Moonrunners
1975
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Jerry Elijah Rushing (September 1, 1937 – July 23, 2017) was an American best known for his years as a bootlegger or "moonrunner" (moonshine runner, "running" being a form of smuggling). Rushing was born into a family business making illegal whiskey.
- Overview
- Moonrunners (1975) and The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1985)
- Further reading
- External links
(September 1, 1937 - July 23, 2017; Monroe, North Carolina) is an American best known for his years as a bootlegger or "moonrunner" (moonshine runner).
was born into a family business making illegal whiskey. As a young man he became a delivery driver, a job requiring late-night high-speed driving, often without headlights; for this he used a modified 1958 Chrysler 300D capable of 140 mph (225 km/h) speeds, easily more than most police vehicles, which he nicknamed Traveler (one L), after Robert E. Lee's favorite horse Traveller (two Ls). The car was eventually abandoned when it ran out of gas during a chase, sold from a police impound into the private collector's market, and has since been restored by Laurence Wolfel.
Rushing eventually turned to a career in stockcar racing. Among the drivers he raced were Junior Johnson, himself a former moonrunner, and Wendell Scott. Rushing allegedly invented or perfected maneuvers known to stunt drivers today such as the "bootleg" or "180", which requires defeating the emergency brake ratchets in order to lock the wheels for a spin.
Early in his career Rushing performed stunt work.
•Uncredited Bodyguard from Moonrunners Film (1975)
•Ace Parker from The Dukes of Hazzard TV Series, Season 1, Episode 4: Repo Men
Doing research for a movie, producer Gy Waldron obtained an oral history from Rushing. Waldron would later use these interviews, along with his own experiences growing up in Kentucky, as material for the 1975 B-movie Moonrunners, and then as the basis for the TV series The Dukes of Hazzard. Rushing was not credited for the biographical details he claims were recreated in both works, and sued for royalties, receiving an undisclosed settlement.
Rushing claims thirteen characters from the film or series were modeled on himself or people he knew, including:
•He was the inspiration for Bo Duke
•His Uncle Worley was the inspiration for Uncle Jesse Duke / Jesse Hagg
ISBN 1-58063-038-3 covers the Waldron/Rushing feud in detail
Created by Gy Waldron in collaboration with ex-moonshiner Jerry Rushing, this movie shares many identical and very similar names and concepts with the subsequent TV series. Although itself essentially a comedy, this original movie was much cruder and edgier than the family-friendly TV series that evolved from it.
Feb 1, 2005 · The wild experiences of Jerry Rushing’s life gave rise to The Dukes of Hazzard, the smash hit TV series that has become a phenomenon around the world. But Jerry’s life was no comedy. He was filled with anger and desperation, yet he yearned for peace and purpose.
Jul 23, 2017 · Jerry Elijah Rushing (September 1, 1937 – July 23, 2017) was an American best known for his years as a bootlegger or "moonrunner" ( moonshine runner, "running" being a form of smuggling ). Rushing was born into a family business making illegal whiskey.
Jan 24, 2022 · The Great Story of Jerry Rushing: The Real Life Duke of Hazzard - YouTube. Cherie Martin. 1.64K subscribers. Subscribed. 28. 960 views 2 years ago. Cherie Martin produced Interview with Freddy...
- 35 min
- 961
- Cherie Martin
People also ask
Who was Jerry Rushing?
What happened to Jerry Rushing in the Dukes of Hazzard?
Did Jerry Rushing own a Chrysler 300D?
According to Top Speed, Jerry Rushing, a bootlegger, owned a customized Chrysler 300D named “Traveler” in honor of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s horse.
