Stuntman and Actor Bob Elmore, Known for 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' Dies at 65

Hollywood Remembers Bob Elmore—Leatherface Performer and Stunt Icon

The film industry just lost a true behind-the-scenes legend. Bob Elmore, the man who terrified horror fans as Leatherface in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 and took wild on-screen hits in the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' series, died on June 29, 2025, at age 65. Though you might not always recognize his face on screen, Hollywood insiders and genre fans alike knew Elmore was the kind of performer who gave everything to his craft.

Elmore broke into stunts the old-fashioned way—by living it. He got his start at Knott’s Berry Farm’s Wild West Stunt Show. These humble beginnings paved the way for decades of work that most folks only dream about. His actions and falls became part of the fabric of some of the world’s best-loved movies. You have him to thank for the chaos on screen that looks authentic but keeps the cast safe behind the scenes.

From Cult Horror to Blockbusters: A Career Full of Risks

You probably know him best if you love cult horror. As Leatherface in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 (1986), Elmore hid behind bloody masks and swinging chainsaws, ratcheting up the terror for a generation of moviegoers. Even years later, in a 2016 interview, Elmore was still stunned by the film’s international fanbase. He said he was “proud to have been part of it,” never expecting the Texas chainsaw saga to blow up to that scale or stick around as a pop culture milestone.

But his talents didn’t stop with horror. By the time he started work with legendary stunt trainer Gene LeBell, Elmore had built skills that would land him in high-voltage productions. Look closely during action set pieces in movies like The Usual Suspects (1995), Casino (1995), and Being John Malkovich (1999)—yep, that’s Elmore, taking hits or flipping through the air, delivering realism to scenes that viewers still talk about.

Maybe you caught his work during the rollicking sword fights and brawls in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) and its sequels, where Elmore’s stunt work kept the action flowing and the adventure believable. Whether doubling actors, crashing through sets, or fighting off imaginary pirates, Elmore was dedicated to keeping the magic alive.

He also earned a reputation among fellow stunt workers as generous with his knowledge. Those lucky enough to learn from him—either working by his side or seeking advice—described a man who understood that the smallest trick performed well could elevate an entire film.

Fans and fellow filmmakers have lit up social media since the news of his death broke. Even without a parade of public tributes from co-stars, it’s clear that Elmore left a mark. For every scream in a dark theater, every jaw-dropping action sequence, there are people behind the curtain making it happen—and Bob Elmore was one of the best.