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David R. Ellis

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David R. Ellis
Ellis at the premiere of Snakes on a Plane in 2006
Born
David Richard Ellis

(1952-09-08)September 8, 1952
DiedJanuary 7, 2013(2013-01-07) (aged 60)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation(s)Film director, second unit director, stuntman
Years active1975–2013

David Richard Ellis (September 8, 1952 – January 7, 2013) was an American film director and stunt performer born in Santa Monica, California in 1952. His credits included dozens of films and television series including National Lampoon's Vacation, Baywatch, Lethal Weapon, and Patriot Games.[1]

He also served as second unit director on blockbuster action films like Waterworld, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Matrix Reloaded, and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. His feature directorial credits included the action thriller Snakes on a Plane and two entries in the Final Destination series.

On January 7, 2013, Ellis was found dead in his hotel room in Johannesburg, South Africa. The cause of his death remains unknown.

Career

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Following a successful career as a junior pro surfer, David Richard Ellis began his career in the film industry as a supporting actor in juvenile roles making his big screen debut in 1975 in the Kurt Russell film The Strongest Man in the World. In 1978, he received a promotion to stunt coordinator on The Invasion of the Body Snatchers. After several successful years in this position, he worked from 1986 onwards as a second unit director before making his debut as a director in the Disney live-action film Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco. He is best known for directing two of the Final Destination films and the 2006 film Snakes on a Plane, which became an Internet phenomenon.[2][3]

As a stunt man he was best known for his work in the movie Scarface. Other notable works as a stunt man include Fatal Attraction, Lethal Weapon, the television series Baywatch, and Patriot Games. As a second unit director he worked on a number of well-known movies that include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Matrix Reloaded, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, and Cop Out. At the time of his death, two works involving Ellis were still in post-production: 47 Ronin and R.I.P.D. while another, Winter's Tale, was still being filmed. R.I.P.D. was released in July 2013, 47 Ronin was released in December of that year, and Winter's Tale was released in February 2014.

He was perhaps best known as a director with seven titles under his belt. Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco, Final Destination 2, Cellular, Snakes on a Plane, Asylum, The Final Destination, and Shark Night. At the time of his death, he was in pre-production for a live-action version of the violent anime Kite.[4][5] Ralph Ziman became the film's director.

Ellis was nominated for the Taurus Award along with Glenn Boswell and R. A. Rondell in 2003 for his stunt coordination work on The Matrix Reloaded.[6] Ellis was a member and served as vice president for an elite stunt performance organization known as Stunts Unlimited located in Sherman Oaks, California.[7][8]

Personal life

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David R. Ellis was the father of producer Tawny, photographer Cheyenne Ellis, and UC Irvine English Instructor, Tagert Ellis. He was the son of Richard and Andrea Ellis, the grandfather to Kodiak and Ridge Ellis, as well as the brother of Annie, Lori, and Chenoa Ellis. He is survived by his wife Cindy.

When Ellis was once about to be carjacked, trapped between two other cars, he used his stunt-driving prowess to whip his car out of the tiny gap and face the carjackers, revving his engine, scaring them enough to get back into their cars and drive away.[9]

Death

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On January 7, 2013, Ellis's body was found in the bathroom of his hotel room[10] in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was preparing to direct Kite at the time.[4][5] No cause of death has been released; police say no foul play was suspected.[11]

Filmography

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Director

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Year Film Budget Worldwide gross
1996 Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco $32,772,492 (USA)[12]
2003 Final Destination 2 $26,000,000 $90,941,129[13]
2004 Cellular $25,000,000 $57,678,321[14]
2006 Snakes on a Plane $33,000,000 $62,022,014[15]
2008 Asylum $11,000,000 Direct-to-video
2009 The Final Destination $40,000,000 $186,167,139[16]
2011 Shark Night $28,000,000 $41,363,927[17]

Second unit director

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Film

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Year Project Director Notes
1986 Condor Virgil W. Vogel as David Ellis
1987 Fatal Attraction Adrian Lyne uncredited
1989 Warlock Steve Miner
1990 The Last of the Finest John MacKenzie
1991 Life Stinks Mel Brooks uncredited
1992 Kuffs Bruce A. Evans as David Ellis
Thunderheart Michael Apted as David Richard Ellis
Patriot Games Philip Noyce
Whispers in the Dark Christopher Crowe
Forever Young Steve Miner
1993 Body of Evidence Uli Edel
Sliver Philip Noyce
Made in America Richard Benjamin
Beethoven's 2nd Rod Daniels
1994 Iron Will Charles Haid
My Father the Hero Steve Miner as David Ellis
Blank Check Rupert Wainwright
Clear and Present Danger Philip Noyce
The Jungle Book Stephen Sommers
1995 Waterworld Kevin Reynolds
1997 The Devil's Own Alan J. Pakula Dublin - as David Ellis
1998 Desperate Measures Barbet Schroeder
Sphere Barry Levinson as David Ellis
The Negotiator F. Gary Gray Los Angeles - as David Ellis
Holy Man Stephen Herek
Soldier Paul W.S. Anderson as David Ellis
1999 Deep Blue Sea Renny Harlin
Ride with the Devil Ang Lee
Blue Streak Les Mayfield
2000 The Kid Jon Turteltaub
The Perfect Storm Wolfgang Petersen
2001 Exit Wounds Andrzej Bartkowiak as David Ellis
Just Visiting Jean-Marie Gaubert
Rock Star Stephen Herek
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Chris Columbus
2003 The Matrix Reloaded[18] The Wachowskis USA - as David Ellis
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World Peter Weir
2010 Cop Out Kevin Smith
2013 R.I.P.D. Robert Schwentke
47 Ronin Carl Rinsch
2014 Winter's Tale Akiva Goldsman as David Ellis; final film

Television

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Year Project Episode Notes
1989 Baywatch
  • "Rookie School"
  • "The Reunion"
as David Ellis
1990
  • "We Need a Vacation"
  • "Muddy Waters"

Actor

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Year Film Role Notes
1975 The Strongest Man in the World David (Student)
1977 Heroes Bar Patron #1
1978 Wonder Woman Ludwig TV Series
Flying High Quarterback TV Series
1979 Boardwalk Bath attendant
1982 Rocky III Opponent #7
1987 Anna Daniel's Father
1988 Guns of Paradise Lester Bradley TV Series
1989 The Mighty Quinn Jersey
Blind Fury Ski Lodge Killer #3
1990 The Bounty Hunter Townsperson (final film role)

Stunts

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Film

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Year Film Director Role
1976 Baby Blue Marine John D. Hancock uncredited
Bound for Glory Hal Ashby as David Ellis
1977 Smokey and the Bandit Hal Needham uncredited
1978 Game of Death Bruce Lee motorcycle stunts - as David Ellis
Deathsport Allan Arkush
Hot Lead and Cold Feet Robert Butler as David Ellis
Hopper Hal Needham
Invasion of the Body Snatchers Philip Kaufman Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1979 Fast Charlie... the Moonbeam Rider Steve Carver motorcycle stunts - as David Ellis
1980 Carny Robert Kaylor Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
Smokey and the Bandit II Hal Needham as David Ellis
1981 Back Roads Martin Ritt Stunt Coordinator
King of the Mountain Noel Nosseck
Take This Job and Shove It Gus Trikonis as David Ellis
Nice Dreams Tommy Chong Stunt Double for Tommy Chong - as David Ellis
S.O.B. Blake Edwards as David Ellis
Return of the Rebels Noel Nosseck Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
Taps Harold Becker as David Ellis
Sharky's Machine Burt Reynolds
1982 Megaforce Hal Needham
The Beastmaster Don Coscarelli
Fast Times at Ridgemont High Amy Heckerling
Lookin' to Get Out Hal Ashby
Airplane II: The Sequel Ken Finkleman Stunt Coordinator
1983 Second Thoughts Lawrence Turman Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
Private School Noel Black
National Lampoon's Vacation Harold Ramis as David Ellis
Scarface Brian De Palma
Gorky Park Michael Apted Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1984 Fooling Around Richard T. Heffron
1985 To Live and Die in L.A. William Friedkin
1986 Out of Bounds Richard Tuggle
A Fine Mess Blake Edwards as David Ellis
The Wraith Mike Marvin
1987 Critical Condition Michael Apted Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
Lethal Weapon Richard Donner as David Ellis
Burglar Hugh Wilson Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
Fatal Attraction Adrian Lyne
Real Men Dennis Feldman as David Ellis
1988 The Presidio Peter Hyams
1989 Gleaming the Cube Graeme Clifford as David Ellis
Dead Bang John Frankenheimer
She's Out of Control Stan Dragoti
Warlock Steve Miner Stunt Coordinator
Road House Rowdy Herrington as David Ellis
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier William Shatner as David Richard Ellis
Tennessee Waltz Nicolas Gessner Fight Coordinator - as David Richard Ellis
Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge Richard Friedman as David Ellis
1990 Everybody Wins Karel Reisz Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
The Last of the Finest John MacKanzie
Catchfire Dennis Hopper
Impulse Sondra Locke Stunt Coordinator
Days of Thunder Tony Scott as David Ellis
Ghost Dad Sidney Poitier
The Freshman Andrew Bergman Stunt Coordinator
Misery Rob Reiner Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1991 Life Stinks Mel Brooks Stunt Coordinator - as David Richard Ellis
Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken Steve Miner Stunt Coordinator
The Addams Family Barry Sonnenfeld Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1992 Kuffs Bruce A. Evans
Patriot Games Philip Noyce Stunt Coordinator
Forever Young Steve Miner Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1993 Body of Evidence Uli Edel
Sliver Philip Noyce
Made in America Richard Benjamin Stunt Coordinator
The Man Without a Face Mel Gibson Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
Warlock: The Armageddon Anthony Hickox as David Ellis
1994 The Jungle Book Stephen Sommers Stunt Coordinator: USA - as David Ellis
1996 Harriet the Spy Bronwen Hughes as Dave Ellis
2009 Hotel for Dogs Thor Freudenthal as David Richard Ellis

Television

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Year Film Episode Role
1984 V: The Final Battle
  • Part One
  • Part Two
  • Part Three
Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
V
1989 Baywatch
  • In Deep
  • Heat Wave
  • Second Wave
  • Message in a Bottle
  • The Sky Is Falling
  • The Drowning Pool
  • Rookie School
  • Cruise Ship
  • The Cretin of the Shallows
  • Shelter Me
  • The Reunion
1990
  • Armored Car
  • Home Cort
  • We Need a Vacation
  • Muddy Waters

References

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  1. ^ Biography David R. Ellis imdb.Retrieved on August 9, 2023
  2. ^ Gilbey, Ryan (9 January 2013). "David R Ellis obituary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  3. ^ Dargis, Manohla (2006-08-19). "Snakes on a Plane". The New York Times.
  4. ^ a b Kit, Borys (January 7, 2013). "David R. Ellis, Director of 'Snakes on a Plane,' Dies at 60". The Hollywood Reporter.
  5. ^ a b The Deadline Team (January 7, 2013). "R.I.P David R. Ellis". Deadline Hollywood.
  6. ^ "Best Stunt Coordinator and/or 2nd Unit Director". 2004 World Stunt Awards. Taurus World Stunt Awards. 22 December 2022.
  7. ^ Karlin, Susan (September 16, 1991). "Southern California Job Market : For Some, Danger Is All in a Day's Work". Los Angeles Times. California.
  8. ^ "A dear friend, and former member, David Ellis has passed". California: Stunts Unlimited. January 8, 2013.
  9. ^ Smodcast.com Archived 2013-01-31 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (January 9, 2013). "Snakes on a Plane Director David R. Ellis Found Dead". People Magazine. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  11. ^ Lang, Derrik J. (January 7, 2013). "'Snakes on a Plane' director David R. Ellis dies". Associated Press - The Big Story. Archived from the original on 2013-01-11.
  12. ^ "BoxOfficeMojo". Archived from the original on 2019-12-14.
  13. ^ "BoxOfficeMojo". Archived from the original on 2022-05-20.
  14. ^ "BoxOfficeMojo". Archived from the original on 2023-10-06.
  15. ^ "BoxOfficeMojo". Archived from the original on 2021-08-19.
  16. ^ "BoxOfficeMojo". Archived from the original on 2021-07-14.
  17. ^ "BoxOfficeMojo". Archived from the original on 2023-02-04.
  18. ^ Gregory, Mollie (19 November 2015). Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 9780813166230. Retrieved 27 February 2016. David Ellis was second-unit director
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