Dave Lea, a stuntman famous for his work on the Batman films featuring Michael Keaton, has died after a short illness.
TMZ reported his passing after a close friend of Lea informed them of his death. According to his friend, Lea passed away from cancer on Aug. 6 while surrounded by family and friends and was called "a fighter to the end." The born Londoner moved to LA after traveling the world for many years to study various forms of martial arts, eventually finding a career as a stuntman and choreographer in Los Angeles. He was 67.
Lea first gained recognition for his work on Tango & Crash, where he worked with Sylvester Stallone to train and choreograph his fight sequences. It was his first film and quickly led him to work in other major films, including the Batman films starring Keaton and directed by Tim Burton.
Besides working as a stuntman, Lea also trained many actors in preparation for roles, including Sylvester Stallone, Ashley Judd, Ben Affleck, Colin Farrell, Tom Cruise, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ewan Mcgregor, Scarlett Johansson, Will Smith, Sandra Bullock, Michelle Pfeiffer, Famke Janssen, Dennis Quaid and David Boreanaz.
Lea traveled the world studying multiple forms of martial arts under some of the most prominent instructors in the field, including Dan Inosanto, who trained under Bruce Lee. Among the many styles he studied, Lea trained in Shotokan Karate, Aikido, Escrima, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Shaolin Kung Fu, Fu Jow Pai, White Crane Kung Fu, Leopard Kung Fu, Snake Kung Fu, Southern Dragon Kung Fu, Hapkune-Do and Kickboxing.
Besides martial arts, Lea was an avid dancer, claiming it helped him to improve the fluidity of his movement in stunts. In his self-written biography on IMDB, Lea described the similarities between fighting and dance. "Action is like dancing! Turn the music on and dance. The best action moves are the ones that simply appear in the choreography. You don't look for them, you feel them."
Lea prided himself on formulating unique styles of fighting for every film, creating a distinct flavor for each. "When your passion is in the action, the fights and stunts will be true and real. I have learned from some of the best teachers out there. The least I can do is hold on to what they taught me." These teachers included his mother, whom he credited as his greatest fitness inspiration throughout his life.