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 career in stunt work spanned many years, featuring roles in films such as Holes, Bedazzled, U.S. Marshalls, Harry and the Hendersons, Howard the Duck, Better Off Dead, The Outlaw Josey Wales, El Dorado, several Naked Gun movies, and Mars Attacks!, among others.
Throughout the years, Summers worked alongside Hollywood icons like Elvis Presley, John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood, establishing himself as a stuntman who effortlessly moved 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 the crime boss Clarence Boddicker’s crew, meets his demise early in the movie when Officer Murphy encounters the gang at their hideout steel mill.
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 featured in numerous film & TV westerns and possessed one of the biggest western collections globally. A genuine gentleman and cowboy at heart, he was 81 years old. Rest in peace, 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 portrayed The Rodent in the 1990 movie, which featured stars like Warren Beatty, Madonna, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Glenne Headly, Marcia Gay Harden, Charlie Korsmo, Paul Sorvino, and Kate Mulgrew.
Over the years, he became a sought-after 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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