Tell about yourself and your background! *
After I got out of the military I became a police officer. I did that for 7 years then I switched over to the fire department. I eventually retired from there as a captain. During the 90’s I became a professional wrestler. I was offered a developmental contract with the WWF (now called WWE) and was doing pretty good until I broke my leg in the ring one night. That ultimately ended my wrestling career. Pretty much everything in my life prepared me for a career as a stunt performer.
What inspired you to become a stunt performer?
When I was around 6 years old my mom and stepdad took me to a place in North Carolina called Ghost Town. They had a Wild West gunfight show in the street right in front of the visitors. I was smart enough to know they weren’t really shooting each other, but I couldn’t figure out how the guys were falling off the buildings and horses without getting hurt. My stepdad explained to me they were stuntmen. The same kind of guys we saw in movies and tv shows. I was so blown away by it that I told my parents that I was “going to be a stuntman” when I grew up. Although I never truly grew up, I did get to become a stunt performer.
What is your greatest skill as a stunt performer, is there a stunt behind it?
If I’m being totally honest, I’m not great at anything. I do feel as though I’m pretty good at a few things. Driving has always been one of my better skills. I received a lot of training driving all sorts of vehicles in the military. I also had to do special driving training for nearly 30 years as a police officer and as a firefighter. After I trained at Rick Seaman’s school several years ago, I felt very confident behind the wheel doing just about anything.
What is the best part about being a stunt performer?
I’m living out my childhood dream. How many people do you know that can truly say that?
Tell your all-time favorite stunt story!
Right after The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke came out, a buddy of mine asked me to go see it with him so I could tell him how realistic it was. After the movie, we were talking about the movie. At some point I said out loud how cool it was to see Mickey on the screen again and how much I’d like to work with him someday. About two months later I was asked to be in a music video for John Rich. I was familiar with Big & Rich and was just happy to be working so I said I’d do it. After I agreed to do it I was told it was being shot like a movie and Mickey Rourke and Kris Kristofferson were the stars of it. I was being hired to do a little fight scene with Mickey. I spent a whole day in Nashville hanging out with Mickey, Kris, and John Rich. Mickey and I talked for a few hours about his experience preparing for The Wrestler. He was a really cool guy.
What advice would you give other stunt performers?
Two things: number one is leave your ego and bad attitude at home when you show up to hustle or work. If you’re fortunate enough to be hired it’s because the coordinator felt you were qualified to do the job. Don’t piss everyone off by trying to tell them why you belong on set. Shut up and show them. Number two is be honest. Don’t tell me you can do something if you can’t do it or you’ve never done it before. The time to learn how to do something is not on the day we’re filming it. I will never hire someone again if they do that to me. Ever!
Anything else you'd like to tell the community about?
People want to work with people they like. Every time you talk crap about someone, it never stays between you and the person you were talking to. Eventually you’ll get a reputation as an asshole and no one wants to work with an asshole. Be polite. Be professional. Be quiet.
Please share your social media handles and how we can follow you!
https://www.facebook.com/rjasonbenjamin
