Ted Mapes Real name: John Tylor Mapes 1901 - 1984 | ||
Above - Ted Mapes in his 'costume' as the double for Herman Brix (Bruce Bennett) in the Republic serial HAWK OF THE WILDERNESS (1938). | Above is a crop of Mapes from a still from the Johnny Mack Brown oater DRIFTING ALONG (1946). The gal on the left is Lynne Carver. | |
Mapes did extensive stuntwork and doubling at Republic Pictures ... also doubled Charles Starrett at Columbia prior to Jock Mahoney assuming that job ... tall and thin, Mapes also was the double for Gary Cooper and Jimmy Stewart in dozens of their films. In the B grade western, Mapes frequently appeared in front of the camera as a heavy, gang or posse member, etc. You may also want to check the California Death Index. There you will find a record for: John T. Mapes, born 11/25/1901 in Nebraska, Mother's maiden name of Welch, and he passed away on September 9, 1984. There is a corresponding record in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Ted Mapes: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544578/ Find A Grave website has a photo of the marker for John Tylor Mapes who is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills), Los Angeles, California: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25518661/john-tylor-mapes |
(Courtesy of Nettie (Boardman) Colfack, cousin to Ted Mapes) In November, 2011, Cindy Schlueter and ye Old Corral webmaster connected about her relative, stuntman Ted Mapes. The photo above is from Cindy's grandmother who was a cousin to Mapes. From left to right are brothers and sister Donald Mapes, Dorothy Mapes, Chester Mapes and Ted Mapes. Based on the clothes, hair styles, and moustache style, this photo is probably 1970s vintage. (Courtesy of Les Adams) Mapes also did a bunch of bit and supporting roles in front of the camera. Above left to right are Mapes, Bob Livingston, Chief Thunder Cloud, Walter Wills (doctor), Betty Roadman and Robert McClung in a Chapter 9 scene from THE LONE RANGER RIDES AGAIN (Republic, 1939). (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from L-to-R are Ted Mapes, Sally Payne, Chuck Baldra, Roy Rogers, unidentified woman (Fern Emmett?), and Fred Burns in a crop from a lobby card from IN OLD CHEYENNE (Republic, 1941). (Courtesy of Minard Coons) Left to right are Kermit Maynard, Ted Mapes and Ray 'Crash' Corrigan in Range Busters adventure #15, TEXAS TROUBLE SHOOTERS (Monogram, 1942). (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from L-to-R are Douglas Fowley, Lynne Carver, stuntman Ted Mapes (with hat), Steve Clark, Terry Frost (with hat), Johnny Mack Brown, Lynton Brent (partial face), a very old Jack Rockwell (wearing the suit), Tom Quinn, and Raymond Hatton in a scene from JMB's DRIFTING ALONG (Monogram, 1946). |
Boyd Magers' Western Clippings often includes articles authored by Neil Summers on the stunt men, and following is Neil's remembrances and biographical info on Ted Mapes. Thanks to Neil for the writeup and to Boyd Magers for permission to reprint on the Old Corral. Ted Mapes by Neil Summers Stuntman Ted Mapes worked in the halcyon days of Hollywood when film-making was fun and adventurous. Ted was born in St. Edward, NE, November 25, 1901, and grew up on his father's wheat farm where they also ran a small herd of 75 to 100 head of cattle. Eventually, the 6' plus Ted decided there must be more than wheat farming for a strapping young man. He headed west to California to seek his fame and fortune. Ted was 28 when, working as a driver for an L.A. storage company, he was assigned to move actor John Barrymore's baggage and equipment off the Goldwyn lot. While on the lot Ted discovered the grips were making twice what his salary was at the storage company so, within six months, Ted was hired on as a grip. |