- Horse Specialist
- Stunt Double
- Wrangler/Animal Specialist
- Second Unit Director
Hollywood Stunts Hall of Fame Inductee
Golden Age Era (1950–1969)
Induction Year: 1980
Stunt Performer
Chuck Roberson was one of Hollywood’s most respected stunt performers, horse specialists, and action actors, best known as John Wayne’s principal stunt double for more than thirty years and approximately thirty films. Nicknamed “Bad Chuck” within the stunt community, Roberson brought authentic cowboy skills, expert horsemanship, and remarkable physical presence to hundreds of motion pictures and television productions. Beginning his career at Republic Pictures in the late 1940s, he quickly became a trusted double for John Wayne in classics including Rio Grande, The Comancheros, McLintock!, The Cowboys, Cahill, Rooster Cogburn, and numerous other Westerns and adventure films. Beyond his stunt work, Roberson appeared in more than 150 acting roles and later expanded into second unit directing on productions such as 100 Rifles, Beneath the Planet of the Apes, and The Hawaiians. A mentor to future legends including Hal Needham and a 1980 Hollywood Stuntmen’s Hall of Fame inductee, Chuck Roberson remains one of the defining stunt professionals of Hollywood’s Golden Age and one of the most recognizable figures ever to emerge from the stunt community.
Career Highlights
- John Wayne’s Trusted Double for Nearly 30 Years – Doubled John Wayne from Rio Grande (1948) through The Shootist (1976), becoming one of the longest-serving and most recognizable stunt doubles in Hollywood history.
- Master Horseman and Trainer of the Legendary Stunt Horse “Cocaine” – Rescued, trained, and rode the famous stunt horse Cocaine, widely regarded as one of the greatest falling and transfer horses ever used in motion pictures and a key contributor to countless classic Western action sequences.
- Helped Define the Action of the Classic Hollywood Western – Performed and coordinated stunts for major stars including Gregory Peck, Clark Gable, Randolph Scott, Jeff Chandler, and John Wayne while contributing to landmark films such as The Alamo, Chisum, Rio Lobo, True Grit, and The Shootist.
Biography
Chuck Roberson was one of the most respected Western stunt performers in Hollywood history, a rugged horseman whose career became inseparably linked with that of John Wayne. Born in Roswell, New Mexico, Roberson grew up around horses and ranch life, developing the riding skills that would eventually make him one of the film industry’s premier stunt riders. After arriving in Hollywood, he found work as a stable hand and stunt performer at Republic Pictures, where his natural horsemanship and willingness to tackle difficult action scenes quickly earned him a reputation among directors and stunt coordinators.
Roberson’s life changed forever in the late 1940s when he began doubling John Wayne. Starting with Rio Grande (1948), he became Wayne’s principal stunt and riding double for nearly three decades. His resemblance to Wayne, combined with his ability to perfectly mimic the Duke’s riding style and physical mannerisms, made him invaluable. Audiences watching classic Wayne films often saw Roberson performing the dangerous horseback action, falls, fights, and riding sequences that helped define Wayne’s on-screen image. Their professional relationship evolved into a close friendship that lasted throughout Wayne’s life.
A master horseman, Roberson was equally famous for his partnership with the legendary stunt horse Cocaine. After purchasing the horse for only $74 and nursing it back to health, Roberson transformed Cocaine into one of Hollywood’s greatest stunt horses. Together they performed countless falls, transfers, chases, crashes, and action sequences in Westerns throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Roberson later described Cocaine as “the best falling horse in the business,” and the horse became nearly as famous among stunt professionals as its rider. Their partnership helped establish a standard of excellence in equestrian stunt work that remains admired today.
Beyond his work with Wayne, Roberson built an impressive career doubling many of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Gregory Peck, Clark Gable, Randolph Scott, Jeff Chandler, John Payne, and Vincent Price. His credits stretched across dozens of Westerns and action pictures, and he frequently served as an action advisor, stunt coordinator, or second-unit contributor. His expertise was utilized on major productions such as The Alamo, Taras Bulba, Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Chisum, Rio Lobo, True Grit, Rooster Cogburn, and The Shootist. Whether executing horseback stunts, wagon crashes, fight scenes, or precision falls, Roberson was known for his professionalism and reliability.
By the time the classic Hollywood Western era came to an end, Chuck Roberson had become one of its most enduring figures. He represented a direct link between the Republic Pictures stunt tradition and the large-scale Western epics of the 1960s and 1970s. More than simply John Wayne’s double, he was a skilled performer, accomplished horse trainer, action specialist, and mentor whose work helped shape the visual language of the American Western. His contributions continue to be celebrated as part of the rich legacy of Hollywood stunt history, earning him a lasting place among the great stunt performers of the twentieth century.
Awards and Honors
- Hollywood Stuntmen’s Hall of Fame Inductee(1980)
- John Wayne’s Principal Stunt Double (1948–1976) — nearly three decades as the Duke’s primary riding and action double.
Distinctions & Industry Recognition
- Recognized as One of Hollywood’s Premier Western Stunt Riders and Horsemen during the Golden Age and post-Golden Age Western eras.
- Trainer and Rider of the Legendary Stunt Horse “Cocaine,” regarded by many stunt professionals as one of the finest stunt horses in motion picture history.
- Second Unit Director and Action Specialist on numerous major productions, including Beneath the Planet of the Apes and several John Wayne films.
- Member of the Elite Circle of Western Stunt Performers that included Ben Johnson, Cliff Lyons, Chuck Hayward, Tom Steele, Joe Canutt, and Yakima Canutt.
- Contributed to More Than 100 Film and Television Productions across a career spanning nearly four decades.
- Widely Regarded as One of the Most Important Horse Stunt Specialists of the 20th Century.
Notable Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Rio Grande | Stunt Double |
| 1956 | The Searchers | Stunt Double |
| 1960 | The Alamo | Action Advisor |
| 1961 | The Comancheros | Stunt Double |
| 1962 | How the West Was Won | Stunt Performer |
| 1962 | Taras Bulba | Stunt Performer |
| 1969 | True Grit | Stunt Double |
| 1970 | Chisum | Stunt Double |
| 1970 | Rio Lobo | Stunt Double |
| 1976 | The Shootist | Stunt Double |
Photo Gallery
