25 Celebrity Stunt Doubles That Will Make You Do a Double Take
The point of a stunt double is to stand in for a famous movie star without the audience knowing. They have been professionally trained over the course of years in safety techniques that allow them to perform those kick-butt fight scenes or crazy action shots that would otherwise be too dangerous for someone with limited practice (or given only a few safety tips right before the stunt).
Not only do they perform these death-defying stunts, but they don't get paid anywhere near the millions that famous stars who lead these feature films do. Plus, they don't even have their own Academy Award category! Every year, a vote among academy members is taken on whether or not to add an award for stunt coordinators, and every year the result is the same. No.
So we thought that we would celebrate some stunt doubles for the work that they do! As part of that, stunt doubles are often chosen for their resemblance to the actor they are standing in for. Sometimes a little makeup and wig work is in order. But with these 25 stunt performers, even when they are standing side by side with their lead actor counterparts, it's hard to tell the two apart! Even if they are different genders!
Carrie Fisher & Sandi Gross
Did you know...
- While attending the Grammys in February 2000, Jennifer Lopez stepped out in a green Versace dress that instantly became a phenomenon. The barely-there ensemble had a dramatically low cut that came below JLo’s belly button. It became such a talking point that it was Google’s most popular search query up to that point, and it spurred the company to include images into search results. It became the motivation for Google Images.
- In the summer of 2007, Joh Hamm became a household name when Mad Men premiered to critical acclaim and strong ratings. Just over a year and a half later, Ellie Kemper stole America's hearts (and Dwight's and Andy's) when she became the new receptionist on The Office. Before they were famous, Hamm was Kemper's high school drama teacher!
- In February 2020, Jeff Bezos bought the most expensive property in California: a $165 million mansion. It was designed for Jack Warner (the former president of Warner Bros. entertainment company). It took a decade to construct (spanning the 1930s and 40s). It comes complete with 9 acres of Beverly Hills land, a main house, a guest house, a tennis court, a golf course, and terraces.
- Björk created a media sensation when she wore her iconic white swan dress to the 2001 Oscars. At the time, many derided it as hideous and a publicity stunt, but it has since gone down as one of the most memorable dresses of all time—even if it isn't exactly beloved. She says David Bowie was the inspiration behind the dress.
- Jackie Kennedy is famous for redecorating and renovating the interior of the White House. Actually, on just her first day, she ordered $50,000 in changes for new rooms for the children and upgrades to the kitchen. She later hosted a tour of the White House for CBS News which was viewed by 56 million people and won her an Emmy Award.