As word spreads about the passing of Danny Virtue on September 4, 2025, at age 76, tributes have begun to roll in from countless cast and crew members who were touched by his work as a producer, stunt coordinator and horse whisperer on over 1,000 films and TV shows, ranging from “The Twilight Saga” to HBO’s series “The Last of Us” to multiple Hallmark movies.
Virtue died surrounded by his family, according to Stunts Canada, including his longtime love Charlotte, whom he married in late August — a touching milestone that their son and fellow stunt coordinator Marshall Virtue shared on Instagram. The couple were also parents to stuntman Clay Virtue, who died tragically in 2017.
Celebrities from Pedro Pascal to Kristoffer Polaha have called Danny Virtue a “legend” in tributes to him. Among his many achievements, Virtue created and executive-produced the early 90s TV series “Neon Rider,” syndicated in 100 countries, and later built the 200-acre Virtue Studio Ranch in British Columbia, a groundbreaking film studio and respite for kids and young adults facing illnesses and other challenges.
Despite his many awards and accomplishments, Virtue was notoriously humble. At the time of his death, he was working with Joel McCarthy on a documentary while battling stage 4 cancer, McCarthy shared on September 5 via Facebook. He posted an interview clip with Virtue in which the movie legend humbly said, “The movies and all, that was just my work. And I tried my hardest to do good. But basically, I just want people to remember me as a good friend. That’s it. No big deal.”
Kristoffer Polaha Says Danny Virtue ‘Changed Lives for the Better’
Virtue was not only a sought-after stuntman and stunt coordinator, but a trusted and sought-after horse trainer who worked with countless stars on their equine scenes, according to the Danny Virtue Foundation — a nonprofit he founded in 2000 to provide kids and young adults meaningful, therapeutic experiences in nature and with horses.
Polaha met Virtue on the set of “Jurassic Park: Dominion” and was struck not only by his expertise but by his dedication to helping others. He hosted a meaningful discussion with Virtue via Instagram Live in 2020, seen above.
Upon Virtue’s passing, Polaha shared in a comment on Stunt Canada’s Instagram tribute, “Danny was a virtue to the global film community. He taught me how to really ride a horse, but more than that, he engrained in me a sense of the stunt culture. He was a pioneer, a legend, and let’s not be coy about it – rock n roll and punk rock all rolled up into his talent as a stuntman and producer.”
Polaha continued, “He was also a leader. He cared. His foundation changed lives for the better and the world for good. He was my friend. He poured into ideas with enthusiasm and passion and I’ll miss him. Until next time.”
Meghan Ory, John Cassini & Others Pay Tribute to Danny Virtue
Virtue worked on many Hallmark productions over the years, including “Big Sky River,” “Love in Paradise,” “Engaging Father Christmas,” and “Just in Time For Christmas,” per IMDb.
Members of the Hallmark family who expressed sadness over the news of Virtue’s death included Meghan Ory, who wrote in her Instagram Stories, “This is so sad. Danny Virtue was the best.”
Actor and producer John Cassini, whose Hallmark movies include 2024’s “Debbie Macomber’s Joyful Mrs. Miracle” and 2021’s “Making Spirits Bright,” wrote a lengthy tribute to Virtue, whom he’d known since 1990, when he guest starred on “Neon Rider.”
“While those of us who knew and loved him were aware of his battle with illness in recent years, his passing is still incredibly difficult to accept,” Cassini wrote, calling Virtue “a man of integrity and kindness, yet also one of the true tough guys with a heart of gold.”
“Curious Caterer” stuntman Lochlyn Monroe wrote a tribute post in which he called Virtue an “absolute legend” and “someone I looked up to as I navigated my journey through this crazy industry called ‘show biz’. Such a gentleman and such a pro.”
Pedro Pascal Gushed About Working With ‘Legend’ Danny Virtue
In May, HBO featured Virtue’s work with the cast of “The Last of Us” in a behind-the-scenes video, in which star Pedro Pascal said, “I consider myself incredibly lucky to have worked with him and to witness his brilliant relationship to horses.”
Pascal shared the video on TikTok and expanded on his gratitude, writing, “Big thanks to Danny Virtue for teaching me how to ride without looking like I was clinging for dear life. Couldn’t have made it through those stunt sequences in Season 2 without him. The man’s a legend.”
In a post announcing Virtue’s passing, his son Marshall wrote, “He will be celebrated, and I’ll share details about the service soon, as I know many people will want to pay their respects.”
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