Bob Simmons, born on March 31, 1923, in Fulham, London, England, was a distinguished English actor and stuntman whose career spanned many iconic British films, particularly within the renowned James Bond franchise.
Before embarking on his film career, Simmons served as a Physical Training Instructor at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, initially aspiring to be an actor. He soon pivoted to stunt work, believing it would offer more excitement and financial benefits. His journey began with Albert R. Broccoli and Irving Allen at Warwick Films, where he contributed to the film *The Red Beret*, collaborating with future Bond series luminaries such as director Terence Young and screenwriter Richard Maibaum. His work continued with the studio on films like *The Long Ships* and *Genghis Khan*, where he sustained an eye injury from a horse kick.
When the James Bond series was established, Simmons auditioned for the titular role but ultimately took on the pivotal role of stunt coordinator for nearly all Bond films, with a few exceptions. He uniquely performed the iconic gun barrel sequence for Sean Connery in *Dr. No*, *From Russia with Love*, and *Goldfinger*. In addition, he portrayed SPECTRE agent Jacques Bouvar in *Thunderball* and served as Connery's stunt double.
Simmons innovated a trampoline technique that was first utilized in *You Only Live Twice*, allowing stuntmen to simulate being blown into the air during explosions, a method that was later adopted in various films, including *The Wild Geese*. After retiring, he penned an autobiography titled *Nobody Does It Better*, named after the song from the 1977 Bond film *The Spy Who Loved Me*. He passed away on October 21, 1987, leaving behind a legacy in the film industry.
