Action-packed movies are some of the biggest box office hits of all time, but most viewers never stop to think about all the movie magic that goes into building such realistic action sequences. Top-notch editing might make it look like one star is doing all the running, jumping, and gun slinging, but in most cases it’s a talented stunt double.
These men and women get paid a lot to do the heavy lifting so famous actors don’t run the risk of seriously injuring themselves. According to one website, your average stunt double takes home between $62,000 and $70,000 per year. Experienced stuntmen and women, such as those who work on blockbuster hits, can bring home anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000, though that is not as common a salary. The hazardous nature of the job, combined with the demands of filming, make this a lucrative—yet difficult—profession.
If they do the job well, they can be sure to get hired back by one of the major movie studios like Disney or Universal. Once they form a relationship with a production company and find a star who’s their doppelganger, these action aficionados can’t be stopped.
