Biography

David R. Ellis

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Began as an actor in Kurt Russell-Disney Films in 1974. Made the switch to the Stunt world following a successful career as a junior pro surfer. Born, bred, and resided in Malibu. Many, many stunts later, David made the promotion to Stunt Coordinator in 1978 on Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978). Coordinating TV and films all over the world brought him up to the position of 2nd Unit Director on Gorky Park (1983). "Action" movies proceeded to explode along with David's career. Befriending Harrison Ford, two of David's most notable 2nd units were Patriot Games (1992) and Clear and Present Danger (1994). As shown in Filmography, he worked back-to-back until the break from Disney, offering to 1st unit Direct the feature, Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco (1996). Directorial debut grossed over $100 Million. Completed two features for 1997, Desperate Measures (1998) & Sphere (1998) with Barry Levinson.
- IMDb mini biography by: Athanatos173

His body was found in his hotel room in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was in pre-production on Kite (2014), a remake of a 1998 Japanese anime, starring Samuel L. Jackson. An autopsy was done and although no cause of death was given, police said no foul play was suspected.
Ellis worked as Second Unit Director on Cop Out (2009) directing the car chases. After Ellis' passing director of Cop Out Kevin Smith repeated this story told to him by Ellis, "Ellis told me a story about nearly getting car-jacked. Stunt man that he was, he did a 0 to 60 spinning reverse. Agog, the jackers ran off.".
Ellis's wife Cindy was also in the stunt sector.
Brother of Annie Ellis
Father of Tawny Ellis.

Waterworld was the best time of my life. It was physically demanding, but it was fun. I mean, you're in Hawaii for nine months shooting on the water every day.
Well, I think on second units it's all about execution. Because you come in there, you don't have to worry so much about the studio and all the other actors and all that.
Yeah, getting the company that would help advertise and cross promote the movie on the release was an important factor for New Line, so we went out to a lot of different companies.
They had some really cool rigged cars and things that were different that they would tow behind the camera car that were actually on these trailers that manipulated side to side and stuff like they were getting hit, and actually put the actor right in the middle of the chase.
It was great. I mean, it's a blast directing underwater stuff.