Actor/Stuntman. Kennedy was a face seen in the background of many classic westerns between the 1930s and 1950s. In one of his rare speaking roles, Kennedy played Trooper Heinze in the John Wayne movie "Rio Grande." Kennedy pioneered the training of "falling horses" and was an expert at saddle falls and blind wagon driving. Some of Kennedy's other movie appearances were: "The Adventures of Robin Hood," "Red River," "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," "The Searchers" and "Hondo." In 1958, Kennedy was hired for a small part in his friend John Ford's production of "The Horse Soldiers" in Louisiana. To earn extra money for doing a stunt, Kennedy talked Ford into allowing him to perform a saddle fall. During the stunt, Kennedy broke his neck and died while being transported to the hospital. Ford, distraught over the death of Kennedy, shut down production and returned to Hollywood. The final battle scene for "The Horse Soldiers" was shot at a later date in the San Fernando Valley area, instead of on location in Louisiana. The scene with Kennedy's fatal saddle fall was kept in the movie. In 1982 Kennedy was inducted into the Hollywood Stuntman's Hall of Fame.
Actor/Stuntman. Kennedy was a face seen in the background of many classic westerns between the 1930s and 1950s. In one of his rare speaking roles, Kennedy played Trooper Heinze in the John Wayne movie "Rio Grande." Kennedy pioneered the training of "falling horses" and was an expert at saddle falls and blind wagon driving. Some of Kennedy's other movie appearances were: "The Adventures of Robin Hood," "Red River," "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," "The Searchers" and "Hondo." In 1958, Kennedy was hired for a small part in his friend John Ford's production of "The Horse Soldiers" in Louisiana. To earn extra money for doing a stunt, Kennedy talked Ford into allowing him to perform a saddle fall. During the stunt, Kennedy broke his neck and died while being transported to the hospital. Ford, distraught over the death of Kennedy, shut down production and returned to Hollywood. The final battle scene for "The Horse Soldiers" was shot at a later date in the San Fernando Valley area, instead of on location in Louisiana. The scene with Kennedy's fatal saddle fall was kept in the movie. In 1982 Kennedy was inducted into the Hollywood Stuntman's Hall of Fame.
Bio by: Randy
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