Dick Grace

Richard Virgil Grace (October 1, 1898 – June 25, 1965), known as Dick Grace, was an American stunt pilot who specialized in crashing planes for films. Films that he appeared in include Sky Bride, The Lost Squadron, Lilac Time, and the first Best Picture Oscar winner Wings.[1][2]

For the Irish hurler, see Dick Grace (Tullaroan).
Dick Grace
Grace in the 1927 film "Wide Open"
Born
Richard Virgil Grace

(1898-10-01)October 1, 1898
Morris, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedJune 25, 1965(1965-06-25) (aged 66)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationStunt Pilot
SpouseCrystine Francis Malstrom
RelativesA.G. Grace (sibling)

He served in both world wars, bombing Germany, as a B-17 Flying Fortress co-pilot with the 486th Bombardment Group. After the Second World War, he operated a charter business in South America. He was married to Crystine Francis Malstrom, a stage actress who appeared in Abie's Irish Rose. He was the author of several books, including Squadron of Death, Crash Pilot, I Am Still Alive, and Visibility Unlimited.

Grace sustained a serious neck injury when he fell out of the cockpit during the filming of Wings. But he made a full recovery and was one of the few stunt pilots of his day who died of natural causes.[3]

Filmography

as actor
Year Title Role Notes
1926 The Flying Fool Donald During
1927 Wide Open Dick Dixon
Wings Aviator
1928 Lilac Time technical flight commander
1932 The Lost Squadron Flier also writer

as writer
Year Title Notes
1936 Devil's Squadron

as stunt pilot
Year Title Notes
1923 Eyes of the Forest
1927 Wings
1932 The Lost Squadron
Sky Bride

References
  1. King, Susan (August 14, 2014) "'Hollywood Takes to the Air' explores aviation's long history in film", Los Angeles Times
  2. Onkst, David H. (2003) Hollywood Stunt Pilots U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission
  3. Lussier, Tim (2004) "Daredevils in the Air - Three of the Greats - Wilson, Locklear and Grace" Archived 2012-12-28 at the Wayback Machine, Silents Are Golden


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