Hollywood is mourning the loss of Neil Summers, the veteran stuntman and actor best known for his appearances in Dick Tracy and RoboCop. He has died at the age of 81.
David Friedman, a close family friend, told TMZ that Neil passed away last Thursday at his home in Kanab, Utah, surrounded by his loved ones. As per the same report, Neil died from natural causes, though there has been no official cause of death released at this time.
Who Was Neil Summers?
Neil Summers was an English-American actor and stuntman whose career in Hollywood spanned over five decades. Best known for his role as The Rodent in the 1990 crime-action film Dick Tracy, Summers left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry through his versatile work as both a performer and a stuntman. His contributions extended to iconic films like RoboCop, The Shawshank Redemption, and My Name Is Nobody, as well as numerous television shows and Westerns
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on April 28, 1944, in London, England, Neil Summers moved to the United States at a young age and began pursuing a career in film. His big break came in 1963, when he landed a role as a stunt extra in the John Wayne classic McLintock! after relocating to Tucson, Arizona. That appearance marked the beginning of a career that would span more than six decades.
A Career Built on Action and Dedication
Summers quickly gained recognition for his fearlessness and talent as a stunt performer. He worked alongside some of the industry’s biggest names, including John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Warren Oates, Elvis Presley, and Roddy McDowall. Over time, his stunt credits grew to include blockbusters such as The Outlaw Josey Wales, El Dorado, Mars Attacks!, The Naked Gun series, U.S. Marshalls, Harry and the Hendersons, and Howard the Duck.
But Neil Summers was not just a stuntman. He successfully transitioned into acting, securing memorable roles. Audiences remember him as Rodent in Warren Beatty’s Dick Tracy (1990), along with appearances in RoboCop, The Shawshank Redemption, and Sergio Leone’s spaghetti western My Name Is Nobody.
A Lasting Legacy
Summers’s career showcased his adaptability—moving seamlessly between dangerous stunts and on-screen roles that left a lasting impression. His dedication to his craft made him a trusted name in Hollywood for decades, often called upon to double for leading actors and perform high-risk sequences that brought authenticity to countless films.
