 (Courtesy of Dixie Carson) Stuntman Fred Carson does a horse fall while doubling for Victor Mature in ESCORT WEST (1959). In the 1920s - 1930s, the "running w" trip wire was used to cause horse and rider to take a fall. By circa 1940, the "running w" was outlawed, and Hollywood began training horses to take a fall on their side. This Fred Carson photo shows that new - and safer - fall. |
 |  | Fred Carson 1923 - 2001 |
| Special thanks to Dixie Carson - Fred Carson's daughter - for info and photos on her father. |
| Texas born Fred Carson arrived on the Hollywood scene in the post World War II era - he did henchie/villain roles, stuntwork, doubled and stunt coordinator duties for about 40 years in both films and TV. He doubled a variety of well known actors including John Carroll, Cesar Romero, Jeff Chandler, Rory Calhoun, Rock Hudson, Marlon Brando (THE WILD ONE), Clint Walker, Rod Cameron, Anthony Quinn, Richard Boone, Jeff York, Gene Barry, and Victor Mature. 1950s screen cowboy John (Johnny) Carpenter was influential in helping Fred get his Guild card. Carson wound up as a frequent double for Rod Cameron - his last time as Cameron's double was in the mid 1960s, probably in REQUIEM FOR A GUNFIGHTER (1965). Carson also wound up doubling Victor Mature in a dozen plus films, and they formed a friendship that continued through Mature's passing in 1999. In addition to doubling and stunt work, Carson also became stunt coordinator on some films and TV shows. He retired in 1983. Fred and Freda Carson were married for 40 years and resided in North Hollywood, California. Freda passed away in 1992 and Fred passed in July, 2001. They had one daughter, Dixie.
There's more about Fred Carson and his friendship with Victor Mature on Shannon's Victor Mature website. On this webpage, look for the Fred Carson links: https://victormature.tripod.com/ |
 (Courtesy of Dixie Carson) Above - Fred Carson takes a fall while doubling for Charles 'Durango Kid' Starrett.  (Courtesy of Dixie Carson) L-to-R are Bob Steele, Rod Cameron and stuntman Fred Carson. Carson frequently doubled Cameron. Photo was probably taken during their work in Republic's THE FIGHTING CHANCE (1955), a horse racing film directed by William Witney and Cameron in the lead.  (Courtesy of Dixie Carson) Above - Fred Carson in his Indian getup with Wild Bill Elliott.  (Courtesy of Dixie Carson) Above - Fred Carson versus Kirk Douglas.  (Courtesy of Dixie Carson) Above - Fred Carson versus Jeff Chandler. |
Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Fred Carson: