David R. Ellis

David R. Ellis
Born	David Richard Ellis September 8, 1952 Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Died	January 7, 2013 (aged 60) Johannesburg, South Africa
Occupation	Film director, second unit director, stuntman
Years active	1978–2013

David Richard Ellis (September 8, 1952 – January 7, 2013) was an American film director and stuntman born in Santa Monica, California in 1952.

Career

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.^[1][2]

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 most recently 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.; another, Winter's Tale, was still being filmed. R.I.P.D. was released in July 2013; 47 Ronin was released in December 2013, while 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.^[3][4] 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.^[5] Ellis was a member and served as vice president for an elite stunt performance organization known as Stunts Unlimited located in Sherman Oaks, California.^[6][7]

Personal life

David R. Ellis was the father of producer Tawny and photographer Cheyenne 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.^[8]

Death

On January 7, 2013, Ellis's body was found in the bathroom of his hotel room^[9] in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was preparing to direct Kite at the time.^[3][4] No cause of death has been released; however, police say no foul play was suspected.^[10]

Filmography

Director

Year	Film	Budget	Worldwide gross
1996	Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco		$32,772,492 (USA)
2003	Final Destination 2	$26,000,000	$90,426,405
2004	Cellular	$25,000,000	$56,422,687
2006	Snakes on a Plane	$33,000,000	$62,022,014
2008	Asylum	$11,000,000	Direct-to-video
2009	The Final Destination	$40,000,000	$186,167,139
2011	Shark Night	$28,000,000	$40,136,479

Second Unit Director

Year	Film	Episode	Assistant Director
1986	Condor		as David Ellis
1987	Fatal Attraction		uncredited
1989	Warlock
1989	Baywatch	Rookie School The Reunion	as David Ellis
1990	Baywatch	We Need a Vacation Muddy Waters	as David Ellis
1990	The Last of the Finest
1991	Life Stinks		uncredited
1992	Kuffs		as David Ellis
1992	Thunderheart		as David Richard Ellis
1992	Patriot Games
1992	Whispers in the Dark
1992	Forever Young
1993	Body of Evidence
1993	Sliver
1993	Made in America
1993	Beethoven's 2nd
1994	Iron Will
1994	My Father the Hero		as David Ellis
1994	Blank Check
1994	Clear and Present Danger
1994	The Jungle Book
1995	Waterworld
1997	The Devil's Own		Dublin - as David Ellis
1998	Desperate Measures
1998	Sphere		as David Ellis
1998	The Negotiator		Los Angeles - as David Ellis
1998	Holy Man
1998	Soldier		as David Ellis
1999	Deep Blue Sea		as David Ellis
1999	Ride with the Devil		as David Ellis
1999	Blue Streak
2000	The Kid
2000	The Perfect Storm
2001	Exit Wounds		as David Ellis
2001	Just Visiting		as David Ellis
2001	Rock Star		as David Ellis
2001	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone		as David Ellis
2003	The Matrix Reloaded[11]		USA - as David Ellis
2003	Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
2010	Cop Out
2013	R.I.P.D.
2013	47 Ronin
2014	Winter's Tale		as David Ellis

Actor

Year	Film	Episode	Role
1975	The Strongest Man in the World		David (Student)
1977	Heroes		Bar Patron #1
1978	Wonder Woman	My Teenage Idol Is Missing	Ludwig
1978	Flying High	Fear of Cheesecake	Quarterback
1979	Boardwalk		Bath attendant
1982	Rocky III		Opponent
1987	Anna		Daniel's Father
1988	Guns of Paradise	Founders' Day	Lester Bradley
1989	The Mighty Quinn		Jersey
1989	Blind Fury		Ski Lodge Killer #3
1990	The Bounty Hunter		Townsperson

Stunts

Year	Film	Episode	Role
1976	Baby Blue Marine		uncredited
1976	Bound for Glory		as David Ellis
1977	Smokey and the Bandit		uncredited
1978	Game of Death		motorcycle stunts - as David Ellis
1978	Deathsport		motorcycle stunts - as David Ellis
1978	Hot Lead and Cold Feet		as David Ellis
1978	Hopper
1978	Invasion of the Body Snatchers		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1979	Fast Charlie... the Moonbeam Rider		motorcycle stunts - as David Ellis
1980	Carny		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1980	Smokey and the Bandit II		as David Ellis
1981	Back Roads		Stunt Coordinator
1981	King of the Mountain		Stunt Coordinator
1981	Take This Job and Shove It		as David Ellis
1981	Nice Dreams		Stunt Double for Chong - as David Ellis
1981	S.O.B.		as David Ellis
1981	Return of the Rebels		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1981	Taps		as David Ellis
1981	Sharky's Machine		as David Ellis
1982	Megaforce		as David Ellis
1982	The Beastmaster		as David Ellis
1982	Fast Times at Ridgemont High		as David Ellis
1982	Lookin' to Get Out		as David Ellis
1982	Airplane II: The Sequel		Stunt Coordinator
1983	Second Thoughts		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1983	V		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1983	Private School
1983	National Lampoon's Vacation		as David Ellis
1983	Scarface		as David Ellis
1983	Gorky Park		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1984	V: The Final Battle	Part One Part Two Part Three	Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1984	V		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1984	Fooling Around
1985	To Live and Die in L.A.
1986	Out of Bounds
1986	A Fine Mess		as David Ellis
1986	The Wraith		as David Ellis
1987	Critical Condition		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1987	Lethal Weapon		as David Ellis
1987	Burglar		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1987	Fatal Attraction		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1987	Real Men		as David Ellis
1988	The Presidio
1988	Remo Williams: The Prophecy		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1989	Gleaming the Cube		as David Ellis
1989	Dead Bang		as David Ellis
1989	She's Out of Control		as David Ellis
1989	Warlock		Stunt Coordinator
1989	Road House		as David Ellis
1989	Star Trek V: The Final Frontier		as David Richard Ellis
1989	Tennessee Waltz		Fight Coordinator - as David Richard Ellis
1989	Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge		as David Ellis
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	Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1990	Everybody Wins		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1990	Baywatch	Armored Car Home Cort We Need a Vacation Muddy Waters	Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1990	The Last of the Finest		Stunt Coordinator - as Davis Ellis
1990	Catchfire
1990	Impulse		Stunt Coordinator
1990	Days of Thunder		as David Ellis
1990	Ghost Dad		as David Ellis
1990	The Freshman		Stunt Coordinator
1990	Misery		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1991	Life Stinks		Stunt Coordinator - as David Richard Ellis
1991	Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken		Stunt Coordinator
1991	The Addams Family		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1992	Kuffs		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1992	Patriot Games		Stunt Coordinator
1992	Forever Young		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1993	Body of Evidence		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1993	Sliver		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1993	Made in America		Stunt Coordinator
1993	The Man Without a Face		Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1993	Warlock: The Armageddon		as David Ellis
1994	The Jungle Book		Stunt Coordinator: USA - as David Ellis
1996	Harriet the Spy		as Dave Ellis
2009	Hotel for Dogs		as David Richard Ellis

References

1. Gilbey, Ryan (9 January 2013). "David R Ellis obituary". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
2. Dargis, Manohla (2006-08-19). "Snakes on a Plane". The New York Times.
3. Kit, Borys (January 7, 2013). "David R. Ellis, Director of 'Snakes on a Plane,' Dies at 60". The Hollywood Reporter.
4. The Deadline Team (January 7, 2013). "R.I.P David R. Ellis". Deadline Hollywood.
5. "Best Stunt Coordinator and/or 2nd Unit Director". 2004 World Stunt Awards. Taurus World Stunt Awards.
6. Karlin, Susan (September 16, 1991). "Southern California Job Market : For Some, Danger Is All in a Day's Work". California: Los Angeles Times.
7. "A dear friend, and former member, David Ellis has passed". California: Stunts Unlimited. January 8, 2013.
8. Smodcast.com
9. Silverman, Stephen M. (January 9, 2013). "Snakes on a Plane Director David R. Ellis Found Dead". People Magazine. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
10. Lang, Derrik J. (January 7, 2013). "'Snakes on a Plane' director David R. Ellis dies". Associated Press - The Big Story.
11. Gregory, Mollie. Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 9780813166230. Retrieved 27 February 2016. David Ellis was second-unit director

External links

• David R. Ellis at the Internet Movie Database
• "Stunts Unlimited Honorary Members". California: Stunts Unlimited.