Leave It to Beaver Actor to Hollywood Stunt Legend: Buddy Joe Hooker Interview

Classic television fans knew him as Chester Anderson—Wally’s grounded, sometimes mischievous friend on the first three seasons of Leave It to Beaver.In today’s episode, before he became one of the industry's most legendary stunt coordinators and second unit directors, Buddy Joe Hooker. The host of That's Classic, John Cato brings you a wildly entertaining, unfiltered interview, where Buddy shares incredible stories from his 70-year career spanning the Golden Age of TV to blockbusters like The Outsiders, Close Encounters of The Third Kind, The Magnificent Seven, First Blood, Hooper and more! What You'll Hear In This Episode: The Leave It to Beaver Era: The truth about Ken Osman (Eddie Haskell), why Frank Bank was always "Lumpy," and the hilarious reason Buddy got benched for three episodes after making Jerry Mathers cry. Wild Starlet Encounters: How Buddy won The Dating Game and was chosen by Farrah Fawcett, only to have her boyfriend Lee Majors (The $6 Million Man) shut it down. Behind-the-Scenes Movie Magic: Hiding on the floorboards to work the gas pedals for Bud Cort in Harold and Maude, smoking weed with Cat Stevens, and standing up to Steven Spielberg on the set of Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Training Hollywood's Biggest Brats: Choreographing the legendary rumble in The Outsiders, watching a young Tom Cruise insist on doing backflips off cars, and earning the ultimate respect from Denzel Washington on The Magnificent Seven after getting trampled by three horses and continuing the scene. The Realities of Stunt Life: Buddy opens up about his childhood on a ranch surrounded by real cowboys (including his dad's best friend, the Lone Ranger Clayton Moore), his terrifying near-death experience trapped 65 feet underwater, and a heartfelt look at the tragic downward spiral of his close friend and surfing buddy, Jan-Michael Vincent. Plus working on First Blood with Sylvester Stallone, Magnificent Seven with Denzel Washington and more! Buddy Joe Hooker brings a refreshing, nonchalant honesty to his time in the spotlight, proving why he is truly one of Hollywood’s "bad dudes." Pop some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy a trip through cinema history! ✨ SUPPORT THE SHOW & BECOME A MEMBER: Click the JOIN button next to the video to become a That's Classic member for just $3.99/month! Get exclusive members-only live chats Early access to episodes and a personalized shout-out in our next video! 🔔 Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and hit the notification bell so you never miss an icon! Subscribe for free to That's Classic YouTube Channel:    / @thatsclassictv   Facebook: facebook.com/thatsclassictv Instagram: ‪@ThatsClassicTV‬ Hosted by John Cato, actor, voiceover artist, and moderator for over 20 years for the television and movie industry. John's background brings a unique insight and passion to the podcast. 00:00 – Intro: Welcoming Leave It to Beaver Alum Buddy Joe Hooker 01:39 – Rare On-Set Photos: Buddy’s Early Acting Career 02:48 – Playing Chester Anderson & Why He Disagreed with The Beaver 03:41 – The Real Eddie Haskell: What Ken Osmond Was Like to a Tee 04:23 – From Leave It to Beaver to LA SWAT Team Innovator 05:51 – Why Frank Bank Was Always Called "Lumpy" On Set 07:19 – Meeting Tony Dow: A Shared Secret Gymnastics Background 08:27 – Losing the Role of Wally (and Getting Chester Days Later) 10:15 – Why Buddy Viewed Acting as a chore instead of a Dream 11:37 – Sending Jerry Mathers Home Crying: Getting Benched for 3 Episodes 14:07 – From Child Actor to Stuntman: Buddy’s First Stunt at Age 12 16:24 – Charles Conrad’s Advice: The Power of Acting as Yourself 18:40 – Sneaking Into the Rafters: Showbiz Kids Pranking the Crew 19:43 – Growing Up with Cowboys: Buddy’s Father and the Lone Ranger 22:43 – Wardrobe Secrets: Looking Dapper on the Beaver Set 26:51 – Playing on the Universal Backlot Like a Real Neighborhood 31:31 – Playing Real: How Buddy Captured His Inner Rascal 36:45 – Doubling Lee Akers on The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin 43:18 – Directing Secrets Behind The Littlest Hobo (1958) 45:48 – Playing Twin Brothers & Doing Stunts on Wagon Train 47:31 – Meeting Gunsmoke Legend James Arness: The Gentle Giant 57:12 – Winning The Dating Game & Getting Chosen by Farrah Fawcett 1:02:51 – When the $6 Million Man (Lee Majors) Shut it Down 1:09:33 – Smoking Weed & Writing Music with Cat Stevens 1:11:20 – Hiding on the Floorboards: Driving Bud Cort’s Car in Harold and Maude 1:28:23 – Standing Up to Steven Spielberg on Close Encounters of the Third Kind 1:39:34 – Trampled by Three Horses: Surviving a Nightmare Stunt with Denzel Washington 1:46:07 – Training Tom Cruise & Rob Lowe for The Outsiders Gang Fight 2:02:37 – Trapped 65 Feet Underwater: Buddy’s Most Terrifying Stunt 2:12:05 – The Tragic Downfall of Jan-Michael Vincent: A Close Friend’s Perspective