Key Highlights:
– Renowned Australian stuntman Grant Page has died aged 85.
– Page, famous for his work in films like ‘Stunt Rock,’ ‘Mad Max,’ and ‘Road Games,’ has had a significant influence on the stunt community.
– His death was announced by Mark Hartley, director of the documentary ‘Not Quite Hollywood,’ which features Page’s career.
– Page was notable for his fearless approach to stunt work, particularly his fire effects.
The Australian film industry mourns the loss of its legendary stuntman, Grant Page, who transitioned to the great beyond at the age of 85. His passing has left a void in the industry.
A Stunt Pioneer
Grant Page was an illustrious figure, revered in the Australian movie industry and beyond. He blazed a trail in the stuntman sector, having lent his unmatched skills to notable action films shot in Australia over the past five decades. Stunt Rock, a lesser-known wild midnight movie, features Page playing himself in a unique mingling of reality and make-believe. In this film, Page visits Los Angeles for a TV show’s stunt work, making connections with a heavy metal band named Sorcery, akin to KISS.
Humble Beginnings
Stunt Rock was not Page’s only significant contribution to the stunt and film world. Movie lovers and critics will fondly remember his stunt work in much-admired films like Mad Max, and Road Games, where he played the mostly hidden enemy. Despite his age, the venerable stuntman remained actively involved in the industry up to recent times. He worked on sizable expensive productions like Gods of Egypt and Mechanic: Resurrection.
An Icon Remembered
Deemed an antipodean icon by Mark Hartley, director of Not Quite Hollywood, Page’s death announcement came through Hartley’s Facebook page. The documentary offered a heartfelt tribute to the stuntman, featuring discussions with well-known figures from the industry. Both George Lazenby, who Page doubled for in The Man from Hong Kong, and Stacy Keach, his antagonist in Road Games, offered fond recollections. In his echoes, Hartley hopes that their documentary captured and honoured Page’s lion-hearted fearlessness and his exceptional contributions to the industry. Page’s performances should cement his legacy as not just Australia’s premiere stuntman but as an icon in the antipodes.
Wider Recognition
One notable aspect of Page’s work was his groundbreaking fire effects, marking his reputation as a risk-taker in the stunt community. Despite the inherent dangers associated with stunt performances, Page’s fearlessness and dedication set him apart in the field. This kind of commitment often goes unrecognized in the industry, even though this group deserves an Oscar category for their outstanding contributions to the industry.
Page’s death is indeed a tremendous loss for the stunt industry for which he was a legend. His jaw-dropping performances, unflinching courage, and dedicated work ethic will continue to inspire future generations of stunt professionals.
In closing, we remember Grant Page as a true luminary in the world of stunt performances. His enduring legacy will be in the courageous roles he played, the boundaries he pushed, and the paths he opened for others in the Australian film industry. His life and career have been nothing short of extraordinary and, even in death, his spirit of fearlessness lives on.
