Nick Dimitri
Encyclopedia
Nick Dimitri is a stuntman and actor best known as Charles Bronson's veteran bare-knuckle black leather coat wearing opponent in the climax of "Hard Times
", often considered one of the best fights ever put on film. The 6' 2", 200 pound Dimitri was a U.S. Navy veteran and former muscleman in a Mae West Las Vegas Revue. He played many tough guy parts from the late 1950s on, joining the Stuntmen's Association in the late 1960s.
In addition to fisticuffs, his speciality was dying violently on screen. He was a regular stuntman on the World War II TV series "The Rat Patrol
" and a double for action actors Sean Connery
and William Smith
. He helped set up the great fights in "Darker Than Amber
" and "Any Which Way You Can
", although tough guy Smith ended up doing all his own stunts.
Dimitri was also memorable playing Angie Dickinson's undead husband in the 1973 cult TV Movie "The Norliss Tapes". He later became a fixture in many of Arnold Schwarzenegger's films, stood up to Steven Seagal
in "Out for Justice
", and doubled for the one arm man in the big screen version of "The Fugitive".
Hard Times (1975 film)
Hard Times is a 1975 film starring Charles Bronson as Chaney, a drifter who travels to Louisiana during the Great Depression and begins competing in illegal bare-knuckled boxing matches...
", often considered one of the best fights ever put on film. The 6' 2", 200 pound Dimitri was a U.S. Navy veteran and former muscleman in a Mae West Las Vegas Revue. He played many tough guy parts from the late 1950s on, joining the Stuntmen's Association in the late 1960s.
In addition to fisticuffs, his speciality was dying violently on screen. He was a regular stuntman on the World War II TV series "The Rat Patrol
The Rat Patrol
The Rat Patrol is an American television program that aired on ABC during the 1966–1968 seasons. The show follows the exploits of four Allied soldiers who are part of a long-range desert patrol group in the North African campaign during World War II...
" and a double for action actors Sean Connery
Sean Connery
Sir Thomas Sean Connery , better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards and three Golden Globes Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born 25 August 1930), better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy...
and William Smith
William Smith (actor)
William Smith is an American actor who has appeared in almost 300 feature films and television productions.Smith began his acting career at the age of 8 in 1942...
. He helped set up the great fights in "Darker Than Amber
Darker than Amber
Darker than Amber is the seventh novel in the Travis McGee series by John D. MacDonald. The plot begins with McGee and his close friend Meyer are fishing underneath a bridge and a young woman, bound and weighted, is thrown over the bridge. It was also adapted in to a 1970 film of the same name....
" and "Any Which Way You Can
Any Which Way You Can
* Beers To You** Written by Steve Dorff , John Durrill , Sandy Pinkard and Snuff Garrett ** Sung by Ray Charles and Clint Eastwood* Any Which Way You Can...
", although tough guy Smith ended up doing all his own stunts.
Dimitri was also memorable playing Angie Dickinson's undead husband in the 1973 cult TV Movie "The Norliss Tapes". He later became a fixture in many of Arnold Schwarzenegger's films, stood up to Steven Seagal
Steven Seagal
Steven Frederic Seagal is an American action film star, producer, writer, martial artist, guitarist and reserve deputy sheriff. A 7th-dan black belt in Aikido, Seagal began his adult life as an Aikido instructor in Japan...
in "Out for Justice
Out for Justice
Out for Justice is a 1991 action film directed by John Flynn and starring Steven Seagal.- Plot :Gino Felino is an NYPD detective from Brooklyn who has strong ties within his neighborhood...
", and doubled for the one arm man in the big screen version of "The Fugitive".