Mahoney is of French and Irish extraction, with some Cherokee. At the University of Iowa, he was outstanding in swimming, basketball and football. When World War II broke out, he enlisted as a Marine fighter pilot and instructor. In Hollywood, he was a noted stunt man, doubling for Errol Flynn, John Wayne, and Gregory Peck. Gene Autry signed him fo...
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Mahoney is of French and Irish extraction, with some Cherokee. At the University of Iowa, he was outstanding in swimming, basketball and football. When World War II broke out, he enlisted as a Marine fighter pilot and instructor. In Hollywood, he was a noted stunt man, doubling for Errol Flynn, John Wayne, and Gregory Peck. Gene Autry signed him for the lead in his 78-episode The Range Rider (1951) TV series. He tested to replace Johnny Weissmuller, as Tarzan but lost out to Lex Barker. In 1960, he played the heavy in Gordon Scott's Tarzan the Magnificent (1960), and his part there led Sy Weintraub to hire him as Scott's replacement. In his two Tarzan movies, he did all his own stunts. In Tarzan's Three Challenges (1963), he continued working in spite of dysentery, dengue fever and pneumonia. By this time, Weintraub was looking for a younger Tarzan, envisioning a future TV series. By mutual agreement, his contract with Mahoney was dissolved. After a couple of years regaining his strength and weight, Jock returned to making action films. Show less «
[on Tom London] The most underrated actor in town. The most patient, most professional actor I've ev...Show more »
[on Tom London] The most underrated actor in town. The most patient, most professional actor I've ever known, as well as a kind, giving man. He's one I feel lucky to be able to call a close friend. Show less «
I loved the role of Tarzan because it was such a distinct challenge. I remember being 40 feet up in ...Show more »
I loved the role of Tarzan because it was such a distinct challenge. I remember being 40 feet up in a tree, sunburned as hell. And I thought to myself, "What is a 42-year-old man doing 40 feet up in a tree, getting ready to swing out over a bunch of thorn bushes that if you ever fell into you would be cut to ribbons and damned near killing myself to get up there?" So I laughed and thought, "Well now, who wouldn't want to play Tarzan?". Show less «
Neglect, carelessness and not clearing the stunt area are usually what causes accidents. Preparation...Show more »
Neglect, carelessness and not clearing the stunt area are usually what causes accidents. Preparation is absolutely essential to any successful stunt. You have to go through a stunt in your mind--over and over again as if you've already done it. The stuntman must keep his mental separation from all that's going around him. If it's a nervous set and people are aggravating you, it's best to not perform the stunt. If you take the attitude of it's a piece of cake and I've done it a hundred times before, you're going to get hurt. Preparation, good physical condition and a healthy state of mind are the ingredients for successful stunt work. Show less «
