Alice Van-Springsteen
Alice Van-Springsteen | |
|---|---|
 Van-Springsteen, c. 1942 | |
| Born | Alice Grace van der Veen July 12, 1918 Arvada, Colorado, U.S. |
| Died | September 13, 2008 (aged 90) San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Occupations | Stuntwoman, rodeo rider, jockey, horse trainer |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | Golden Boot Award (1992) National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame (1998) |
Alice Grace Van-Springsteen (née van der Veen; July 12, 1918 – September 13, 2008) was an American stuntwoman, rodeo rider and horsewoman. A world-champion trick rider before entering the film industry, she became one of Hollywood's prominent female stunt riders and worked as a stunt double for actresses including Dale Evans, Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Wyman, Ingrid Bergman and Barbara Stanwyck.[1][2]
Van-Springsteen also rode as a jockey and obtained a license to train Thoroughbred racehorses. The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame describes her as the second woman to receive a trainer's license.[1] Her contributions to Western film and horsemanship were recognized with a Golden Boot Award in 1992 and induction into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in 1998.[3][1]
Early life and rodeo career
Van-Springsteen was born Alice Grace van der Veen in Arvada, Colorado, on July 12, 1918.[2]
She began performing as a trick rider in 1930 and competed in trick, fancy and relay riding at major rodeos in the United States and abroad. She eventually became a world-champion trick rider.[1]
Van-Springsteen participated in equestrian performances connected with the opening ceremonies of the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.[2] Her rodeo career later took her as far as Australia.[1]
In addition to rodeo and exhibition riding, Van-Springsteen became involved in Thoroughbred racing. She rode as a jockey and later obtained a trainer's license. The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame identifies her as only the second woman to receive such a license.[1][2]
Stunt career
Van-Springsteen's equestrian ability led to work as a Hollywood stunt performer. Her first film stunt work was in the 1935 Will Rogers film In Old Kentucky.[2]
Her speciality was horseback stunt work, and she became one of the most sought-after female stunt riders in the film industry.[1] Her work included doubling for Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet (1944).[2]
Van-Springsteen also performed stunts for actresses including Marion Davies, Jane Wyman, Ingrid Bergman and Barbara Stanwyck.[2] Much of her later career was associated with Western films and television.
Dale Evans
Van-Springsteen became particularly closely associated with actress and singer Dale Evans. She served as Evans's stunt double for much of Evans's screen career and the two became longtime friends.[2]
Van-Springsteen performed the more demanding riding and action sequences required in Evans's Western films and television productions. Their association extended beyond their professional work and continued after both women had largely withdrawn from regular film production.[2]
Evans later participated in the ceremony at which Van-Springsteen received her Golden Boot Award.[3]
Horse racing
Although best known for rodeo and film stunt work, Van-Springsteen also participated in Thoroughbred racing as both a rider and trainer.
She rode as a jockey during an era when women had few opportunities to participate professionally in American racing.[2] She later obtained a license to train Thoroughbreds. The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame credits her as the second woman to receive a trainer's license.[1]
Complete statistics for Van-Springsteen's racing career are not readily available, and her racing accomplishments were ultimately overshadowed by her longer careers in rodeo and motion-picture stunt work.
Honors
In August 1992, Van-Springsteen received a Golden Boot Award, an honor recognizing contributions to Western film and television. Dale Evans was scheduled to present the award to her at the ceremony.[3]
Van-Springsteen was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in 1998. The museum recognized her career as a world-champion trick rider, rodeo performer and Hollywood stunt rider.[1]
Personal life
Van-Springsteen married film and television director Robert G. "Bud" Springsteen in 1960. They remained married until his death in 1989.[4]
The couple had one son, Norman Van Der Veen, who predeceased his mother. Van-Springsteen was survived by a granddaughter.[2]
Death
Van-Springsteen died of pneumonia on September 13, 2008, at Point Loma Convalescent Hospital in San Diego. She was 90.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Alice Van-Springsteen". National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Stuntwoman Alice Van-Springsteen dies". The Hollywood Reporter. September 16, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Hopkins sinks teeth into 'Dracula' role". Variety. August 11, 1992. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
- ↑ "R. G. Springsteen". IMDb. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
External links
- 1918 births
- 2008 deaths
- American stunt performers
- American female jockeys
- American racehorse trainers
- American female horse trainers
- American female equestrians
- Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductees
- Deaths from pneumonia in California
- People from Arvada, Colorado
- 20th-century American sportswomen
- 20th-century American women