Carl Ciarfalio, Stuntman Behind “Fight Club” and “Spider-Man,” Dies at 72
Hollywood has sadly lost one of its unsung heroes. Carl Ciarfalio, a prolific stuntman and actor whose face you might not know but whose work you’ve definitely seen, has passed away at the age of 72. His wife, Teri Ryan, shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook, stating he “passed peacefully” surrounded by his loved ones. No cause of death has been made public at this time.
News of Carl Ciarfalio’s Passing
In a touching tribute, Ryan wrote in a social media post, “Our Carl has passed on. And by ‘our’ I mean all of us. He was so special to everyone. We will celebrate his special life and light… I know the laughter will flow with the tears.” She shared a poignant, intimate detail of his final days, a testament to his strength: “About a week before, he went inside and [was] quiet. Just as we were accepting that we’d never interact with him again, he used his strength to wake up and say goodbyes to each of us. It was so pure and lovely and powerful and just unreal.”
The Man Behind the Action
For those who love movies, Carl Ciarfalio was a titan who often worked in the shadows. His career, spanning over four decades and boasting more than 300 credits, is a roadmap through modern Hollywood action. His collaborations were with a who’s who of legendary directors and actors, including Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Quentin Tarantino, and Tom Cruise. If there was a punch thrown, a car flipped, or a fall taken in a major blockbuster, there was a good chance Carl Ciarfalio was involved.
His journey began not on a film set, but on the wrestling mats in college. This led him to perform live stunt shows at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. Knott’s is an ideal training ground for future on-screen stunt actors – and daredevils. By the 1980s, he became a regular fixture on television, as he was performing stunts and taking on small roles in beloved shows like “Magnum, P.I.” and “MacGyver.”
A Career Full of Iconic Moments
Ciarfalio’s filmography is impressive – it reads like a movie lover’s dream playlist. He brought his physical prowess and strength to everything from the James Bond film “Licence to Kill” to the satirical chaos of “Beetlejuice” and “Wayne’s World.” Whether he was taking hits in “Fight Club” or coordinating the explosive action in “The Expendables,” Ciarfalio was a dependable force.
Beyond performing, Ciarfalio was a fierce advocate for his peers. He was the president of the Stuntmen’s Association of Motion Pictures, and he was instrumental in establishing the Emmy Award for Outstanding Stunt Coordination, finally giving stunt professionals the recognition they had long deserved. He worked to ensure that the stunt artists who risk their bodies for our entertainment were recognized and honored for their craft.
Though we are mourning the loss of this Hollywood legend, we are also celebrating a life dedicated to the wonderful magic of the screen. Carl Ciarfalio was much more than a stuntman; he was a huge part of cinematic history – a man who brought action to life with both skill and heart.
