Larry Duran (July 26, 1925 – November 27, 2002) born Lawrence Duran was a versatile American actor and stuntman of Filipino descent whose career was defined by his remarkable physical skill and a lifelong professional partnership with Marlon Brando. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Duran developed his athletic discipline as an amateur boxer while serving in the United States Navy. After his discharge, he moved into the professional boxing circuit, where his toughness and agility eventually caught the eye of Brando. This led to his screen debut in the 1952 biographical drama Viva Zapata!, sparking a deep friendship that would see Duran serve as Brando’s frequent stand-in and stunt double for decades.
Duran’s most recognizable acting role came in 1961, when Brando cast him as Chico Modesto in the gritty Western One-Eyed Jacks. While he was a capable actor, Duran’s primary impact on Hollywood was behind the scenes as a premier stunt performer. His extensive credits read like a history of the American action film, spanning from the classic Western The Magnificent Seven (1960) and the musical Guys and Dolls (1955) to the disaster epics of the 1970s, including The Towering Inferno and Earthquake. He was also a fixture in the Planet of the Apes franchise, contributing stunts to both Conquest of the Planet of the Apes and Battle for the Planet of the Apes.
In addition to his film work, Duran was a ubiquitous presence on the small screen during the golden age of television. His physical expertise made him a high-demand guest star for action and adventure series, leading to appearances in Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, The Wild Wild West, and The Six Million Dollar Man. Even as the industry shifted toward more modern spectacles in the 1980s and 90s, Duran remained active, appearing in projects as varied as Hill Street Blues and the comedy Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult.
Duran passed away in Las Vegas in 2002 at the age of 77. Throughout his fifty-year career, he remained a respected member of the stunt community and a vital part of the “inner circle” that supported some of Hollywood’s greatest legends. His transition from the boxing ring to the silver screen remains a testament to the grit and athleticism that fueled the classic era of Hollywood filmmaking.
