STUNTS, STARS & LEGENDS August 2011

Marguerite and Clifford Happy
by John Hagner (Artist of the Stars)

Marguerite was raised in Salinas, California. She married Clifford in 1977 and moved to Newhall. Don Happy, her father-in-law assisted her in becoming an extra in the movie business. In 1979, in the film “1941”, stunt coordinator Terry Leonard converted her during a fight routine which started off her stunt career.

Her credits include: “Men in Black II”, “The Mask of Zorro”, “Runaway Bride”, “Charlie’s Angels Full Throttle” and in “Thelma and Louise”, which was filmed in Moab, Utah. During her stay in Moab, she was foot printed in cement at the Hollywood Stuntmen’s Hall of Fame, which was here from 1988 until 1996. While it was open to the public, many Stars and Stunt People were so honored. Marguerite is a member of The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association ... her specialty is horse work, although she has joined the ranks of a well-rounded stuntwoman. Her family is a blessing and raising children is one of the most rewarding feats in life, while stunt work is the excitement which has been the icing on the cake.

Marguerite and Clifford were inducted in the Hollywood Stuntmen’s Hall of Fame in 2010, joining many of the stunt legends.

Some of the other films Marguerite include: “Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen” (1981), “War Games” (1983), “Triumphs of a Man Called Horse” (1983), “Wanted:Dead or Alive” (1986), “Three Amigos” (1986), “Beauty and the Beast” (TV series) (1987), “Throw Momma from the Train” (1987), “She’s So Lovely” (1997), “The Nurse” (1997), “Back to the Future Part Ill” (stunt double: Mary Steenburgen) (1990), and many more.

Clifford Happy was born to Don and Edith Happy in Newhall, California and grew up around the Rodeo business. Edith is an inductee of The national Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. Don was an NFR pick-up man in 1961 and 1962! Clifford worked every event excelling in steer wrestling, calf roping, saddle bronc and bareback riding getting his RCA card at the young age of 13. He was a Cal Poly C.N.F.R. team champ in 1973, the last year they won Nationals! His father Don opened doors into the film business. Cliff quickly became an established, well rounded, working stuntman and was asked to join Stuntmen’s Association of Motion Pictures.

Some of Clifford’s credits include: “Lonesome Dove”, “The Good Old Boys”, “Dukes of Hazzard”, “U.S. Marshalls”, “Double Jeopardy”, which was filmed in Moab, Utah, “Men in Black II”, “The Hunted”, “The Missing”, “Anchorman”, and “Geronimo: American Legend” (it was in 1993 in Moab when he worked in this film. Recently he coordinated stunts on “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada”. His and Marguerite’s two sons, Sean and Ryan, are third generation stuntmen and are carrying on the family legacy!

Some of Clifford’s other films were: “Animal House” (1978), “Hooper” (1978), “The Villain” (1979), “The Long Riders” (1980), “Blue Thunder” (1983), “Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone” (1983), “Triumphs of a Man Called Horse” (1983), “Silverado” (1985), “North and South” (TV mini-series) (1985), “Three Amigos” (1986), “Pink Cadillac” (1989), “Ghostbusters II” (1989), “Glory” (1989), “El Diablo” (TV movie) (1990), “Under Siege” (1992), “The Fugitive” (1993), “Batman Forever” (stunt double for Tommy Lee Jones) (1995), “Men In Black” (1997), “Rough Riders” (TV movie) (1997), “ and many more.

The Hollywood Stuntmen’s Hall of Fame is presently looking for a new home. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor in this effort may contact John Hagner (Founder) at 435 260-2160. Tax deductible donations are welcome and appreciated. Mailing address is: Hollywood Stuntmen’s Hall of Fame (Attn: John Hagner), 81 W. Kane Creek Blvd. - #12, Moab, Utah 84532. Website for the Hall of Fame is www.stuntmen.org. Go to Facebook and search out Falling For Stars. Then Artist of the Stars, then Stunt Stars and Legends.