Neil Summers, a veteran Hollywood stuntman and actor, has died at 81.

The star was best remembered for his role as The Rodent in the 1990 crime-action classic Dick Tracy.

Summers passed away from natural causes, though an official cause has not yet been released, per TMZ. 

In addition to Dick Tracy, Summers appeared in iconic films including RoboCop, The Shawshank Redemption, and My Name Is Nobody. 

For decades, he was involved in stunt work for films such as Holes, Bedazzled, U.S. Marshalls, Harry and the Hendersons, Howard the Duck, Better Off Dead, The Outlaw Josey Wales, El Dorado, several Naked Gun movies, and Mars Attacks!, among others.

Throughout his career, Summers collaborated on set with iconic Hollywood figures like Elvis Presley, John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood, establishing a reputation as a stuntman who seamlessly shifted into acting roles.

Neil Summers, a veteran Hollywood stuntman and actor, has died at 81

The star was best remembered for his role as The Rodent in the 1990 crime-action classic Dick Tracy

He is survived by his sister, niece, nephew, and longtime partner, Karen.  

Summers is being remembered fondly by fans and colleagues alike, with many highlighting his memorable roles, including Dougy in RoboCop. 

Dougy, a character in crime boss Clarence Boddicker’s gang, meets an early demise in the movie when Officer Murphy confronts the gang at their steel mill hideout.

Tributes quickly began pouring in online.

One fan wrote, ‘I learned that actor/stuntman Neil Summers, who portrayed The Rodent in Dick Tracy, has passed away. 

‘He starred in numerous film & TV westerns and owned one of the largest western collections in the world. He was a true gentleman and cowboy at heart. He was 81 yrs old. RIP sir.’

Another added, ‘I’m very sad to hear that my dear friend Neil Summers has passed away. Rest in Peace my friend, you were a real Cowboy.’ 

Born in London, England, Summers launched his Hollywood career in 1963, traveling to Tucson, Arizona, to appear as a stunt extra in McLintock!. 

Summers played Dougy in the 1987 film RoboCop

Summers played The Rodent in the 1990 film, which starred Warren Beatty, Madonna, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Glenne Headly, Marcia Gay Harden, Charlie Korsmo, Paul Sorvino, and Kate Mulgrew

Tributes quickly began pouring in online

Over the decades, he became a go-to stunt performer, doubling for actors such as Warren Oates, Roddy McDowall, Michael Anderson Jr., and Michael J. Pollard.

Summers’ work wasn’t limited to stunts — he also carved out a memorable acting career. 

He appeared in numerous classic TV shows, including Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Barnaby Jones, Death Valley Days, The High Chaparral, The Fall Guy, Petrocelli, and Daniel Boone. 

His film credits are equally impressive, spanning iconic Westerns and blockbuster hits alike, including Duel at Diablo, Heaven with a Gun, El Dorado, True Grit, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Rio Lobo, RoboCop, Wild at Heart, Rough Night in Jericho, The Shawshank Redemption, and Guns of a Stranger.

From sharing sets with legends like Elvis Presley, John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood to becoming a beloved figure in Western circles, Summers left a lasting mark on Hollywood both in front of and behind the camera.

This is a developing story…