Career Overview

Stunt performers (also called stunt actors or stunt doubles) perform physically demanding and often dangerous sequences for film, television, and commercials, including falls, fights, car chases, fire burns, and high falls. They work closely with stunt coordinators, directors, and safety riggers to plan and rehearse sequences that look convincing on camera while minimizing risk of injury. Many specialize in specific skills such as martial arts, precision driving, high falls, wirework, or fire work, and are often hired to double for a specific actor, matching their build and movement style.

Salary Range (US, estimates)

Key Statistics

Education Paths

• Required minimum: No formal degree required — Most stunt performers enter through athletic, martial arts, gymnastics, or military backgrounds rather than academic degrees.
• Most common: Specialized athletic/stunt training — Years of training in gymnastics, martial arts, diving, or precision driving, often combined with stunt school programs and mentorship under working stunt performers.
• Accelerator: SAG-AFTRA membership & stunt coordinator network — Union membership, professional certifications (rigging, fire safety, driving), and relationships with stunt coordinators significantly boost job access.

Core Skills

• Martial arts and combat choreography
• Precision driving
• High falls and wirework
• Fire and explosion safety
• Physical fitness and body control
• Risk assessment and safety protocol knowledge

Pros

• Exciting, physically engaging work
• Variety of projects across film, TV, and commercials
• High camaraderie within stunt community
• Potential for high pay on major productions

Cons

• High physical risk and injury potential
• Inconsistent, freelance-based work
• Demanding physical training required to stay competitive
• Growing competition from CGI and digital doubles

AI Impact on This Career

AI-driven CGI, digital doubles, and motion capture are replacing some stunt work, especially for high-risk or repetitive sequences. However, physical stunts requiring real bodily performance, timing, and camera-ready authenticity still rely heavily on human performers.

Automation exposure: Digital de-aging, CGI-enhanced falls, virtual stunt previsualization, and background/crowd action sequences are increasingly automated or simulated digitally, reducing demand for some background stunt work.

The human edge: Genuine physical risk, real-time reaction to unpredictable variables, authentic camera-captured motion, and the visceral realism audiences respond to cannot be fully replicated by CGI without significant cost and effort.

Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current data with BLS.gov.