Hollywood stuntman Neil Summers — who portrayed the villianous henchman Rhodent in 1990’s Dick Tracy — has died at age 81.
Summers’ death was reported by family friend David Friedman, who shared the news with TMZ that the entertainment mainstay died on Thursday, September 4 at his home in Utah. The outlet reported that Summers, who is survived by his partner Karen, his sister, and a niece and nephew, died of natural causes.
Summers’ career in Hollywood spanned decades, beginning in the 1950s. In addition to his most well-known role in Dick Tracy — his rodent-looking character is killed in the opening scene of the film — he also had roles in RoboCop (as Dougy) as well as stuntwork in everything from 1974’s The Outlaw Josey Wales (famously starring Clint Eastwood) to two Naked Gun films to Mars Attacks! all the way to the fan-favorite Holes.
In addition to working with Eastwood, he also acted alongside such legends as Elvis Presley and John Wayne.
Actor Terence Hill paid tribute to his late friend via Instagram earlier this week.
“Neil Summers 1944 – 2025,” Hill wrote over the black-and-white photo still of Summers portraying a cowboy on-screen.
“I’m very sad to hear that my dear friend Neil Summers has passed away,” Hill continued. “Rest in Peace my friend, you were a real Cowboy.”
