In the iconic Back to the Future franchise, Marty McFly famously altered history. Now, actress Darlene Vogel is setting the record straight about a persistent rumor surrounding the 1989 sequel's most dangerous scene.
Vogel, who portrayed villainess Leslie "Spike" O'Malley in Back to the Future II, recently revealed the truth behind the hoverboard chase sequence where Griff's gang pursues Marty McFly through futuristic Hill Valley. The climax sees the antagonists crashing spectacularly into the town's clocktower.
Jason Scott Lee, Ricky D. Logan, Thomas F. Wilson, and Darlene Vogel. Ralph Nelson/Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett
"What surprises me is how many fans don't realize it was my stunt double who got injured in that crash," Vogel explained on The Patrick LabyorSheaux podcast. "People see it on Facebook and think it was me—some even believed I died."
Stunt performer Cheryl Wheeler survived the accident but suffered severe injuries including multiple facial fractures, a broken arm, and a concussion. Her recovery spanned two years and required four reconstructive surgeries.
According to Wheeler's 2015 account, the stunt was designed for the actors to crash through a candy-glass window and land safely on padding. However, during execution, the four stunt doubles veered left unexpectedly.
Stunt double Cheryl Wheeler can be seen falling in the scene. Universal Pictures
Positioned on the far left, Wheeler collided with a structural column. Compounding the danger, all performers were tethered together—when released simultaneously, Wheeler fell approximately 20 feet onto concrete. This harrowing take was ultimately used in the final film.
"If you pause the movie at that moment," Vogel noted, "you can see her hit the pole and plummet."
Decades later, the misconception persists—even affecting co-star Michael J. Fox. Vogel recounted meeting Fox in New York post-COVID: "He asked, 'Didn't you get hurt?' I had to clarify it was my stunt double, Cheryl."
The full interview detailing this behind-the-scenes revelation is available on The Patrick LabyorSheaux podcast.
