Hollywood has lost two of its most enduring figures from the golden age of Westerns and action cinema. Edward Faulkner, a familiar face in classic John Wayne films and a staple of TV Westerns, and Neil Summers, the English-born stuntman-turned-actor who brought grit and authenticity to countless action scenes, both passed away in late August and early September 2025. Their careers, spanning decades and genres, left an indelible mark on film and television history, and their stories are as colorful as the characters they portrayed.
Edward Faulkner, who died on August 26 at the age of 93 in Vista, California, was perhaps best known for his work alongside John Wayne in a string of memorable films. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Faulkner's journey from Kentucky to the heart of Hollywood was anything but ordinary. Born on February 29, 1932—a Leap Day—in Lexington, Kentucky, he was the youngest of two children. His father ran a building supply company, while his mother, Ferie June, was a music teacher. Faulkner's early love for performance blossomed in high school, where he formed a comedy song-and-dance duo, and continued at the University of Virginia and the University of Kentucky, where he acted in stage plays before graduating in 1954.
Before his Hollywood days, Faulkner served two years as a fighter pilot with the U.S. Air Force. In 1958, he made the bold move to Los Angeles to pursue acting—a decision that would shape the rest of his life. Faulkner's big break came when he was introduced to director Andrew V. McLaglen, then a staff director at CBS. McLaglen quickly cast him in an episode of Have Gun – Will Travel, and Faulkner soon found himself a regular on the Western circuit. His television résumé grew to include 13 episodes of Have Gun – Will Travel (1958-62), six episodes of Gunsmoke (1959-72), seven episodes of Rawhide (1959-64), three episodes of Bonanza (1961-66), and 11 episodes of The Virginian (1963-70).
Faulkner's film debut came in 1960 with G.I. Blues, and he later appeared as fitness instructor Brad Bentley in another Elvis Presley vehicle, Tickle Me (1965). But it was his collaboration with John Wayne that truly cemented his legacy. Faulkner appeared in six films with Wayne: McLintock! (1963), The Green Berets (1968), Hellfighters (1968), The Undefeated (1969), Rio Lobo (1970), and Chisum (1970). All but two of these films were directed by McLaglen, who became a close friend and mentor.
Faulkner once quipped in a 2019 interview, "I never won a fight … I was always the bad guy." Offscreen, he and Wayne shared a love of chess, playing hundreds of games together. Faulkner recalled with a laugh, "I occasionally let him win." Their camaraderie extended beyond the set—during the filming of The Undefeated in Mexico, Wayne spotted Faulkner's three daughters on the sidelines and insisted they be given roles as extras.
His acting career was as varied as it was prolific, with roles in How to Murder Your Wife (1965), The Navy vs. the Night Monsters (1966), Nobody's Perfect (1968), The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968), Hang Your Hat on the Wind (1969), and The Man (1972). He also appeared in popular TV series such as Dragnet, Lassie, Gilligan's Island, Mod Squad, The Fugitive, It Takes a Thief, Cannon, Adam-12, and The Six Million Dollar Man.
In 1976, Faulkner stepped away from acting, embarking on a new chapter in the marine transportation industry and hotel management. He worked for a company that leased cargo containers and operated hotels worldwide for over a decade. Despite his career shift, Faulkner never lost his boyhood love of magic, delighting friends and family with sleight-of-hand tricks throughout his life. His family remembered him for his "kindness and genuine warmth—qualities that defined him as much as his body of work." He was married to his high-school sweetheart, Barbara, for nearly 60 years until her death in May 2013. He is survived by his three daughters, Jan, Barbara, and Leslie; his son, Edward III; and grandchildren Tyler, Wyatt, Steven, Olivia, and Brooke.
Just days after Faulkner's passing, Hollywood mourned another stalwart of the Western and action genres. Neil Summers died on September 4 at age 81 at his home in Kanab, Utah, according to TMZ. Summers, who was surrounded by loved ones, was believed to have died of natural causes, though an official cause was not released.
Summers built a reputation as one of Hollywood's most reliable stuntmen, working with legends like Elvis Presley, John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood, as reported by Daily Mail. His transition into acting saw him take on memorable roles such as The Rodent in the 1990 film Dick Tracy and Dougy in the 1987 sci-fi action hit RoboCop. His filmography is as eclectic as it is impressive, including credits in The Shawshank Redemption, My Name Is Nobody, Holes, Bedazzled, U.S. Marshalls, Harry and the Hendersons, Howard the Duck, Better Off Dead, The Outlaw Josey Wales, El Dorado, and two Naked Gun films.
Summers' television appearances were equally notable, with roles in Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and The Fall Guy. He was also a skilled stunt double, standing in for actors such as Warren Oates, Roddy McDowall, Michael Anderson Jr., and Michael J. Pollard. His versatility and fearlessness made him a sought-after collaborator on both sides of the camera.
Summers is survived by his longtime partner, Karen, as well as his sister, niece, and nephew. His legacy, like Faulkner's, is one of dedication, craft, and a deep love for the art of storytelling—whether through a daring stunt or a nuanced performance.
The passing of Edward Faulkner and Neil Summers marks the end of an era for Hollywood's Westerns and action films. Their contributions, both seen and unseen, helped define genres and inspire generations of actors, stunt performers, and fans. Their stories, filled with adventure, friendship, and a touch of magic, will continue to resonate on screens and in memories for years to come.
