Trivia - The Fall Guy (The TV Series)

When I was a kid, one of the biggest shows on television was The Six Million Dollar Man, and Lee Majors was the TV superstar of the era. I watched that show religiously—so much so that I even had the action figure to prove it. Of course, I was just as devoted to its hit spin-off, The Bionic Woman. Lee Majors was everywhere, and for a young TV-obsessed kid like me, he was larger than life.

So when it was announced that Mr. Majors was returning to television in a brand-new series called The Fall Guy, I was instantly all in. Lee would play Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stuntman who moonlighted as a bounty hunter. Action, stunts, and Lee Majors? Sign me up. I counted the days until the premiere. From its two-hour pilot movie to its final episode in 1986, I was completely hooked on the high-flying adventures of Colt, his cousin Howie Munson (Douglas Barr), a stuntman-in-training, and the smart, fearless fellow stuntwoman Jody Banks (Heather Thomas).

Now, 40 years later—sparked by my recent chat with the talented and charming Douglas Barr (still beloved by fans for his role on The Fall Guy and featured on Hollywood Obsessed Episodes 151 & 152!)—I’ve put together a fun, nostalgic, and yes… slightly obsessive trivia list celebrating this iconic 1980s TV classic.

So buckle up, grab onto something sturdy, and get ready to travel back in time—because Colt Seavers and his stunt-loving crew are about to take you on the ride of your life.

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The concept for The Fall Guy was inspired by the real-life adventures of legendary stuntman Hal Needham, who doubled for Burt Reynolds and lived a genuine daredevil lifestyle. His career helped shape the character Colt Seavers.

This action-adventure television series starred Lee Majors, Douglas Barr, and Heather Thomas as Hollywood stunt performers who moonlight as bounty hunters.

Series creator Glen A. Larson famously ran into Lee Majors at an airport and signed him on to star in The Fall Guy before Majors ever saw a script. Majors later became a co-producer, performed many of his own stunts, sang the theme song, and led the series for all five seasons.

The pilot episode was written by Glen Larson and directed by Russ Mayberry. Much of the first season was written and script-edited by David Brafff and Nick Thiel, who departed after Season One.

The opening title sequence reused real stunt footage from earlier 20th Century Fox films, including The Poseidon Adventure, Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

One blink-and-you’ll-miss-it shot in the opening credits comes from the 1976 film Silver Streak, featuring Gene Wilder dangling from a train signal bridge before taking a dramatic fall.

The opening credits also include a shot of Lon Chaney’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—a subtle nod to classic Hollywood.

Because the series was produced by 20th Century Fox, Colt Seavers frequently performed stunts right on the Fox studio lot.

The Fall Guy aired on ABC from November 4, 1981, to May 2, 1986, and quickly became one of the most recognizable action-adventure series of the 1980s.

The show became famous for celebrity cameos, with stars playing themselves. Lee Majors personally invited many former co-stars, including Lindsay Wagner, Richard Anderson, Linda Evans, James Coburn, Doug McClure, James Drury, Peter Breck, Stewart Granger, and Buddy Hackett.

In the pilot episode, Farrah Fawcett—fresh off her highly publicized divorce from Majors—appeared on the show to demonstrate that they were separating on good terms. The two remained close friends until Farrah’s death in 2009.

Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk) appeared as himself in Season 4’s episode “The Winner.”

The theme song, “Unknown Stuntman,” was sung by Lee Majors and became a minor hit in the early 1980s, particularly popular in Germany. It was initially credited to Majors and later to his character, Colt Seavers, and even included the cheeky lyric, “I’ve been seen with Farrah.”

Colt’s iconic brown-and-tan truck began as a 1981 GMC K-2500 Wideside Sierra Grande. The punishing stunt work destroyed multiple vehicles, leading production to cycle through various Chevy and GMC models.

Beginning in Season Two, General Motors supplied three specially modified trucks for stunt sequences, including one with the engine repositioned mid-chassis beneath the cab seat for added safety.

The Fall Guy expanded beyond television with a 1981 Milton Bradley board game, a comic strip illustrated by Jim Baikie for Look-In magazine, and a 1984 video game developed by Elite Systems.

Season One featured bail bondswoman Samantha “Big Jack” Jack, played by Jo Ann Pflug. After 22 episodes, the character disappeared and was replaced in Season Two by Markie Post’s Terri Michaels—Samantha was mentioned again but never seen.

Markie Post later left The Fall Guy to take on her most iconic role as Christine Sullivan on NBC’s Night Court.

Lee Majors’ son, Lee Majors II, appeared alongside his father in the The Fall Guy episode “In His Shadow” (Season 5, Episode 13), playing Colt Seavers’ son, Dustin. He later went on to appear in all three Six Million Dollar Man/Bionic Woman reunion films, making it a true family affair in the Bionic universe.

During the show’s run, Heather Thomas struggled with cocaine addiction and entered rehabilitation in the mid-1980s. She retired from acting in 1998 to focus on family, writing, and political activism.

Douglas Barr left acting in 1994 and went on to become a screenwriter and director. He also co-founded Hollywood & Vine Cellars, a boutique Napa Valley winery, before retiring in recent years.

The Fall Guy returned to the big screen in 2024 with a feature film starring Ryan Gosling and directed by former stuntman David Leitch. While reviews were positive and box office returns were solid, the film’s large budget prevented it from turning a profit.

Lee Majors and Heather Thomas reunited for cameo appearances as police officers in the 2024 film, creating a full-circle moment as Ryan Gosling stepped into the role of Colt Seavers.

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Some facts in this post were sourced from IMDb and Wikipedia.

Whether you’re a lifelong Fall Guy fanatic or somehow discovering Colt Seavers and his stunt-filled world for the very first time (seriously… where have you been hiding for the past 40 years?), there’s no denying the lasting impact this show has had on pop culture—and on those of us who never stopped loving it. The action, the humor, the stunts, the swagger… it all still delivers, decades later.

But trust me, the real magic happens when you hear the stories straight from the people who lived it.

Do yourself a favor and tune in to my in-depth, fun, and nostalgia-packed conversation with the talented and charming Douglas Barr on Hollywood Obsessed (Episodes 151 & 152). He shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories, unforgettable memories, and fascinating insights that every Fall Guy fan will absolutely love. It’s a ride worth taking—no stunt double required.

Listen to the full interview on the Hollywood Obsessed Podcast click below.

Episode 151 - HERE

Episode 152 - HERE