Ray Austin, who went from being a stunt performer to a director on television programs in the U.K, and U.S., died this week at 90, according to an announcement on his website.
As a stuntman, Austin worked uncredited on films such as North by Northwest, Spartacus, and Operation Petticoat, according his IMDB.COM ENTRY.
He was also a stunt performer and stunt arranger on TV shows such as The Avengers in the 1960s. He transitioned into being a director on that series as well as its 1970s revival, The New Avengers.
Austin ended up helming a variety of shows, including Hawaii Five-O, Barnaby Jones, Return of the Saint, Wonder Woman, and A Man Called Sloane.
His credits also included the 1983 made-for-TV movie, The Return of the Man From U.N.C.L.E. That production reunited series stars Robert Vaughn and David McCallum. It also had a cameo with George Lazenby as “JB.”
Austin’s directing credits extended to 1999, according to IMDB.
In 2021, Austin conducted a livestream with some cast members of The Return of the Man From U.N.C.L.E. They included Anthony Zerbe, who played the villain on the TV movie and who later was a secondary villain in the 1989 James Bond film Licence to Kill.
Filed under: The Other Spies | Tagged: Anthony Zerbe, Hawaii Five-O, North by Northwest, Ray Austin, the Avengers, The New Avengers, The Return of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. |
The Spy Command 
Livestream was very enjoyable. To hear his thoughts in the moment while watching RoMFU. Interesting with AZ; too bad GH was missing. Mr. Austin was such an incredible contributor to the genre. Am grateful for the 1983 add’l. footage made possible as he helmed RofMFU, which I always enjoyed! He’ll be missed.