Action movies are some of the highest-grossing box office hits of all time, but most movie-goers rarely stop to think about all the behind-the-scenes magic that goes into building realistic action sequences. Top-notch editing, coupled with great cinematography, might make it look like one star is doing all the running, jumping, and shooting, but in the majority of cases, it’s a talented stunt double.
These women and men get paid the big bucks to take the fall so that famous actors don’t run the risk of seriously injuring themselves. According to one website, the average stunt double takes home anywhere between $62,000 and $70,000 per year. Experienced stuntpeople, such as those who work on blockbuster hits, can even bring home anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000 per gig. The hazardous nature of the job, combined with the demands of filming, make this a lucrative—yet risky—profession.
If they do the job well, they can be sure to get hired back by one of the major movie studios like Universal or Disney. Once they form a relationship with a production company, and find a star who’s their doppelganger, these action aficionados can’t be stopped.