Merritt Yohnka was a celebrated stunt coordinator and stunt performer who worked on many popular films and shows, including ‘Lucifer’, ‘Chuck’, ‘Transformers’, and ‘Die Hard 4.0’. He passed away in 2020 after a valiant fight with cancer. In this article, we will look at his life, career, and legacy.
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Early Life and Education
Merritt Yohnka was born on April 1, 1958, in Chebanse, Illinois. He studied at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois, before venturing into Hollywood to carve out a successful career in the industry. He worked at Knott’s Berry Farm in southern California and was the star of the farm’s ‘Wild West Stunt Show’. Yohnka also occasionally worked as a security guard at night during that time. He eventually landed a recurring role as Joey on the soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives’.
Career as a Stuntman and Stunt Coordinator
Yohnka’s passion for stunts and action led him to pursue a career as a stuntman and stunt coordinator. He worked on over 200 films and shows, showcasing his skills in various genres and scenarios. Some of his notable credits include ‘The Italian Job’, ‘The Fast and the Furious’, ‘The Bourne Identity’, ‘The Matrix Reloaded’, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’, ‘Spider-Man 2’, ‘Mission: Impossible III’, ‘Iron Man’, ‘The Dark Knight’, ‘Avatar’, ‘Inception’, ‘The Hunger Games’, ‘The Avengers’, ‘Django Unchained’, ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’, and many more.
Yohnka also made numerous appearances in small roles on many television shows, such as ‘The X-Files’, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, ‘Alias’, ‘24’, ‘Lost’, ‘NCIS’, ‘Supernatural’, and ‘Breaking Bad’.
Yohnka served as a stunt coordinator on several shows, such as ‘Rizzoli & Isles’, ‘Scorpion’, ‘The Last Ship’, and most recently, ‘Lucifer’. He worked on 29 episodes of the popular supernatural series from 2017 to 2019, creating some of the most memorable action sequences of the show. He received two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Stunt Coordination for his exceptional work on the spy thriller series ‘Chuck’ in 2008 and 2009.
Personal Life and Death
Yohnka met his wife of twenty-four years, Cindy Yohnka, in 1992 during the filming of a car commercial in which they played husband and wife. The couple tied the knot in 1996 and resided in Sherwood Forest, Los Angeles County. They had no children.
Yohnka was diagnosed with two forms of cancer in 2019. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but his condition worsened over time. He died on September 16, 2020, surrounded by his family and friends. He was 62 years old.
Tribute and Legacy
Yohnka’s death was mourned by many of his colleagues and fans who appreciated his talent and contribution to the entertainment industry. Many members of the ‘Lucifer’ cast took to social media to honor the late stunt coordinator, including lead Tom Ellis, who posted a touching tribute on Instagram. The show also dedicated its season 5 part 2 finale to Yohnka’s memory.
Yohnka will be remembered as one of the best stunt coordinators and performers in Hollywood history. His work has inspired many aspiring stuntmen and women to pursue their dreams. His legacy will live on through his amazing stunts that have thrilled millions of viewers around the world.
