Ted Mapes was born on a Nebraska wheat ranch. His father, John H. Mapes, also had cattle, horses, and mules. When Ted was in his 20s, he traveled west to California, where he worked driving a truck in the Signal Hills oil fields near Long Beach, then a moving van for a Los Angeles company. While moving John Barrymore's baggage and equipment from the United Artists studios to Barrymore's home, Ted met a "grip" boss, Alex Hume. That meeting led to Ted's first film job as a grip boss on La mégère apprivoisée (1929). He was later head grip on Tom Mix's last picture, Le cavalier miracle (1935), and on L'empire des fantômes (1935), in which Gene Autry had his first starring role. Ted had bit parts in many movies, primarily westerns. He appeared in at least 13 serials produced by Republic Pictures. He was also a top stuntman, and doubled Charles Starrett, Bruce Bennett and others. Ted bore a striking resemblance to Gary Cooper and doubled for Cooper in 17 films, beginning with Sergent York (1941) and including Le grand Bill (1945), L'Odyssée du docteur Wassell (1944), L'intrigante de Saratoga (1945), Les conquérants d'un nouveau monde (1947) and Le souffle sauvage (1953). He also doubled James Stewart in films from La flèche brisée (1950) through Bandolero! (1968). After retiring from acting in 1969, Ted worked for the American Humane Association as an advisor on films in which animals were used, such as Ben (1972) and Willard (1971). Ted was inducted into The Hollywood Stuntmen's Hall of Fame on September 18, 1978.