An Exclusive Interview with Tom Wilson’s Photo Double, Charles FitzSimons

by Tom Silknitter, for BacktotheFuture.com

**Charles FitzSimons** in Old Biff makeup waits between takes on the 2015 set of Hill Valley. Photo courtesy Charles FitzSimons.

While you may be familiar with stunt doubles and their work in motion pictures, you may not know what role a photo double plays. A photo double is someone who portrays a character in front of the camera whenever the main actor is not needed for the scene. Quite often, a photo double is an actor whose back is to the camera, a closeup of their hands holding a prop, or a character seen off in the background.

In 1989, Robert Zemeckis' pushed the visual effects envelope in Back to the Future Part II by having numerous scenes filled with actors playing multiple characters within the same frame. This idea had been used before, but Zemeckis’ use of a computerized motion-controlled system called the “Vista Glide” was able to have a moving camera frame — not locked down with hard matte lines as had been the norm until that time. This process was created as the use of digital imaging technology, so everything had to be captured "in camera" and optically combined.

Charles FitzSimons, who had grown up around the entertainment industry, was Tom Wilson's photo double in Back to the Future Part II. Because of all the VistaGlide visual effects scenes, FitzSimons found he got to be involved in the production more than what a photo double would normally experience. In this exclusive interview, FitzSimons gives us a front row view of the creation of Back to the Future Part II .

Silknitter: Hi Charles — thank you for taking time to speak with BacktotheFuture.com today. In reviewing your IMDb film credits, we see you were doing some acting in various television shows at that time in your life. Was acting your original career focus?

FitzSimons: Acting wasn’t the main focus at that time in my life. More a hobby. I had show business in my blood. My father, Charles B FitzSimons, was a television producer and my Aunt, Maureen O’Hara, was a Golden Era of Hollywood actress. It came naturally to me.

**Charles FitzSimons** as “Max Schreck” in Tim Burton’s 1992 film, *Batman Returns*. Photo courtesy Charles FitzSimons

So, how did you get involved with working as a photo double? We see you also doubled as Christopher Walken in Batman Returns after your time on Back to the Future Part II.

I was signed up with Central Casting in Burbank. They would cast the photo doubles and stand-in’s for television and film production. I was hired on Batman Returns as Christopher Walken’s stand-in and photo double. Ironically, I worked once again on that film with 1st AD David McGiffert and stuntman Charlie Crowell from Back to the Future Part II.

How did you get selected to be Tom Wilson's photo double in Part II? Did someone find you, or did you go to the production?

Central Casting sent me on an audition to the Amblin offices on the Universal lot. I wasn’t told what it was. I had to reenact Biff’s “Hello? Hello? Anybody home? Think McFly, think” scene from Lou’s cafe for the auction. I had my suspicions it was for the sequel to Back to the Future.

So, were you a fan of the original film?

I was a big fan of the first film. Loved it!

What was it working with Tom Wilson, especially since you had to mimic his physical behavior? People who worked with him said he is NOTHING like Biff Tannen.

Tom Wilson was a really nice guy. Genuine and humble and very, very funny. Had me and the crew laughing all the time.

With all the VistaVision work being done, we feel you probably had a lot more photo double work than one would usually have working on a film. Does that sound accurate?

It wasn’t the usual photo double job. Changing characters, prosthetic makeup and reading dialogue was not the norm for a photo double. I also must have worked some of the second unit stuff because I remember Griff’s gang stunt doubles. The hoverboard chase scene.

Did they use the same prosthetic makeup from Tom Wilson on you in order to best match?

In the beginning, yes they did, but as we went along, they realized it was too time consuming so they molded a mask that I was fitted for as Old Biff. Hot and uncomfortable. I had to drink out of a straw.

How was it working those scenes with the VistaVision? There was lots of discussion that sets had to be locked, some items would be hot glued down (in the McFly house for example). Do you remember how the workflow was with these scenes?

VistaVision and using the VistaGlide camera was a complicated and time consuming process. Tom Wilson had to play both characters. We had earpieces for the dialogue and sometimes I would read the dialogue back to Tom. I was always used in those scenes for Tom’s eye line and interaction. Other scenes, I was actually filmed as Biff, Griff and Old Biff. I was driving as Old Biff, pulling in the driveway, scraping the bushes. Then we switched, and I was young Biff checking out the damage in the next scene.

**Charles FitzSimons** opposite **Tom Wilson** in multiple scenes from *Back to the Future Part II*.

You got to spend a lot of time on the Hill Valley set while working on Part II. What was it like to be there, seeing all the detail and different time periods?

It was amazing seeing the transformation of the Hill Valley set. It was done overnight as I recall.

Did you get to do any work in the 1985A scenes when Biff owned everything?

The alternate dystopian 1985 future was amazing. I remember that clearly. I was there for the duration of the filming. Several months. I was on the set of Biff’s Pleasure Palace.

What was it like having Robert Zemeckis as your director?

Robert Zemeckis was a pleasure to work with. I never saw him get angry or frustrated. Everybody liked him as far as I could tell.

Did you do any work on the third film? It seems like those duties was more stunt double related.

I didn’t work in Part III. No photo double needed. Plenty of work for the stunt doubles as you say. I remember they didn’t confirm my absence until late filming of Part II.

Were you able to keep any mementos after filming wrapped? Fans always wonder.

The only memento I received was a leather bomber jacket at the end of filming. A crew jacket. Everybody got one. But it didn’t have a Back to the Future Part II logo on it, to my disappointment.

So, what is your favorite memory from working on the film?

My best memory of working on the film was the sheer scope of the production. Knowing it was a big budget sequel. A joy to be on the set and part of the whole thing.

Is there anything else you would like fans to know about your career?

A footnote. I did work again with Tom Wilson in 1990. I got a call from Carla Corwin, the second AD from Back to the Future Part II, and she asked me if I would be interested in working as Tom’s stand-in on a TV pilot, “Turner and Hooch”. Tom was cast as the lead. The original movie was with Tom Hanks. The pilot never sold. Thanks!