Veteran stuntman Wayne “Buddy” Van Horn, who worked with Clint Eastwood on over 30 films and directed Any Which Way You Can and The Dead Pool, passed away May 11 at the age of 92. Horn started working with Eastwood as his stunt double in 1967 and continued working with him up until J. Edgar in 1967.
According to his obituary notice, Horn was “born on the back lot of Universal Studios.” His father was veterinarian for the studio’s horses, and Horn first broke into the business as an extra who rode them. His stunt work can be seen in films like Dirty Harry, The Rookie, Space Cowboys, Million Dollar Baby and Gran Torino. Van Horn also had small acting roles in popular shows like Magnum, P.I. and The Six Million Dollar Man.
He directed three films in total: Any Which Way You Can, The Dead Pool, and Pink Cadillac. While his films didn’t earn the most positive reception from critics or audiences, it’s clear that Eastwood enjoyed collaborating with Horn. Horn’s highest-rated film, The Dead Pool, was the fifth and final film in the Dirty Harry franchise and starred Eastwood, Patricia Clarkson, Liam Neeson and Jim Carrey in his first dramatic role.
Horn is survived by his wife Konne, their two daughters and their five grandchildren.
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