PASSINGS : Riley R. Waters, John Wayne’s Stunt Double
Riley R. Waters, 69, who worked as movie legend John Wayne’s stunt double for 30 years and founded his own casting agency for movie and television extras. Dick Fisher, a spokesman for Forest Lawn Memorial Park, said the stunt man first worked with Wayne in the 1948 movie “Red River.” He was still doubling for the “Duke” 30 years later when Wayne won an Academy Award for his portrayal of grizzled lawman Rooster Cogburn in the movie “True Grit.” “He was Wayne’s double and stunt man during Wayne’s years of superstardom,” Fisher said. Waters, born in Nebraska, founded the Producers Casting Agency, which became one of the largest suppliers of extras to motion pictures and television, Fisher said. He is survived by his wife, Bly Waters of Hollywood; sons Bruce, Roland, John and Dan Waters; a daughter, Carlene Brett, three grandchildren and one great grandchild. Waters died Nov. 28.