Neil Summers, a veteran Hollywood stuntman and actor, has died at 81.
The star was best remembered for his role as The Rodent in the 1990 crime-action classic Dick Tracy.
Summers passed away from natural causes, though an official cause has not yet been released, per TMZ.
In addition to Dick Tracy, Summers appeared in iconic films including RoboCop, The Shawshank Redemption, and My Name Is Nobody.
His stunt work spanned decades, with credits on Holes, Bedazzled, U.S. Marshalls, Harry and the Hendersons, Howard the Duck, Better Off Dead, The Outlaw Josey Wales, El Dorado, multiple Naked Gun films, and Mars Attacks!, among others.
Over the years, Summers shared the set with Hollywood legends like Elvis Presley, John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood, making a name for himself as a stuntman who smoothly transitioned into acting.
Neil Summers, a veteran Hollywood stuntman and actor, has died at 81
The star was best remembered for his role as The Rodent in the 1990 crime-action classic Dick Tracy
He is survived by his sister, niece, nephew, and longtime partner, Karen.
Summers is being remembered fondly by fans and colleagues alike, with many highlighting his memorable roles, including Dougy in RoboCop.
Dougy, a member of crime boss Clarence Boddicker’s gang, meets his end early in the film when Officer Murphy confronts the gang at their steel mill hideout.
Tributes quickly began pouring in online.
One fan wrote, ‘I learned that actor/stuntman Neil Summers, who portrayed The Rodent in Dick Tracy, has passed away.
‘He starred in numerous film & TV westerns and owned one of the largest western collections in the world. He was a true gentleman and cowboy at heart. He was 81 yrs old. RIP sir.’
Another added, ‘I’m very sad to hear that my dear friend Neil Summers has passed away. Rest in Peace my friend, you were a real Cowboy.’
Born in London, England, Summers launched his Hollywood career in 1963, traveling to Tucson, Arizona, to appear as a stunt extra in McLintock!.
Summers played Dougy in the 1987 film RoboCop
Summers played The Rodent in the 1990 film, which starred Warren Beatty, Madonna, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Glenne Headly, Marcia Gay Harden, Charlie Korsmo, Paul Sorvino, and Kate Mulgrew
Tributes quickly began pouring in online
Over the decades, he became a go-to stunt performer, doubling for actors such as Warren Oates, Roddy McDowall, Michael Anderson Jr., and Michael J. Pollard.
Summers’ work wasn’t limited to stunts — he also carved out a memorable acting career.
He appeared in numerous classic TV shows, including Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Barnaby Jones, Death Valley Days, The High Chaparral, The Fall Guy, Petrocelli, and Daniel Boone.
His film credits are equally impressive, spanning iconic Westerns and blockbuster hits alike, including Duel at Diablo, Heaven with a Gun, El Dorado, True Grit, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Rio Lobo, RoboCop, Wild at Heart, Rough Night in Jericho, The Shawshank Redemption, and Guns of a Stranger.
From sharing sets with legends like Elvis Presley, John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood to becoming a beloved figure in Western circles, Summers left a lasting mark on Hollywood both in front of and behind the camera.
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