The actor was a famous barnstormer in his youth, performing stunts in small towns.

barnstormer 是由名词 barn（谷仓）和动词 storm（猛冲、突击）加上后缀 -er 构成的名词。barnstorm 原指飞行员在乡村地区进行特技飞行表演，后来引申为"巡回表演"的意思。barnstormer 指"巡回表演者"，特指在小城镇间巡演的特技演员或艺人。