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My career as a stuntman and actor I had a fulfilling career that made the best use of my skills. But it is not a job for everyone. Think you want to do it? Fall off buildings, get set on fire, work with wild animals, get beat up and bruised, just to make someone else look good? So...you want to be a Stuntman!
What it takes to be a Stuntperson.
Being a stuntperson requires 4 major personal characteristics.
1. Physical dexterity. One must have a fit body that is flexable and tuned-up. Injuries are less likely to be severe or happen as often when the muscles are toned. Quick reflexes are part of the athletic abilities one should posses. This is possibly one of the most dangerous professions when something goes wrong. When it happens there is not enough time to think, reaction time can make the difference in a life or death situation.
2. Complete control of fear. There is nothing wrong with fear. It is a natural thought process of self preservation. It is not natural to allow ones self to be set on fire, or jump head first out of a window. Through training one learns how to do these things as safely as possible. Fear if not controlled may cause one to freeze up or panic. Both are capable of creating an avoidable disaster.
3. A high pain threshold. Cuts and bruises are part of the job. One must be able to ignore the pain to the point of forcing ones self to not limp from the pain of a sore muscle etc. The show must go on. Those who excel in the business are the ones who do not disappoint Directors by delay's caused by personal discomforts, or having to wait for a replacement.
4. You have to be crazy to want this job. The fame goes to the actor whose bruises you take. The work is seldom steady and the jobs are highly competetive. It is a profession for adrenaline junkies who would possibly be arrested if they did these stunts on their own. Where else can you drive like a maniac smashing cars, running red lights, speeding at over a hundred miles an hour, and not get arrested, lose your license, or have to pay increased insurance premiums. All while getting paid.
So you think you've got what it takes? Take martial arts and some gymnastic training. Get yourself into shape and then seek out a certified stunt school or a stuntperson who is willing to train you.
Register with your local talent agency, if there is one available, and do some extra's work. Or find a local theater group to join. You may also check with your local cable service. They may have local access shows that need help. This will give you some experience in the entertainment industry to put on your resume. Don't quit your job and move out to hollywood. It is extremely difficult to get a break there. Movies are made across the US. Chances are there will be one made near you. Learn to network and keep in touch. If your lucky you'll get that big break. But most important, have fun.
My career as a stuntman and actor
Movies, Television, Theater, and Wild West Shows.
FILM
Roads - Eagle Eye Films - Stunt coordinator, SFX, and the Lead Badguy. I got PAID to ride a motorcycle through the Black Hills, kill some people, do a couple of fight scenes, work with bears and rattlesnakes, and got thrown off a cliff.
Judgement Night - FOX - Hobo in boxcar w/Cuba Gooding Jr. {Before Jerry McGuire} Nice guy. Emilio Estevez was very down to Earth, and sociable. Even though I worked for a week most of the scenes were cut, {Hey, the pay was good and the food was excellent}.
Curly Sue - Warner Brothers - Stunt Hobo jumping on and off a moving train, Scene Cut, {it happens}. Remember how the movie started with Jim Belushi {who was a pleasure to work with} and Curly Sue arrived in a car on a train? We had two trains with crews, a complete shooting crew, about 30 extra's, a half dozen stuntmen and they shut down a Chicago train yard for a full day. They used Curly Sue's box of treasure's for the opening credits instead. That's showbiz.
Only the Lonely - WB - John Candy was very funny, fantastic with everyone, and HUGE. He looked smaller on film. I could hide 2 of my 6'1" bodies behind him. Maureen O'Hara was very kind. What a dame.
Rebel w/o a Clue - Clear Cut Prod. - Stunt actor based on an alcoholic James Bond type of character. Director insisted I drink the real thing. It sure is fun to get paid to drink and tear up a bar for a fight scene. The fight ended with me as the last man standing
Need VS Greed - Short Student Film. - Principle Male {OK I played a homeless street person}. My acting was convincing enough to several real street people that they told me where I could get a free hot meal. I pulled a fast one on the Director that almost gave him a stroke. On my way to the shoot I stopped by McD's and grabbed a couple of cheeseburgers. I wraped a half eaten leftover by crumpling up the wrapper and stuck it in my coat pocket. Much of my role was adlibbing. I strolled over to a garbage can and palmed the half eaten cheesburger. I pulled my hand out of the can unwrapped the CB and proceeded to wolf it down. I only wish there had been a camera on the Directors face.
Secret Wars - Nightscape Prod. - Played 3 different characters, did stunts, and some SFX. Through the Magic of film making in one scene I was shooting at myself. As another character {a wino} I got to do several different scenes. A struggle for a bottle of wine between myself and another stuntman had the crew in stitches. This was back in 1990. I introduced the use of a paintball gun loaded with deep red paintballs for SFX in Chicago as an alternative to bloodpacks
Cold Justice - Father Jim Prod. - 1st close-up and screen credit as an actor. The movie stared Rodger Daltry and Dennis Waterman. The Director had to come to my rescue when a couple of Chicago police officers mistook me for a real bum and thought I was stealing donuts
Flatliners - EEG Prod. - It was a pleasure to work with Joel Shoemocker and Keifer Sutherland. Joel had me pull a fast one on Keifer. Keifer and I had been talking just prior to his walking into the alley scene. Joel had me give Keifer a mean dirty look as he walked past me while the camera was trained on him for a close-up. Joel got the startled look he wanted. When I saw the scene his look said 'What did I say' to me.
TELEVISION
Angel Street - CBS - Crazy man in a straight-jacket. They really didn't pay me enough for that one. I was stuck in that damn thing for hours.
Mario and the Mob - NBC - Bookie. It was one of those paying your dues Extra roles. Long day, boxed lunch, and little pay.
Uncle Buck - CBS - Angry Cub Fan. I got to meet Harry Carry up in his anouncers booth.
Mary Thomas Story - ABC - Parent of a highschool basketball player. A chilly rainy day and the comfort of the Extras didn't seem to matter.
Howard Beach Story - ABC - News team cameraman. I had a good time as this was my first time as an Extra. Because of my height and build they made me a cameraman. This put me in close contact with the stars.
THEATER
Sabrina Fair - Dahl Theater - Fairchild, Sabrina's father. I never knew Comedy on stage could be that hard.
Romeo and Juliet - Dahl Theater - Tybalt. Had a great swordfight with another stuntman. We had the front row ducking as our rapiers cut the air above their heads. One night a little old lady screamed when I hit the stage after losing to Romeo. I loved working with a live audience.
Reception for Murder - I Love A Mystery Prod. Nick
Gamble with Death - I Love a Mystery Prod. Adam
Last Cruise to Nowhere - I Love a Mystery Prod. Masters
I Love a Mystery Productions is live interactive dinner theater, so I can't give away anything such as plots etc. ethic's just have to be followed. Besides playing the heavy I was also propman, stunt coordinator, and SFX Tech.
Wild West Show
Hill City Wild West Show - Outlaw, Shootist, Bankrobber-Stunt coordinator, SFX, and weapons trainer.
Out of everything I did as an actor nothing compared to the fun I had doing those shows. We worked the main street prior to the show. Interacting with tourists from around the world was priceless. One of the best things an actor can do is to bring enjoyment into peoples lives.
See Pictures page for a look at my outlaw character.
If you saw one of the shows from 93-95 you may have met or seen me.
I'm no longer a stuntman
I was a professional stuntman and aspiring actor performing in films, television productions, theater and a Wild West show from 1989 to 1996. While performing I also coordinated stunts, and started a stunt school. I was starting to succeed and had worked my way up the ladder to do what I really wanted, to play the lead bad guy people love to hate. That was the main reason why I became a stuntman. Bad guy's got the best stunts. They don't have to be handsome. As a certified stuntman I could do my own stunts.
I only had one opportunity to realize that dream in a movie. But I had the fun of playing the outlaw for thousands of tourists whom visited Hill City in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
In 1996 my career was cut short and my life was changed due to an automobile accident (a kamakazee deer on a mountain road) that left me a quadriplegic. It took a couple of years of recovery and recuperation to get my life adapted to the change. Now I'm writing, and a full time college student majoring in Computer Graphics. I managed to make the Dean's list even though I was never a very good student in high school, just goes to show what you can accomplish if you believe in yourself and have a dream. Challenge yourself, make your life your own, and don't be afraid live your dream.
I have no regrets and had a great time working with a lot of talented people. Life is full of change. One must adapt or fade away....
Email For Information About Getting Into Acting or Stunts:
iamstuntman@netscape.net
or
stuntman@comnetcom.net
Now I'm a student. Working towards tommorrow. And what the future will bring. |
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