, his immense love for his wife, his family and his friends. He was a shining light for so many. He will be greatly missed but will live on forever in the hearts and minds of his family and friends. Godspeed.

 

YURO, Robert (Robert Anthony Yuro)

Born: 8/1/1932, New York City, New York, U.S.A.

Died: 11/16/2020, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Robert Yuro’s westerns – actor:

Rawhide (TV) – 1964 (Jack Kleet)

Death Valley Days (TV) – 1965, 1968, 1970 (Spencer Fraser, Curly Bill Brocius, King Fisher,

    Wynn Kincaid

The Big Valley (TV) – 1966 (Gil Anders)

Laredo (TV) – 1966, 1967 (Jug Herriot, Sebastian ‘Seb’ Melendez, Johnny Rhodes)

The Legend of Jesse James (TV) – 1966 (Pete Hicks)

The Ride to Hangman’s Tree – 1967 (Jeff Scott)

The Iron Horse (TV) – 1967 (Hunker)

The Virginian (TV) – 1967 (Aiken)

Bonanza (TV) – 1968, 1973 (Dody Hendrickson, Rice)

The Shakiest Gun in the West – 1968 (Arnold the Kid)

The High Chaparral (TV) – 1968 (Ramon Garcia, Kyle)

RIP Chuck Bail

 Chuck Bail, Famed Stuntman and 'Gumball Rally' Director, Dies at 85

The Hollywood Reporter

By Mike Barnes

11/26/2020

He acted and flew a bi-plane in 'The Stunt Man' and got into fistfights and shootouts in dozens of TV Westerns.

Chuck Bail, the Hollywood man of action who portrayed the stunt coordinator in the Peter O'Toole-starring The Stunt Man and directed frenetic films including The Gumball Rally and Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold, has died. He was 85.

Bail died Wednesday in a hospital in Tyler, Texas, his friend and fellow former stuntman Gary Kent told The Hollywood Reporter. Bail had heart and gall bladder issues and then contracted COVID-19, he said.

A strapping 6-foot-4, Bail served as the stunt double for Max Baer Jr. on The Beverly Hillbillies and for Peter Breck on The Big Valley, and he threw punches as henchmen employed by Mr. Freeze (Otto Preminger), Catwoman (Julie Newmar), The Penguin (Burgess Meredith) and The Riddler (John Astin) on Batman.

As the steady stunt coordinator Chuck Barton, Bail essentially played himself in director Richard Rush's The Stunt Man (1980). He also flew the bi-plane that performed dives around the Hotel del Coronado in one of the film's more notable sequences.

He had been Rush's stunt coordinator on Getting Straight (1970) and Freebie and the Bean (1974), and the two worked together on Hells Angels on Wheels (1967) and The Savage Seven (1968) as well.

Bail stepped up to make his directing debut in the waning days of the blaxploitation era on Black Samson (1974), starring Rockne Tarkington, then helmed the Hong Kong-set Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold (1975), starring Tamara Dobson.

He read about a real-life coast-to-coast road race in a newspaper and pitched Warner Bros. on the idea for The Gumball Rally (1976). The film, which starred Michael Sarrazin and Raul Julia, was a forerunner to the more famous The Cannonball Run.

Bail also served as the second-unit director who worked out the action sequences on Greased Lightning (1977), The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper (1981) and The Beastmaster (1982).

Regarding that last one, actor Marc Singer noted in a wonderful video biography of Bail put together by stuntman Bob Ivy that he "brought in a group of stuntmen from the old days, the Westerns from television … these guys ran stunts like a football team runs plays. Horses, dogs, women, children, all in the mix."

Later, Bail helmed Choke Canyon (1986) and Street Corner Justice (1996), which he also wrote and produced, and called the shots for episodes of CHiPs, Knight Rider, Dragnet and Baywatch Nights.

Bail was born in Pittsburgh in 1935. His father was a jeweler and his mother owned a beauty parlor. He entered the U.S. Navy when he was 17 and was a competitive boxer and swimmer in the service.

After his discharge, Bail joined a Wild West show on a tour of Asia, but when it ran out of money, the U.S. Embassy arranged for the performers to return to the States. He docked in Los Angeles in 1957 and stayed to work in Hollywood when stuntman Chuck Couch took him under his wing; soon, he was falling off horses and getting into shootouts and fistfights on such TV Westerns as Broken Arrow, The Texan, Bat Masterson and Wanted: Dead or Alive.

Bail's credits also included the features Sweet Bird of Youth (1962), The Green Berets (1968), Dennis Hopper's The Last Movie (1971) and The House of Seven Corpses (1974) and such TV shows as Perry Mason, Honey West, Daniel Boone, The Big Valley, The High Chaparral, Bonanza, The Monkees and Kung Fu.

Bail was "a man of his word and a straight shooter," Kent said. "What he said he always stood by, which by Hollywood standards is a tough thing to do."

Survivors include his son, Mark.

 

BAIL, Chuck (Charles Bail)

Born: 8/?/1935, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Died: 11/25/2020, Tyler, Texas, U.S.A.

 

Chuck Bails westerns, stuntman, stunt coordinator, actor:

Broken Arrow (TV) – 1958 [stunts]

The Rough Riders (TV) – 1958 (deserter) [stunts]

The Jayhawkers! 1959 (Jayhawker) [stunts]

Bat Masterson (TV) – 1960 (Tod Mason)

The Texan (TV) – 1958, 1959, 1960 (bandit, brawler, Lou, prisoner, Hap) [stunts]

Wanted: Dead or Alive (TV) – 1960, 1961 (Larry, Wally) [stunts]

Gunsmoke (TV) – 1961, 1965 (Withers, barfly)

Ballad of a Gunfighter – 1964 [stunts]

The Glory Guys – 1965 [stunts]

The Hallelujah Trail – 1965 [stunts]

The Big Valley (TV) – 1965, 1966 (Brown, Donlon, brawler, Catlin, Mel, stage driver, shotgun,

     Wolgus [stunts]

Laredo (TV) – 1965, 1967 (gang member, Duke)

F Troop (TV) – 1966 [stunts]

The Virginian (TV) – 1966, 1967 (Burney henchman, Hardy rider)

Daniel Boone (TV) – 1967, 1968, 1969 (Sinoc, Stephen, Lutey, Luke)

The High Chaparral (TV) – 1967, 1969 (soldier, Curly Bill Brocias, Ben Burris) [stunts]

The Monroes (TV) - 1967 [stunts]

The Scavengers – 1969 [stunt coordinator]

Bonanza (TV) – 1969, 1970, 1971 (Reese, Ike Kels, rancher, Kale)

Kung Fu (TV) – 1972, 1975 (henchman, tough, guard)

Gone With the West – 1974 (Mimmo henchman)

 

RIP Flor Silvestre

Mexican Singer amd Actress Flor Silvestre dies at 90

Billboard

By Griselda Flores

11/25/2020

Mexican singer and actress Flor Silvestre has died at 90 in her ranch "El Soyate" located in Zacatecas, Mexico, Billboard has confirmed. Silvestre was the wife of regional Mexican icon Antonio Aguilar and mother to Pepe Aguilar.

In her 70-year career, the songstress born Guillermina Jiménez Chabolla was known for starring in classic black-and-white films as one of the leading stars of the "golden age" of the Mexican film industry, where she'd act and sing, showcasing her one-of-a-kind melodious voice.

Silvestre -- sister of fellow singer Enriqueta "Queta" Jiménez, who was known as "La Prieta Linda" -- recorded ranchera, bolero, bolero ranchero, tambora and huapango in her more than 300 songs.

Born Aug. 16, 1930, Silvestre married actor and singer Antonio Aguilar, who died in 2007, in 1959, with whom she pioneered the Mexican folk equestrian shows. They had two sons: Toño and Pepe Aguilar. Silvestre is the grandmother of rising regional Mexican singers Angela and Leonardo Aguilar.

 

SILVESTRE, Flor (Guillermina Jiménez Chabolla)

Born: 8/16/1930, Salamanca, Guanajato, Mexico

Died: 11/25/2020, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico

 

Flor Silvestre’s westerns – actress:

El tigre enmscarado – 1951 (Rosita)

El lobo solitario – 1952 (Lupita Gutiérrez)

Vuelve el lobo – 1952 (Lupita Gutiérrez)

Lo huella del chacal – 1956 (Amapola)

Los cabeza de Pancho Villa – 1957 (Margarita)

El jinete sin cabeza – 1957 (La jueza)

La justicia del gavilan vengador – 1957 (Azucena/Luisa Camargo)

Los Muertos no hablan – 1958 (Alondra)

La revelion de la sierra – 1958 (Bernardina)

El ciclon – 1959 (Lupe Ayala)

El hombre del alazan – 1959 (Reina)

Quietos todos! - 1959 (Isabel Gómez)

Tan bueno el giro como el colorado – 1959 (Carmen Aguilar)

The Braggarts – 1960 (Flor Mendoza)

Chip on the Shoulder – 1960 (Elena)

The Karambazo Sisters – 1960 (Otilia Karambazo)

Luciano Romero – 1960 (Reina)

Vivo o muerto – 1960 (María)

Juan sin miedo – 1961 (Isabel Zertuche 'La Chabela')

La trampa mortal – 1962 (Rosita)

La venganza de la sombra – 1962 (Anita)

El revolver sangriento – 1964 (Rosa)

Alma llanera – 1965 (Lucía)

El rifle implacable – 1965 (Luisa Vélez)

El tragabalas – 1966 (Lola)

Juan Colorado – 1966 (Cancionera)

El as de oro – 1968 (Rosario)

The Call Him Marcado – 1971 (Mercedes)

La yegua colorado – 1973 (Rocío Villegas)

Valente Quintero – 1973 (Rafaela)

Benjamin Argumedo el rebelde – 1979 (Delfina)

Mi caballo, el cantador – 1979 (Guillermina)

Persecucion y muerte de Benjamin Argumalo – 1980 (Delfina)

Sabra sangre – 1980 (Señora Arteaga)

 

RIP Jery Hewitt

 

RIP Jery Hewitt

Times Herald-Record

November 24, 2020

Gerald Robert Hewitt, known to most as Jery Hewitt, 71, of Warwick, New York passed away suddenly on November 21, 2020. He will be greatly missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him and his loving heart. Jery was born in Brooklyn on March 6, 1949 and lived in Queens until moving to Warwick 40 years ago. Jery was the son of the late Harry Jefferson Hewitt and Marjorie Potts Hewitt and step son of Vally Richter-Addo Hewitt. He is survived by his loving wife, Jennifer Lamb Hewitt, and their beautiful children, Harry, Kevin, Sam and Molly. He is also survived by his brother, Don Hewitt and his wife, Mary, as well as many nieces, nephews, close friends and extended family. He was predeceased by brothers, Steven and Peter.

Jery attended the State University of New York at Farmingdale and graduated with a degree in Food Science, which kicked off his commitment to being ecologically conscious in the use of renewable resources, well before it was in vogue. This inspired him to build, very literally, with his own two hands and those of friends and family, his home in the Hamlet of Edenville, in Warwick, New York.

Jery had a knack for storytelling, an amazing sense of humor and a secret interest in becoming a comedic actor. This led to accidental opportunities to perform in a variety of projects in and out of the film industry. In 1977, Jery helped George Willig climb the South Tower of the World Trade Center. His versatility was evident from his first feature film, the 1979 cult classic "The Warriors," with a standout performance as the leader of "The Baseball Furies".

Jery's career in film and TV tallied thousands of credits over four decades. He was one of the most well-respected stunt coordinators in the business and a true legend in the film community having collaborated with Oscar winning directors including Joel and Ethan Coen, Jodie Foster and Mike Nichols. He was once described as "the thinking man's stunt coordinator," maybe that's why Dick Wolf trusted him to coordinate all 20 seasons of Law and Order and the 22 seasons thus far of Law and Order SVU. He knew how to make things happen in a seamless and magical way. His laser-focused attention to detail ensured the safety of those he was working with and allowed the precision of the moment to be captured on film with clarity and the true beauty of the story he was helping to tell.
Jery was honored to have worked on 14 of the Coen Brothers films and his efforts brought iconic moments to life from teaching Tex Cobb how to ride a motorcycle in Raising Arizona to sending his wife and collaborator for the past 25+ years, Jennifer Lamb, hurtling backwards into a snake pit in the remake of True Grit.

Jery had many interests and gifts to share with the world. He spent several years involved with Civil War reenactments including restoring an authentic 1857 12-Pounder Napoleon Field Gun. He also became a skilled hot-air balloon pilot, a joyous past time he shared with his brother, Don. In Jery's crystal clear blue eyes everything on the planet had a purpose and function. He had a fascination with the inner workings of anything mechanical and enjoyed taking things apart and rebuilding them. His kids would often hear him say, "If it ain't broke, fix it!" Jery enjoyed collecting antique Divco milk trucks which he maintained in working order. His most recent passion, second only to adoring his "first wife, Jennifer," was restoring his 1975 Unimog. Jery was also a man of good humor. When he was able to name the small street to the house he built in the woods, he did so fittingly; it's called "Soft Landings".

Jery was always and continues to be our star in the darkness.

On Friday, November 27, we will have a small gathering from 4:30-6:00pm at the Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home in Warwick to bid our farewells. We ask that you respect all Covid-19 protocols. This spring we will assemble many more to celebrate this great man and his bright light. Until then, and in the meantime, we are all held tight by your warm embraces, born out of your love for Jery, and for us. To you, we return that love. We are thankful for you and for getting to spend our lives with Jery.
If you would like to make a donation in Jery's name, he was quite fond of Beautiful People Sports, Adaptive Sports for children with Disabilities. Jery (no surprise there) was a frequent volunteer for them. Beautiful-People.us Or to any local food pantry or near Warwick, New York.

Arrangements were made by Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick, NY 10990. To send an online condolence, visit www.LSVPMemorialHome.com

 

HEWITT, Jery (Gerald Robert Hewitt)

Born: 3/16/1949, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.

Died: 11/21/2020, Warwick, New York, U.S.A.

 

Jery Hewitt’s westerns – stuntman, stunt coordinator:

Ride With the Devil – 1999

No Country for Old Men – 2007 [stunt coordinator]

True Grit – 2010 [stunt coordinator]