Carl Ciarfalio

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Carl Ciarfalio
Born
Carl Nick Ciarfalio

(1953-11-12) November 12, 1953 (age 70)
Occupation(s)Actor, stuntman
Years active1979-present

Carl Nick Ciarfalio (born November 12, 1953) is an American actor and stuntman. He has appeared in over 300 film and television projects. He is best known for portraying the Thing in the Roger Corman produced, but unreleased movie The Fantastic Four.

Career[edit]

Carl Ciarfalio started his career as a plumber's associate when he was invited by one of his wrestling associates to join him at Knott's Berry Farm as they were looking for big and tall actors to perform for audiences. Ciarfalio took the job for the summer, but he found himself enjoying it. "[W]ithin a couple of months I had a cowboy hat and a gun and I was on stage and people were applauding and laughing, and I told my parents, 'I'll go back to school one day'." He never did. He began appearing in numerous film and television projects over the years such as Fight Club, Mission: Impossible III and The Amazing Spider-Man.[1]

In 1993, Ciarfalio received a call to appear in a Roger Corman production. "They were looking for a stunt man. They were looking for somebody about six feet tall and weighed about 220 pounds or so...So, I went to the audition and we talked a little bit and they thought I was the guy, which was, you know, very cool." While the actor who was playing Ben Grimm (Michael Bailey Smith) was tall, he was unable to fit in the Thing suit and thus Ciarfalio found himself wearing the costume which he found "the hottest fucking thing" he ever wore.[2]

On October 20, 2014, Ciarfalio launched a Kickstarter campaign to have a biography book published. He reached his goal at $11,055 and in September 2015 published Stars, Stunts and Stories: A Hollywood Stuntman's Fall to Fame. The book was co-written by Teri Ryan.[3][4]

Filmography[edit]

Stunts[edit]

Television roles
Year Title Note
1979 B.J. and the Bear Episode: "The Eyes of Texas"; Stunt performer; uncredited
1984 Scarecrow and Mrs. King Episode: "Fearless Dotty"; Stunt performer
1985 Wes Craven's Chiller TV movie; Stunt double: Paul Sorvino
1985 J.O.E. and the Colonel TV movie; uncredited
1988 In the Heat of the Night Episode: "Road Kill"; uncredited
1988 Simon & Simon Episode: "First, Let's Kill All the Lawyers"; uncredited
1989 Fair Game TV Pilot; Stunt performer; uncredited
1990 The Great Los Angeles Earthquake TV movie
1991 They Came from Outer Space Episode: "Play Doctor"; uncredited
1991 The Flash Episode: "Alpha"; uncredited
1991-1995 Murder, She Wrote 3 episodes; uncredited
1992 Quantum Leap 2 episodes; uncredited
1995 Family Matters Episode: "The Substitute Son"; uncredited
1995 Alien Nation: Body and Soul TV movie
1998 Dallas: War of the Ewings TV movie
1998 Babylon 5: Thirdspace TV movie; uncredited
1999 Velocity Trap TV movie
2001 2001 ABC World Stunt Awards TV special; Stunt coordinator
2001-2003 The Wayne Brady Show 7 episodes; Stunt coordinator
2003 The Bold and the Beautiful 1 episode; Stunt double
2005 The O.C. Episode: "The O.C. Confidential"; Stunt performer
2006 ER Episode: "Twenty-One Guns"; Stunt performer
2006 Without a Trace Episode: "The Calm Before"; Stunt performer
2012 Fact Checkers Unit Episode: "James Franco Is Preggers"; Stunt coordinators
2014 Isa TV movie; Stunt coordinator
2014 Sharknado 2: The Second One TV movie; Utility stunts
2014-2015 Justified 2 episodes; Stunt performer
2015 Community Episode: "Modern Espionage"; uncredited
2015 Rellik TV movie
2016 Westworld Episode: "Dissonance Theory"; uncredited
2019 The Adventures of Gin and Sapphy Episode: "Pharoahs Catacomb Part Two"; Stunt Supervisor
Film roles
Year Title Note
1979 Do It in the Dirt
1983 The Osterman Weekend
1983 D.C. Cab
1984 Against All Odds Stunt double: Alex Karras
1985 The Zoo Gang
1985 Commando
1985 To Live and Die in L.A. Stunt player
1985 Runaway Train
1986 Police Academy 3: Back in Training
1986 Invaders from Mars Stunt marine
1987 Number One with a Bullet
1987 Extreme Prejudice Uncredited
1987 Real Men Stunt player
1987 Zebra Force Stunt player
1987 Death Wish 4: The Crackdown Stunt player
1988 Aloha Summer
1988 Beetlejuice
1988 Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
1989 Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects Stunt player
1989 Criminal Act
1989 No Holds Barred Stunt player
1989 Lock Up
1989 Cage
1989 Johnny Handsome
1989 Glory Stunt player
1989 Think Big
1990 Lionheart Stunt double: Voyo Goric
1990 The Hunt for Red October
1990 King of New York
1990 RoboCop 2 Unnamed gun store robber
1990 State of Grace
1990 Death Warrant Stunt player
1990 The Rookie
1991 Shakes the Clown Additional stunts
1991 29th Street
1992 Leather Jackets
1992 Wayne's World
1992 Class Act
1992 Rapid Fire
1992 Sneakers
1992 The Public Eye
1992 CIA Code Name: Alexa Stunt player
1992 Sweet Justice
1993 Trouble Bound
1993 Best of the Best II
1993 Street Knight
1993 Ring of Fire 2: Blood and Steel Uncredited
1993 Joshua Tree Stunt double: Beau Starr
1993 RoboCop 3 Unnamed resistance fighter against OCP
1993 Private Wars Direct-to-video
1993 CIA II: Target Alexa
1993 Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
1993 No Escape, No Return
1994 Monkey Trouble Stunt player
1994 Direct Hit Direct-to-video
1994 Beverly Hills Cop III Stunt performer
1994 Zero Tolerance
1994 Blankman
1994 The Specialist
1994 Stranger by Night Direct-to-video
1994 A Low Down Dirty Shame
1994 T-Force
1994 Ring Of Fire 3: Lion Strike
1995 For Better or Worse
1995 Excessive Force II: Force on Force
1995 Cover Me Direct-to-video
1995 Mallrats
1995 Get Shorty
1995 Drifting School Stunt coordinator and stunt performer
1995 Chameleon
1996 One Tough Bastard
1996 Foxfire
1996 Feeling Minnesota
1996 Crossworlds Direct-to-video
1996 Santa with Muscles Stunt double: Don Stark
1997 Romy and Michele's High School Reunion Stunt limo driver
1997 Batman & Robin
1997 Lolita
1998 Vampires
1998 Out of Sight
1998 Memorial Day
1999 Angel's Dance
1999 Fight Club Stunt performer
2001 A.I. Artificial Intelligence
2001 Megiddo: The Omega Code 2
2001 Corky Romano
2002 Men in Black II Uncredited
2002 Serving Sara
2002 Leaving the Land Stunt coordinator
2003 Daredevil
2003 A Man Apart
2003 Daddy Day Care
2003 Bruce Almighty
2003 Wonderland Utility stunts
2003 Bad Santa Stunt performer
2004 Starsky & Hutch
2004 El Padrino
2004 After the Sunset
2005 Wedding Crashers Stunt performer
2005 Shackles Direct-to-video
2006 Mission: Impossible III Uncredited
2006 The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift Direct-to-video
2007 Reno 911!: Miami
2007 Redline xStunt performer
2007 Forced Alliance Short film; Stunt coordinator
2007 Shoot 'Em Up
2008 The Hustle Stunt coordinator
2008 Kemper: The CoEd Killer Direct-to-video; uncredited
2008 Crazy Girls Undercover Stunt player
2009 The Grind Stunt coordinator
2009 Dark Moon Rising
2009 Ballistica
2010 Chain Letter Stunt coordinator
2010 The Book of Eli Stunt double: Joe Pingue
2011 The Green Hornet Stunt performer; uncredited
2011 Kill the Irishman
2012 The Amazing Spider-Man Stunt performer; uncredited
2012 Total Recall
2012 The Misadventures of the Dunderheads Stunt performer
2012 Set Apart Documentary short; Stunt performer
2013 Channeling Stunt coordinator
2013 Extraction Stunt performer; uncredited
2013 A Truth in Silence Short film; Stunt coordinator
2013 Out of the Furnace Stunt performer; uncredited
2014 Ride Along Precision driver
2014 Swelter Additional stunts; Stunt performer
2014 Come Back to Me Stunt coordinator
2014 The Extendables Stunt coordinator
2014 Mercenaries Stunt performer
2014 Isa Short film; Stunt coordinator
2014 Some Kind of Beautiful Precision driver
2014 Tell
2014 Taken 3 Stunt coordinator
2014 The Spy Who Came to Brunch Short film; Stunt coordinator
2015 Frankenstein Stunt rigger
2015 Tooken Stunt co-coordinator
2015 Pontiac Angel Short film; Stunt coordinator
2015 Sharknado: Heart of Sharkness Direct-to-video
2015 Chaser Short film; Stunt coordinator
2016 Meet the Blacks Stunt coordinator
2016 Black Mass Short film; Stunt coordinator
2017 Wyrm Short film; Stunt coordinator
2018 Searching Stunt driver
2018 Almost Home Stunt coordinator
2019 I Hate Kids Stunt coordinator
2019 American Bistro Stunt coordinator
2020 Big America Stunt coordinator
2021 The Little Things Uncredited
2022 Tribute Stunt coordinator

Actor[edit]

Film roles
Year Title Role Note
1982 Cannery Row Tackle
1986 Black Moon Rising Ringer's Man #1
1987 Number One with a Bullet Monte
1987 Death Wish 4: The Crackdown Henchman At Roller Rink Uncredited
1989 Licence to Kill Warehouse Guard
1989 Cage Hood #1
1989 Think Big Edwards
1989 Lock Up Prison Guard Uncredited
1990 Fatal Charm Cellblock Officer Direct-to-video
1991 Eve of Destruction Trooper Sergeant
1991 The Perfect Weapon Man In Alley
1991 Scissors Attacker
1991 Out for Justice Paulie
1991 Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time Policeman #2
1992 Freejack Bonejacker #3
1992 Far and Away Italian Boxer
1992 Death Ring Pax, Bar Bully Direct-to-video
1992 Rapid Fire Gunman Uncredited
1993 Trouble Bound Ted
1993 The Hit List Second Hitman
1993 Bounty Tracker Hook Direct-to-video
1993 Excessive Force Guard #1
1993 In the Line of Fire CIA Agent Collins
1993 No Escape, No Return Bouncer At Club
1994 Forced to Kill Unknown
1994 The Fantastic Four The Thing Officially starred
1994 Natural Born Killers Mallory's Guard #2
1994 The Specialist Ned's Thug In Hotelroom Uncredited
1994 Stranger by Night Hank Direct-to-video; uncredited
1994 Ring of Fire 3: Lion Strike Vito
1995 Night of the Running Man Thug
1995 Scanners: The Showdown Lobby Cop #2 Direct-to-video
1995 Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh Bartender
1995 Casino Tony 'Dogs'
1995 Drifting School Police #1
1996 Spy Hard Thug #1
1996 The Trigger Effect Security Guard
1996 The Undercover Kid Terrorist #2
1996 The Assault Lou
1997 Con Air Con #1
1997 Executive Power Thug Direct-to-video
1999 BitterSweet 'Puss' Direct-to-video
1999 The Limey Warehouse Thug
1999 Fight Club Lou's Body Guard
2000 Traffic Ruiz's Assistant
2003 National Security Stanton
2003 Wonderland Hit Man #1 Uncredited
2004 The Whole Ten Yards Goon #1
2005 Guess Who Traffic Cop
2006 Stump the Band Guido
2008 This Life Man
2009 From Mexico with Love Jake
2009 The Grind The Punisher
2009 Wrong Turn at Tahoe Thug 3
2011 3 Musketeers Agent Flowers Direct-to-video
2012 The Misadventures of the Dunderheads Pink Suit Gambler
2013 Out of the Furnace Man At Drive In
2014 The Extendables A.D.
2014 Mercenaries Driver
2014 Chasing the Past Zach's Boss (voice) Short film
2015 Pontiac Angel John Yoder Short film
2016 Surge of Power: Revenge of the Sequel Diamond
2019 American Bistro Man #1
Television roles
Year Title Role Note
1980
1980 The Incredible Hulk (1978 TV series) Biker Season 3: episode 15: "Long Run Home" uncredited
1980 The Incredible Hulk (1978 TV series) Swingtime Patron Season 4: episode 4: "Dark Side" uncredited
1981 The Incredible Hulk (1978 TV series) Brad's friend Season 4: episode 13: "The First: Part 2" uncredited
1984 The Fall Guy Unknown Episode: "Baja 1000"
1985 Scarecrow and Mrs. King Henchman #1 Episode: "A Relative Situation"
1985 Shadow Chasers Thompson Episode: "Parts Unknown"
1986 Magnum, P.I. Scott, Second Hitman Episode: "Summer School"
1986 Misfits of Science Joe Episode: "The Avenging Angel"
1986 The New Mike Hammer Reed Episode: "Mike's Baby"
1986 MacGyver Gorman Episode: "Silent World"
1987 Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife Unknown TV movie
1987 1st & Ten Mark Episode: "The Bulls Change Hands"
1987 The Golden Girls Black Crow Episode: "The Housekeeper"
1987 Sledge Hammer! Sokolsky Episode: "Comrade Hammer"
1987 Man In Restaurant Episode: "Vertical"; uncredited
1987 Party Guest Episode: "Hammer Hits the Rock"
1987 Unknown Episode: "Hammeroid"
1988 Beauty and the Beast Hopkins Episode: "Temptation"
1988 The Incredible Hulk Returns Barner TV movie
1988 Dynasty Truck Driver Episode: "Broken Krystle"
1988 Falcon Crest Fireman #2 Episode: "Dust to Dust"
1989 Nick Knight Pure Melrose TV movie
1989 Falcon Crest Deputy Sheriff #1 Episode: "Charley"
1989 The Nutt House Sailor #1 Episode: "The Nutt Cracker Suite"
1990 Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase Colin TV movie
1990 The New Adam-12 Gunman Episode: "211 Cabs"
1991 They Came from Outer Space Bruno Episode: "Play Doctor"
1991 Jake and the Fatman Rick Episode: "Every Time We Say Goodbye"
1992 Married... with Children Man Episode: "Rites of Passage"
1992 Step by Step Ted Davis Episode: "Stuck on You"
1992 Baywatch Riggs Episode: "Princess of Tides"
1992 Red Shoe Diaries Biker Episode: "Double or Nothing"
1993 The Fire Next Time Claude Miniseries
1993 Walker, Texas Ranger Gergen Episode: "End Run"
1994 Babylon 5 Poker Participant Episode: "The Quality of Mercy"; uncredited
1995 Family Matters Arm Wrestler Episode: "The Substitute Son"
1995 Vanishing Son Unknown Episode: "Jersey Girl"
1995 The Rockford Files: A Blessing in Disguise Brother Bob TV movie
1995 Renegade Parking Supervisor Episode: "Another Place and Time"
1995 Walker, Texas Ranger Sanders Episode: "On Sacred Ground"
1995 Walker Texas Ranger Computer Chip Dealer Episode: "Whitewater Part 1"; uncredited
1996 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Garrett Episode: "If You Love Someone..."
1996 Baywatch Nights Thug #1 Episode: "Thin Blood"
1996 Sisters Thug #2 Episode: "Dreamcatcher"
1996 Walker, Texas Ranger Bood Holland Episode: "Lucky"
1997 Dark Skies Supervisor Episode: "The Last Wave"
1997 Melrose Place Security Guard Episode: "Screams from a Marriage"
1997 Spy Game Roth Episode: "What, Micah Worry?"
1997 Walker, Texas Ranger Riley Episode: "A Woman's Place"
1998 Babylon 5 Drazi Vendor Episode: "Meditations on the Abyss"
1998 Babylon 5: Thirdspace Bar Patron TV movie; uncredited
1998 Seven Days Cadre Member #1 Pilot: Part 1
1998 The Practice Officer #3 Episode: "Line of Duty"
1999 Sons of Thunder Cowboy Guy Episode: "Daddy's Girl"
1999 Walker, Texas Ranger Murphy Episode: "Team Cherokee: Part 1"
2000 McKnight Episode: "Turning Point"
2001 18 Wheels of Justice Sal Primavera Episode: "A Family Upside Down"; uncredited
2001 The Practice Morris Episode: "Vanished: Part 1"
2002 Alias Vatican Guard Episode: "The Prophecy"; uncredited
2002 Charmed Huntsman Episode: "Happily Ever After"; uncredited
2002 24 Marshall Goren Episode: "Day 2: 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m."
2003 Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt Slim, The Henchman TV movie
2003 The Agency Sammy Banachi Episode: "Spy Finance"
2004 Monk First Goon Episode: "Mr. Monk Meets the Godfather"
2006 The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman Gunman Episode: "Turning Manure Into Soy"
2006 Heroes Jumpsuit Episode: "Chapter Two 'Don't Look Back'"
2007 Day Break Bus Driver Episode: "What If It's Him?"; uncredited
2007 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Hank Connors Episode: "Leapin' Lizards"
2010 The Forgotten Eric Boden Episode: "Patient John"
2011 Mega Python vs. Gatoroid Billy TV movie
2011 CSI: NY Carlo Episode: "Party Down"
2011 The Mentalist Officer #1 Episode: "Strawberries and Cream: Part 1"
2011 The Whole Truth Rikers Guard Episode: "The End"
2013 Cleaners 'Scarface' Episode: "It's a Classic"
2014 Extant Service Truck Driver Episode: "A Pack of Cards"
2015 Community Cook #2 Episode: "Modern Espionage"
2015 Ominous Cook TV movie
2016 The GPS Zone Randy TV movie
2020 Shoot from the Hip The Cooler Episode: "Rage of the Phantom"
Video game role
Year Title Role
1993 Ground Zero: Texas Card Player #2

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The Unsung Stuntman: Carl Ciarfalio Takes a Bow". Beverly in Movieland. January 13, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  2. ^ Fowlie, David J. (October 11, 2016). "Interview with stunt actor/coordinator Carl Ciarfalio". Keeping It Reel. Wordpress. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  3. ^ Ciarfalio, Carl. "Stars, Stunts and Stories: One Man's Fall to Fame". Kickstarter. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  4. ^ Ciarfalio, Carl; Ryan, Teri (August 18, 2015). Stars, Stunts and Stories: A Hollywood Stuntman's Fall to Fame. Ryan Publishing Group. ISBN 9780986155277.

External links[edit]