Tell about yourself and your background! *
I was born and raised in Philadelphia P.A.I grew up watching Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, Van Dam and Steven Segal films which definitely contributed to my love of Action movies and fight choreography, at an early age. Being a little wise ass Jewish kid growing up in Northeast Philly definitely gave me an appreciation and understanding of the "streets". My mom decided Karate would be my first experience in the Arts, which helped me out in more then one occasion, but also taught me discipline and respect at a young age. For that i am always grateful. Without the Wisdom, Support and Love from my mom, I would not have made it.I joined the Army right after Sept. 11th and did 2 tours in Iraq. Training in Army Combatives and Jiu Jitsu were part of our platoons Physical Training program before and during deployments. My love of Martial Arts Training, Fighting Techniques and other experiences found only in the Military would fuel my motivation and desire to pursue a Stunt Acting career after my service was complete. Stationed in Ft. Hood Texas i was struck by lightning standing on top of my Bradley Fighting Vehicle during training and was honorably discharged in 2010 after serving over 7 years as a Staff Sargeant. After my discharge from the military, I was in a horrible accident that dr's said i should not have survived, luckily i have a Guardian Angel who works overtime. I decided then, while I sat confined to hospital bed with broken ribs and a broken collar bone, that life is too short to live in fear and that I was gonna pursue all the passions I have in my life. I healed up and moved to Arizona where i trained and worked as a Wildland Firefighter. Those years of training and working in that industry would put me in the best condition, mentally and physically, I could have imagined. It was around my 3rd season in Fire Fighting when I meet one of the strongest, kindest and Amazingly Talented Artist I have ever met, Arturo Valenzuela. I worked at his company, ValenzModa, as a model and talent relations learning under his mentorship Fashion Design and Acting. This again would only fuel the fire inside of me to become a Stunt Actor and work in the Entertainment Industry. The support and encouragement I received from family and friends, would give me the confidence to move to Los Angeles, California and experience the Hollywood lifestyle and grind that only it can offer. I attended the New York Film Academy in Bubank and learned to hone my craft in Acting and gave me my first taste of Stunt Training from one of the funniest and badass Stuntmen in the Industry, Jack Huang, who owns Stunts in Motion. Learning Fight Choreography, Tai Chi, Sword/Bow Techniques, Camera Angles, Proper Falling Techniques and getting to practice everyday for months under his guidance really set me up for success in future endeavors. As I was playing out the life of a starving actor in Hollywood I was studying physical fitness training under Chris Hitchko, owner of Show Up Fitness and doing Executive Protection work for different Security Agencies in L.A., which added more abilities and knowledge to my "toolbox". I would again be blessed by an opportunity of a lifetime when I was accepted by Jimmy Lifton to be a part of a Stunt Team Training Project at LIMS STUDIOS. There I had the honor of mentoring and learning under Profesional Stuntmen and Women like Esteban Cueto, Mark Musashi, Deven MacNair, Surawit Sae Kang (R.I.P.), Thekla Hutyrova and many more. Training in everything from Wirework to Air Rams to High falls and all the Fight Choreography with and without bladed, clubbed and Ballistic weaponry for 5 months, everyday. I was in Stunt Heaven🙏😊 The Stunt Team I had the opportunity to work with was one of the biggest blessings I could ever have asked for and gave me life long friends and family in the industry. After working on several films and commercials in Los Angeles I moved to Las Vegas where I trained under Doron Benbenisty who is the CEO and founder of CRI Counter Terrorism Training School learning the most advanced fighting, shooting and driving tactics i could find to integrate into my skill sets. Inspired by my passion for the Stunt Industry, Doron Co-founded with me under the CRI flagship "The Las Vegas Film and Stunt Academy" where we have had some of the best Stunt Professionals in the business share their experiences and knowledge with future Stuntmen and Women. We have had the honor of hosting such Amazing talents as Carl Ciarfalio, Steven Lambert, Rich Hopkins, Jon Capps, Matthew Modine and many others.
What inspired you to become a stunt performer?
Watching Actors like Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Jean Claude Van Dam, Steven Segal, Jackie Chan, Wesley Snipes and Jet Lee perform their fight Choreography and the Stunts done in their movies were incredibly influential on my inspiration and desire to become a Stunt performer, growing up. I love watching movies and being able to understand and appreciate the Stuntwork that goes into creating complex fight scenes, big explosions where people are hurled threw the air, threw windows and doors, falling off buildings and Epic Car Chases.
What is your greatest skill as a stunt performer, is there a stunt behind it?
I have trained and work at CRI Counter Terrorism Training School for the last 5 years so I am constantly using Martial Arts, Weapons Training and Tactical movement drills in my daily life. But in my opinion, my greatest skill is having extensive medical training so that if anyone was hurt on set, I have CPR/AED and Casualty Trama Training from the Red Cross, Firefighting and from the Army.
What is the best part about being a stunt performer?
Doing Epic Stunts that make peoples jaws hit the floor. Also meeting the Veterans of the Stunt Industry and future Stunt Professionals who have created and are creating heart racing adrenaline pumping Artwork on the big screen... the stories, experiences and knowledge of Stunt Professionals are Priceless!
Tell your all-time favorite stunt story!
The cast and crew from DARE TO LIVE with Rory Kramer shot episode 6 in Vegas and hired me and a few or my Instructors at CRI Counter Terrorism Training School to kidnap Martin Garrix and drive out to the Las Vegas desert for an EPIC Nerf Battle. I did 3 different Stunts in that episode including Stunt Driving, Hanging out of a Helicopter, and a Shooting battle. It's was Awesome.. Rory and Martin got to smash through 2 cars after going through our training and nobody got hurt.
What advice would you give other stunt performers?
Do your research prior to getting into this line of work. If you're not prepared to be in pain, break/dislocate any bones or bleed, don't bother. There are alot of fakes out there so be careful who you learn from and what the dangers are of doing different Stunts. Don't do anything you aren't absolutely sure you can do.. you could pay dearly.
Anything else you'd like to tell the community about?
Stuntwork is one of the most fun, dangerous, exhilarating and Coolest careers that exist in the world and its an honor to be a part of it but always have respect, discipline, and knowledge for this craft. When you stop having any of those 3 things, you could kill yourself or someone else.
Please share your social media handles and how we can follow you!
Facebook: Jeremy Harris
Instagram: Jeremyharris_psd.op_stuntact0r Instagram
Professional Page: @real_J.harris215LinkedIn: Jeremy Harris
