Vic Morrow rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s with memorable roles in film and
television.
He showcased a remarkable range as an actor, portraying characters that were often complex,
flawed, and deeply human.
However, his life and career were tragically cut short in 1982 when he was killed in a
helicopter accident while filming "The Twilight Zone: The Movie."
Morrow's death was a shocking event that stunned the entertainment industry and led to significant
changes in the way that special effects and stunts are performed and prepped.
In this video, we’ll take a look at the accident, the eerie premonition Vic had about
his death, and the repercussions of the accident.
So, join Facts Verse, as we present: Vic Morrow's Cause of Death at 53 was Truly Tragic
Vic Morrow's career as an actor spanned several decades.
He began in the late 1950s, appearing in small roles in films such as "Blackboard Jungle"
and "God's Little Acre."
In the 1960s, he landed a series of prominent television roles, including a recurring role
on the hit show "Combat!"
as Sergeant Chip Saunders.
Morrow's career continued to thrive in the 1970s.
He starred in the critically acclaimed TV movie "The Execution of Private Slovik," and
had memorable roles in films such as "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry," "The Bad News Bears,"
and "The Blackboard Jungle."
In 1979, he received critical acclaim for his portrayal of the racist cop in the film
"The Champ," opposite Jon Voight and Faye Dunaway.
Morrow was known for his intense and often explosive performances and was not afraid
to take on controversial or challenging roles.
Sadly, Vic’s life came to a horrible end when he was killed in a bizarre accident in
an on-set accident.
The Tragic Accident "Twilight Zone: The Movie" was a film adaptation
of the popular TV series "The Twilight Zone."
Filmed in 1982, it consisted of four separate segments, each directed by a different filmmaker,
including Steven Spielberg, John Landis, George Miller, and Joe Dante.
Vic was cast in one of the segments directed by Landis.
The segment, titled "Time Out," told the story of a racist man who travels through time and
experiences various forms of discrimination.
In one scene, Morrow's character is transported back to the Vietnam War era, where he finds
himself in the midst of a firefight.
Morrow was playing the role of Bill Connor, a disillusioned Vietnam veteran who is trying
to save two Vietnamese children from the chaos of war.
The scene was filmed on July 23, 1982, at night on a ranch in California, and it involved
the use of special effects, pyrotechnics, and a low-flying helicopter.
Morrow and two child actors, Myca Dinh Le and Renee Shin-Yi Chen, were standing in a
riverbed when the helicopter approached from behind, hovering at a height of about 25 feet.
The special effects explosion was detonated, and the helicopter spun out of control, crashing
into Morrow and the two children.
The accident was witnessed by several crew members and other actors, including Landis
himself.
Morrow and the two children were killed instantly, and several other people were injured.
The aftermath of the accident was chaotic, with Landis and other crew members struggling
to come to terms with what had happened.
The Aftermath The incident sparked a massive investigation
and a wave of controversy surrounding the safety standards on film sets.
Landis and several other crew members were ultimately charged with involuntary manslaughter,
but they were acquitted after a lengthy trial.
The families of the victims received substantial settlements in civil lawsuits against the
filmmakers and the studio.
The tragedy had a profound impact on the film industry, leading to the implementation of
stricter safety regulations and protocols for special effects and stunt work.
The incident also had a significant impact on the families of the victims and the Hollywood
community.
Morrow, who was a well-respected and accomplished actor, had left behind a wife and two daughters.
His death, along with the deaths of the two child actors, was a shock to the entire industry.
The incident also sparked a discussion about the ethics of using child actors in dangerous
film scenes.
The two children who died, Myca Dinh Le and Renee Shin-Yi Chen, were both under the age
of ten and had been hired as extras for the film.
Many in the industry questioned the decision to include such young children in a scene
involving pyrotechnics and a low-flying helicopter.
Sparked by this tragedy, the film industry implemented new safety standards and protocols
for special effects, stunts, and other potentially dangerous scenes.
The incident also prompted a greater emphasis on training and education for those working
in the industry, particularly in the areas of special effects and pyrotechnics.
Vic’s Insurance Policy There have long been rumors that Vic took
out an insurance policy before filming The Twilight Zone: The Movie because he somehow
sensed he was in danger.
And that’s partly true, though the details have been skewed a bit in the years since.
Vic did take out a policy for himself, and it was indeed because he’d have to film
in a helicopter.
However, this happened years before the movie, and it happened because he was filming a movie
called “Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry.”
In that film, Vic’s character, Captain Franklin, was supposed to be chasing down the one of
the film’s protagonists, Larry, in a helicopter.
Morrow was clearly apprehensive about it, and told the producers of the film that he
wouldn’t be in the scene unless they took out a $1 million life insurance policy for
him.
When they initially resisted, he pushed even further, saying he’d leave the film entirely
if he wasn’t covered.
So they caved, and he flew in the helicopter, albeit with reluctance.
Things went fine with the shoot, and Morrow was relieved.
This was particularly true because of an odd premonition he had.
When asked about why he insisted on that insurance policy, he replied, "I have always had a premonition
that I'll be killed in a helicopter crash!"
At the time it seemed a little crazy and paranoid, but obviously, we now know he was later killed
in a helicopter accident.
So in that sense, the prediction was eerily accurate.
So while he did indeed have an insurance policy in place for him that was tied to the risks
of shooting scenes with a helicopter, it didn’t actually come about strictly because of the
helicopter in The Twilight Zone: The Movie.
Also, in an amazing coincidence, the pilot of the helicopter that ultimately killed Morrow
was a man named Gary McLarty, and Gary was actually in Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry too!
He played State Trooper.
Lessons from Vic’s Insurance Claim Vic’s $1 million policy was paid out to
his family in the event of his death.
Some saw this as evidence that Morrow had been aware of the risks involved in both films
and had taken steps to protect his loved ones in the event that something went wrong.
Others, however, saw it as a grim reminder of the dangers that actors and other film
professionals face every day on set.
In an industry where special effects and stunts are often used to create dramatic and visually
stunning scenes, there is always a risk of injury or death, even for the most experienced
and talented performers.
The incident on the set of "The Twilight Zone" ultimately led to a greater emphasis on safety
in the film industry, as well as new regulations and protocols for special effects and stunt
work.
However, the tragedy also serves as a reminder of the importance of taking steps to protect
oneself and one's loved ones, even in the face of seemingly impossible risks.
For Vic Morrow, taking out a life insurance policy may have been a small measure of security
in a dangerous profession, but it was one that ultimately helped to provide for his
family after his untimely death.
The Lawsuit Morrow's family filed a lawsuit against Warner
Bros., the studio that produced the film, as well as director John Landis and several
other crew members.
The lawsuit alleged that the filmmakers had been reckless in their pursuit of an exciting
and visually stunning scene, and had ignored numerous safety protocols in order to get
the shot.
The case was further complicated by the fact that Morrow had reportedly expressed concerns
about the safety of the scene before filming began, but had been assured by Landis and
others that it was safe.
The trial was a lengthy and contentious affair, with testimony from dozens of witnesses and
experts in the fields of special effects and stunt work.
Morrow's family argued that the filmmakers had been negligent in their handling of the
scene, while Warner Bros. and Landis maintained that the accident had been an unforeseeable
and tragic event that could not have been prevented.
In the end, the jury found Landis and several other crew members not guilty of involuntary
manslaughter, and Warner Bros. was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Though apparently Morrow’s daughters did receive a settlement out of court from Warner
Brothers, and Steven Spielberg settled on a civil suit brought against him (as a producer
and co-director of the movie)
Morrow and the two child actors’ deaths were a stark lesson about the issues of safety
and preparation when it comes to filmmaking.
In the years since many regulations and protocols have been put in place.
Yet the reality of mishaps due to human error is, as always, a factor.
Recent tragedies like the incident involving Alec Baldwin illustrate the inherent danger
that still exists in certain types of filmmaking.
Now it’s time to hear from you.
Did you know that Vic Morrow eerily predicted his own death?
Let us know in the comments section below!