Introduction
Joe Powell (21 March 1922 - 30 June 2016) was a British stuntman and actor. He was known as the “daddy of British stuntmen”.
Early Life & Career
Joe was born in Shepherd's Bush, London. In 1946 he met with the actor Dennis Price which led to him getting a job as an extra at Pinewood Studios. He was sparring at the London's Polytechnic Boxing Club and soon became a founding partner in a stunt team by Captain Jock Easton. Powell performed stuntwork in many films, including The Guns of Navarone (1961), The Longest Day (1962), Cleopatra (1963) and Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965). He also participated in several James Bond films. He is listed as having performed one of the 10 best stunts ever pulled by The Guardian.
Personal life and Family
Joe was twice married, first to Marguerite and after to Juliet. Joe is survived by four sons and a daughter. He was the brother of Eddie Powell, also a film stuntman.
Publications
Joe Powell also published a book on his life known as 'The Life and Times of a Fall Guy'