David R. Ellis

David Richard Ellis (September 8, 1952 – January 7, 2013) was an American film director and stunt performer born in Santa Monica, California in 1952. His credits included dozens of films and television series including National Lampoon's Vacation, Baywatch, Lethal Weapon, and Patriot Games.
He also served as second unit director on blockbuster action films like Waterworld, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, The Matrix Reloaded, and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. His feature directorial credits included the action thriller Snakes on a Plane and two entries in the Final Destination series.
==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.
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. 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. Ellis was a member and served as vice president for an elite stunt performance organization known as Stunts Unlimited located in Sherman Oaks, California.
==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.
==Death==
On January 7, 2013, Ellis's body was found in the bathroom of his hotel room in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was preparing to direct Kite at the time. No cause of death has been released; however, police say no foul play was suspected.
==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 	 	as David Ellis
1990	Baywatch 	 	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 	 	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 	Role 	Notes
1975	The Strongest Man in the World	David (Student) 	
1977	Heroes 	Bar Patron #1 	
1978	Wonder Woman 	Ludwig 	TV Series
1978	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 	
1989	Blind Fury 	Ski Lodge Killer #3	
1990	The Bounty Hunter 	Townsperson 	(final film role)
===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 	 	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 	 	Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1990	Baywatch 	 	Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1990	Everybody Wins 	 	Stunt Coordinator - as David Ellis
1990	The Last of the Finest 	 	Stunt Coordinator - as David 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
Category:1952 births
Category:2013 deaths
Category:Film directors from California
Category:People from Santa Monica, California
Category:American male child actors
Category:English-language film directors
Category:Horror film directors