James Winburn, an acrobatic performer, passed away at the age of 85 on November 19, 2022. His management informed EW that he passed away from an unidentified illness.
Following his passing, Monopoly Events wrote on social media that working with James was an “absolute joy.” They continued by saying that the stuntman entertained “everyone throughout the weekend.”
According to the Monster-Mania Convention, Winburn was scheduled to attend this month’s event but had to cancel due to health concerns. From 1970 to 2005, he was known for his work as a stunt performer and stunt coordinator in more than 78 films and television series.
James Winburn was famous for his performance on Halloween
Although his precise date of birth is unknown, James Winburn was 85 years old at the time of his death. With his performance in the 1978 horror film Halloween, he soared to fame.
In the final scene, he donned Michael Myers’ mask when Dr. Samuel Loomis arrested Myers and he disappeared after being shot and plummeting from a balcony.
The 1978 release of Halloween, directed by John Carpenter, occurred on October 25. It grossed $70 million at the box office and received acclaim from critics.
The film featured prominent performances by Donald Pleasance, Jamie Lee Curtis, P.J. Soles, Nancy Kyes, Charles Cyphers, Kyle Richards, Brian Andrews, Nick Castle, and Tony Moran.
Winburn served as a performance double in the sequel Halloween II, released in 1981. James also collaborated with John Carpenter on two other films: 1981’s Escape from New York and 1982’s Tron.
Winburn did not return to the Halloween series after the sequel, but his contributions helped launch one of the longest-running franchises. The thirteenth film in the Halloween franchise, Halloween Ends, was released on October 14, 2022.
The film, directed by David Gordon Green, received negative reviews, with most critics deeming it a disappointing conclusion to the 2018-launched trilogy.
James Winburn was well-known for his roles in McLoud, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, The Poseidon Adventure, The Fog, The Stunt Man, Escape From New York, and Tron during the 1970s and 1980s.
Actors such as Peter O’Toole, Barry Bostwick, Stan Lee, Chevy Chase, George Hamilton, and David Hasselhoff utilized him as a stunt double. He directed films including Miami Beach Cops, The Death Merchant, and Evil Altar in addition to his career as a stunt performer.
Twitter users commemorate
James Winburn has become well-known in recent years for his work in film and television. Following the announcement of his demise, his followers expressed their sorrow on social media.
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