Learned to swim at 9 months
Started working in the motion picture industry at 9.
Working on such shows as Leave It To Beaver, The Untouchables, the Betty White Show and Lassie. He did his first stunt at 10 doubling Timmy on Lassie.
Became an 11 time All-American swimmer in college (Univ. of Denver) BA, Communications from the University of Denver, cinematography major BS, Mathematics from UCLA MS, Mechanical Engineering from CIT
Joined SAG in 1967, 659, the cameraman's union in 1982, and the DGA in 1986. Photography specialties are underwater and action filming. DGA specializing in 2nd unit directing.
Worked as a beach lifeguard and junior lifeguard instructor from 1968-1972.
Member of the Stuntman's Association since 1980.
Lead driving instructor at ESI anti-terrorist school in Aspen from 1989-1993
Began his driving career at age 12 in the hot pits of Riverside and Laguna SECA raceways as his father's (John Ward) crew chief and chief mechanic on a McLaren MK 10B Pro Series Formula 5000 car. He was the youngest person to ever finish the Baja 1000 alone, (without a co-driver) and was a member of the official Husqvarna team, in addition to participating in the Micky Thompson closed course races.
From 1971 to 1982 he owned and drove camera cars, and began to fill a high demand for his work as a driver of high performance vehicles and stunt driving for the film and television commercial industry, which continues to this day.
He has performed in over 900 commercials since 1967 and has performed, designed and coordinated countless stunts for television and movies during this time. One of the ten original founders of Tom Anthony’s precision driving team, member from 1973-1988
FAA Certifications: Private Pilot – Airplane Single Engine, Airplane Multi-Engine, Balloon Commercial Pilot – Rotorcraft, Airplane Single Engine Driver’s Training: Performance Two, Bobby Ore’s Stunt Driving School, Willow Springs, qualified on all Class 2 & 3 vehicles, Armored Tanks, Military vehicles, Motorcycles
Professional Certifications: NASCAR Racing License, SCCA Racing License, NAUI SCUBA, Aquatic Rescue Professional First Responder, CPR/First Aid
Black Belt – Jeet Kune Do
Black Belt – Wing Chun Kung Fu
Raced MotoX from 1969-1974
Raced sailboats from 1978-1996
Likes to snow ski, sail and surf.
Special Ability, Sports: Tennis, Golf, Swimming, Horseback Riding, Rollerskating, Fencing, good most sports
Married stuntwoman/actress, Sandra Kerns in 1975, she was killed in a set accident in 1996.
Member California Army National Guard 1967-1998, attained rank of LTC, duties have included Intelligence, Personnel, Aviation Brigade