Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ is a love letter to the Golden Age of Hollywood. The film blended historical events with fictional characters to create a vivid portrayal of 1969 Los Angeles. Tarantino is known for integrating his own take on major events to deliver Oscar-winning masterpieces, and OUATIH was one of them.
Moreover, among the film’s most compelling characters is Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt, who embodies the mystique, danger, and charisma of old-school Hollywood stuntmen. However, while Booth himself is a fictional character, his creation was heavily influenced by real-life figures. Additionally, with a sequel for the film officially on the way, there’s a lot to answer.
The Making Of Cliff Booth In ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’
Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Cliff Booth earned him an Academy Award. Booth’s effortless cool, unwavering loyalty to his best friend Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), and murky history of alleged violence make him one of Tarantino’s most enigmatic characters. However, who inspired Cliff Booth’s creation?
Now that a ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ sequel is officially confirmed (via Variety) despite having no title yet, fans have a lot of questions. To add more to the excitement, David Fincher will be directing the sequel with Tarantino writing the story. Additionally, Brad Pitt will also reportedly join the film.
Tarantino looked to Hollywood’s past, drawing from the lives of legendary stuntmen Hal Needham and Gary Kent to shape Booth. Brad Pitt’s performance as Cliff was modeled after Tom Laughlin’s portrayal of Billy Jack in the 1971 film of the same name. However, the character itself was inspired by two legendary stuntmen: Hal Needham and Gary Kent.
Both men were trailblazers in Hollywood’s stunt industry and were the perfect templates for Tarantino’s vision of Booth. Hal, one of the most well-known stunt performers in Hollywood, was the longtime friend and stunt double of Burt Reynolds. Their relationship closely mirrored the dynamic between Booth and Dalton in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’.
Like Booth, Needham was fiercely loyal to Reynolds, even living in his guest house for over a decade. Needham’s career was defined by high-risk stunts that made him a legend in the industry. From car crashes to massive leaps from buildings, he was one of the best in the business. Eventually, he transitioned from stuntman to director and became a successful filmmaker.
Then there’s Gary Kent, a stuntman and actor who worked on low-budget productions and cult films throughout the ’60s and ’70s. His name might not be as widely known as Needham’s. However, Kent’s career was also filled with fascinating experiences. He was directly connected to the dark underbelly of ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’.
In an eerie parallel to the film, Kent once had an unsettling encounter with Charles Manson and his infamous cult at the Spahn Ranch. This real-life experience served as a major inspiration for Tarantino’s depiction of Booth’s tense confrontation with the Manson Family in the movie. By blending their personality elements, Brad Pitt’s Booth was born.
Cliff Booth: Quentin Tarantino’s Tribute To Hollywood’s Unsung Heroes
Beyond Needham and Kent, Cliff Booth represents a larger-than-life homage to the unsung heroes of Hollywood. Stunt performers despite having a very difficult job aren’t often given the spotlight. While actors often receive the glory, it’s the stuntmen who take the hard falls and endure brutal physicality to bring the action to life.
In case you missed it: Quentin Tarantino Says He Would Never Again Watch Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’ Sequels
One of the film’s most iconic moments (the rooftop fight between Booth and Bruce Lee) sparked debates about whether Tarantino’s portrayal of Lee was fair. However, beyond the controversy, the scene underscored the idea that stuntmen were tough, unyielding, and often underestimated. In Hollywood’s early days, stuntmen were often overshadowed by the stars they protected and doubled for.
Even now, they rarely receive the recognition they deserve. Booth, like Needham and Kent, is a testament to their resilience and skill. However, Tarantino also weaves a darker edge to Booth’s character. Unlike the real-life stuntmen who inspired him, Booth carries a mysterious past, with whispers of having murdered his wife. But this backstory is left deliberately ambiguous.
Moreover, Tarantino challenges the audience to decide for themselves: Is Booth just a misunderstood, good-natured tough guy, or is there something more sinister lurking beneath his charm? As the sequel to ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ moves forward, it remains to be seen how Booth’s character will evolve. With Brad Pitt reprising the role, audiences can expect another deep dive into the world of Hollywood’s stuntmen.
