Louis Tomei

American racing driver (1909–1955)
Louis Tomei
BornLuigi Gilaberto Tomei
(1909-02-17)February 17, 1909
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
DiedMay 15, 1955(1955-05-15) (aged 46)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Champ Car career
10 races run over 12 years
Best finish14th (1941)
First race1932 Oakland 150 (Oakland)
Last race1946 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Wins Podiums Poles
0 0 0

Louis Gilbert Tomei (born Luigi Gilaberto Tomei, February 10, 1909 or February 17, 1909 – May 15, 1955) was an American racing driver active during the 1930s and 1940s, and a stuntman active during the 1940s and 1950s.

Stunt performer

After World War II, Tomei worked as a stuntman and bit-part actor. His most notable appearance was in A Star is Born (1954). The following year, he died doubling for actor Edward G. Robinson during the filming of the movie Hell on Frisco Bay. Tomei was performing a fight scene on a motorboat that marked the climax of the movie when he was hurled against a metal fitting on the boat. He suffered a severe head injury, and died in hospital later that night.[1]

Tomei was not related to the actresses Concetta Tomei or Marisa Tomei.

Motorsports career results

Indianapolis 500 results

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired
1935 26 32 110.794 32 28 47 0 Valve
1936 27 8 111.078 33 27 44 0 Engine support
1937 53 18 116.437 32 10 200 0 Running
1938 21 24 121.599 10 23 88 0 Rod
1939 58 30 118.426 30 15 186 0 Flagged
1940 26 18 119.980 32 16 190 0 Exhaust pipe
1941 53 24 121.070 26 11 200 0 Running
1946 15 22 119.193 30 26 34 0 Oil line
Totals 989 0
Starts 8
Poles 0
Front Row 0
Wins 0
Top 5 0
Top 10 1
Retired 5

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1942 Spy Smasher Joe, Warehouse Thug Serial, [Ch. 8], Uncredited
1950 The Flame and the Arrow Guard Uncredited
1951 Excuse My Dust Race Driver Uncredited
1952 Army Bound Herb Turner
1952 The Iron Mistress Heacock Uncredited
1953 Jalopy Jalopy Driver Uncredited
1953 Jeopardy Officer at 2nd Barricade Uncredited
1953 The Charge at Feather River Pvt. Curry
1954 Phantom of the Rue Morgue Albert Voice, Uncredited
1954 A Star is Born Signboard Man #1 Uncredited
1954 The Silver Chalice Bystander Uncredited
1955 The Prodigal Abu Uncredited, (final film role)

References

  1. ^ "STUNT MAN, INJURED MAKING FILM, DIES". Los Angeles Times. May 17, 1955. p. A1.

External links

  • Louis Tomei at Historic Racing
  • Louis Tomei at IMDb