Kim Kahana, the legendary stuntman, actor, and teacher whose daring feats in film and television earned him a place among Hollywood’s elite, passed away at the age of 94. Kahana died peacefully of natural causes on Monday at his home in Groveland.

Kahana’s storied career in Hollywood spanned more than 70 years, during which he worked on over 300 films and television series, earning him a reputation as one of the most courageous and skilled stunt performers of all time. Born on October 16, 1929, in Lanai City, Hawaii, Kahana’s journey to stardom was anything but conventional. After dropping out of school in the third grade, he stowed away to the U.S. mainland and eventually made his way to Hollywood, where he discovered that stunt work paid more than being an extra.

Kahana quickly became a sought-after talent in the industry, working alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Elvis Presley, Chuck Norris, and Sylvester Stallone. His work as a stunt double for Charles Bronson in iconic films such as The Magnificent Seven (1960), The Dirty Dozen (1967), The Mechanic (1972), Death Wish (1974), and Mr. Majestyk (1974) cemented his status as one of the most trusted stuntmen in the business.

One of Kahana’s most memorable roles was that of Chongo on NBC’s Saturday morning kids’ show Danger Island, a segment of The Banana Splits Adventure Hour (1968-1970). As Chongo, a native who communicated through animal and bird sounds, Kahana became a beloved character among young audiences. The role was a perfect showcase for his athleticism and creativity, and the catchphrase “Uh-oh, Chongo!” became synonymous with the adventures of the show.

Kahana’s versatility as a stuntman was unmatched. Standing 5-foot-7 and weighing 150 pounds, he could double for both male and female stars, including Stefanie Powers on The Girl From U.N.C.L.E. and Sally Field on The Flying Nun. His résumé includes work on such classics as Cool Hand Luke (1967), Planet of the Apes (1968), Patton (1970), Soylent Green (1973), Earthquake (1974), Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Passenger 57 (1992), and Jeepers Creepers (2001).

In addition to his film work, Kahana made significant contributions behind the scenes as a stunt coordinator, teacher, and mentor. Since the mid-1970s, he trained thousands of students in the art of stunts at his schools in Chatsworth, California, and Central Florida. His rigorous six-week courses became a rite of passage for aspiring stunt performers, many of whom went on to have successful careers in the industry. Among his notable students were Heidi Schnappauf, Tom Place, Billy D. Lucas (Arnold Schwarzenegger’s double), and Joanne Lamstein (Barbra Streisand’s double).

Kahana’s influence extended beyond the stunt community. A war hero who served with distinction during the Korean War, Kahana was awarded two Bronze Stars, a Silver Star, and two Purple Hearts. His remarkable survival stories, including being shot by an enemy firing squad and emerging from a mass grave, added to the legend of a man who seemed to defy death both on and off the screen. He was also the lone survivor of a 1955 plane crash in Texas that claimed 32 lives.

Even as he aged, Kahana never lost his passion for the stunt business. He continued to perform rigging for films as recently as last year and was actively teaching stunts at his 100-acre facility in Groveland, Florida, until his final days. Kahana’s extraordinary life was chronicled in the 2023 documentary Kim Kahana: The Man Who Changed Hollywood, which highlighted his journey from a young boy in Hawaii to one of Hollywood’s most respected and admired stuntmen.

In addition to his wife Sandy, whom he married in 2005 after meeting on the set of Passenger 57, Kahana is survived by his children, Tony, Kim Jr., and Debbie, and his grandchildren, Michael, Lance, Kalana, and Josh, an author. Another son, Rick, passed away in 2012 from a heart attack at age 51. Kahana’s children, following in their father’s footsteps, all pursued careers in the stunt industry, continuing the family legacy.

Kahana was also a longtime member of the Screen Actors Guild’s Safety Investigating Team, where he played a vital role in ensuring the safety of stunt performers across the industry. His contributions to the field were recognized by his peers, and he remained a revered figure among Hollywood insiders.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.