Tony Epper
American actor
title: "Tony Epper" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1938-births", "2012-deaths", "american-stunt-performers", "american-male-film-actors", "american-male-television-actors", "deaths-from-cancer-in-idaho"] description: "American actor" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Epper" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary American actor ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox person"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Tony Epper |
| image | Publicity_Photo_of_Tony_Epper.jpg |
| caption | Publicity Photo of Tony Epper |
| birth_date | |
| birth_place | Los Angeles, California |
| death_date | |
| death_place | Salmon, Idaho |
| occupation | Actor, stuntman |
| years_active | 1951–1996 |
| spouse | Donna Epper |
| (m. ?–2012; his death) | |
| children | 4 |
| father | John Epper |
| mother | Frances Epper |
| relatives | Jeannie Epper (sister) |
| Gary Epper (brother) | |
| :: |
|name=Tony Epper | image = Publicity_Photo_of_Tony_Epper.jpg | caption = Publicity Photo of Tony Epper |birth_date= |birth_place=Los Angeles, California |death_date= |death_place=Salmon, Idaho |occupation = Actor, stuntman |years_active = 1951–1996 |spouse = Donna Epper (m. ?–2012; his death) |children = 4 | father = John Epper | mother = Frances Epper |relatives = Jeannie Epper (sister) Gary Epper (brother) John Anthony Epper Members include his sister, stuntwoman Jeannie Epper, and his brothers, Gary Epper and Andy Epper.
Epper, the son of stuntman John Epper, was born in Los Angeles, California. He began his stunt and acting career in the 1950s, performing as an uncredited actor in Carbine Williams in 1952, The Story of Will Rogers in 1952 and Ma and Pa Kettle at Home in 1954.
Epper alternated between stunt working and acting roles throughout his career. His stunt credits included Bram Stoker's Dracula, Con Air, Thelma & Louise, Jingle All the Way, Lethal Weapon 2, and Patriot Games. In addition to stunt work, Epper acted in numerous films including The Cowboys, Dick Tracy, The Beastmaster, Valdez Is Coming, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Scalphunters, Cutter's Way, and The Hitcher.
Epper's television work began in 1958 when he appeared in an episode of the sitcom Bachelor Father. He appeared in more than a dozen television series, including Batman, Charlie's Angels, MacGyver, and The A-Team. His last television role occurred in 1996, when he portrayed an inebriated Klingon in an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Personal life
Epper and his wife, Donna, had four children together: stuntman and actor Danny Epper; and three daughters, Traci, Rona and Casey.
Epper died from cancer at his Idaho home on July 20, 2012, at the age of 73.
Filmography
::data[format=table]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Elopement | Reagan Boy | Uncredited |
| 1952 | Carbine Williams | Wesley Williams | Uncredited |
| 1954 | Ma and Pa Kettle at Home | Donny Kettle | Uncredited |
| 1964 | Mail Order Bride | Cowboy | Uncredited |
| 1968 | The Scalphunters | Scalphunter | |
| 1969 | The Gay Deceivers | Vince | |
| 1969 | Paint Your Wagon | Miner | Uncredited |
| 1971 | Valdez Is Coming | Bodyguard | |
| 1972 | The Cowboys | Rustler #5 | |
| 1972 | The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid | Lumberjack | Uncredited |
| 1972 | Ulzana's Raid | Trooper #5 | |
| 1977 | Bad Georgia Road | Jessie | |
| 1979 | Buck Rogers in the 25th Century | Drunk | |
| 1981 | Cutter's Way | Guard #2 | |
| 1982 | The Beastmaster | Jun Leader | |
| 1984 | The Wild Life | Redneck Drunk #1 | |
| 1985 | Runaway Train | Hitman | |
| 1986 | The Hitcher | Trooper Conners | |
| 1986 | Hamburger: The Motion Picture | Biker Gang Leader | |
| 1986 | Bad Guys | Biker in Bar | Uncredited |
| 1987 | Outrageous Fortune | Russell | |
| 1987 | Shy People | Jake | |
| 1988 | Alien from L.A. | Terminating Hood | |
| 1989 | Homer and Eddie | Gas Station Attendant | |
| 1989 | National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation | Bozo #1 | |
| 1990 | Dick Tracy | Steve the Tramp | |
| 1990 | Don't Tell Her It's Me | Gas Station Thug | |
| 1990 | Kid | Truck | |
| 1991 | Suburban Commando | Teeth | |
| 1992 | Freejack | Hungry Diner | |
| 1993 | Nowhere to Run | Fire Thug Al | |
| 1993 | Joshua Tree | Transport Guard #1 | |
| 1993 | Excessive Force | Delivery Man | |
| 1996 | Sunchaser | Hay Hauler | |
| 1996 | Johns | Santa Claus | (final film role) |
| :: |
References
References
- (2012-07-30). "Actor-stuntman Tony Epper dies at 73". [[Chicago Tribune]].
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::