<Tr> <Th> </Th> <Td> October 6, 2007 (aged 77) Los Angeles, California </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Occupation </Th> <Td> Stuntman </Td> </Tr> <P> James Sherwin "Bud" Ekins (May 11, 1930--October 6, 2007) was an American professional stuntman in the U.S. film industry . He is considered to be one of the film industry's most accomplished stuntmen with a body of work that includes classic films such as The Great Escape and Bullitt . Ekins, acting as stunt double for Steve McQueen while filming The Great Escape, was the rider who performed what is considered to be one of the most famous motorcycle stunts ever performed in a movie . He was recognized for his stunt work by being inducted into the Stuntmen's Hall of Fame . </P> <P> Ekins was also an accomplished off - road motorcycle racer in motocross and enduro events, and helped pioneer the sport of desert racing . He was inducted into the Off - road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1980, and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 . </P>

Who rode the motorcycle in the great escape