David R. Ellis | |
|---|---|
 Ellis at the premiere ofSnakes on a Plane in 2006 | |
| Born | David Richard Ellis (1952-09-08)September 8, 1952 Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Died | January 7, 2013(2013-01-07) (aged 60) Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Occupation(s) | Film director,second unit director,stuntman |
| Years active | 1975–2013 |
David Richard Ellis (September 8, 1952 – January 7, 2013) was an Americanfilm director andstunt performer born inSanta Monica, California, in 1952. His credits included dozens of films and television series includingNational Lampoon's Vacation,Baywatch,Lethal Weapon, andPatriot Games.[1]
He also served assecond unit director on blockbusteraction films likeWaterworld,Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,The Matrix Reloaded, andMaster and Commander: The Far Side of the World. His feature directorial credits included the action thrillerSnakes on a Plane and two entries in theFinal Destination series.
On January 7, 2013, Ellis was found dead in his hotel room inJohannesburg,South Africa. The cause of his death remains unknown.
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 theKurt Russell filmThe Strongest Man in the World. In 1978, he received a promotion to stunt coordinator onThe Invasion of the Body Snatchers. After several successful years in this position, he worked from 1986 onwards as asecond unit director before making his debut as a director in theDisney live-action filmHomeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco. He is best known for directing two of theFinal Destination films and the 2006 filmSnakes on a Plane, which became an Internet phenomenon.[2][3]
As a stunt man he was best known for his work in the movieScarface. Other notable works as a stunt man includeFatal Attraction,Lethal Weapon, the television seriesBaywatch, andPatriot Games. As a second unit director he worked on a number of well-known movies that includeHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,The Matrix Reloaded,Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, andCop Out. At the time of his death, two works involving Ellis were still in post-production:47 Ronin andR.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, andWinter'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, andShark Night. At the time of his death, he was in pre-production for a live-action version of the violent animeKite.[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 onThe 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]
David R. Ellis was the father of producerTawny, photographer Cheyenne Ellis, andUC 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]
On January 7, 2013, Ellis's body was found in the bathroom of his hotel room[10] inJohannesburg, South Africa. He was preparing to directKite at the time.[4][5] No cause of death has been released; police say no foul play was suspected.[11]
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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] |
| Year | Project | Episode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Baywatch |
| as David Ellis |
| 1990 |
|
| 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) |
| Year | Film | Episode | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | V: The Final Battle |
| Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis |
| V | |||
| 1989 | Baywatch |
| |
| 1990 |
|
David Ellis was second-unit director
