Gary Kent — renowned actor, director, and stuntman whose career is believed to have inspired Quentin Tarantino's film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood — passed away at the age of 89 at his home in Austin, TX, Thursday (May 26) night.
Kent's early film credits included various low-budget movies in the 1960s, such as The Black Klansman and biker film The Savage Seven.
Notably, he also performed as a stunt double for Bruce Dern in the 1969 cult classic exploitation film Psych-Out. Throughout his career, Kent contributed to numerous TV shows and feature films as a stuntman, adding action to popular productions.
Tarantino drew inspiration from Kent's life and career to create the character Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Kent's encounters with Bruce Lee and the Charles Manson family also influenced the film's storyline.
Kent wrote and directed The Pyramid in 1976 and authored his memoir Shadows & Light: Journeys With Outlaws in Revolutionary Hollywood in 2009.
He is survived by six children and four grandchildren, and his ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean, as per his wishes.
Kent's early film credits included various low-budget movies in the 1960s, such as The Black Klansman and biker film The Savage Seven.
Notably, he also performed as a stunt double for Bruce Dern in the 1969 cult classic exploitation film Psych-Out. Throughout his career, Kent contributed to numerous TV shows and feature films as a stuntman, adding action to popular productions.
Tarantino drew inspiration from Kent's life and career to create the character Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Kent's encounters with Bruce Lee and the Charles Manson family also influenced the film's storyline.
Kent wrote and directed The Pyramid in 1976 and authored his memoir Shadows & Light: Journeys With Outlaws in Revolutionary Hollywood in 2009.
He is survived by six children and four grandchildren, and his ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean, as per his wishes.
