David Sharpe (actor)


David Hardin Sharpe was an American actor and stunt performer, sometimes billed as Davy Sharpe.
He was called the "Crown Prince of Daredevils" and ranks alongside Yakima Canutt as one of Hollywood's all-time greatest stuntmen. He appeared in more than 5,000 films over six decades, although most were uncredited appearances.

Biography

Sharpe won the US National Tumbling Championship in 1925 and 1926. He began his film career as a child actor in the 1920s. He was married for a short time to film actress Gertrude Messinger. Eventually he became the "Ramrod" for Republic Pictures from 1939 until mid-1942 when America entered World War II. He was replaced in this role by Tom Steele while Sharpe joined the Army Air Corps in 1943. Gertrude Messinger's brother, Buddy, died in 1965. Sharpe married Buddy's widow, Margaret Messinger.
He died in 1980 of Lou Gehrig's disease. Tony Curtis gave the eulogy at his funeral. His ashes were either given to a friend or family.

Recognition

In 1979, Sharpe received the Yakima Canutt Award, which honors stuntmen. Sharpe was inducted into the Stuntman's Hall of Fame in 1980.

Selected filmography