Tell about yourself and your background! *
I must admit that for being THE MOST boring person in the world, I have done some of the most amazing, exciting and awesome things that normal people only dream about. My stunt career started as a toddler; I wanted to climb everything and/or hang upside down off anything from the top of a swing-set to a three story balcony. I did other stupid things like climbing our tallest tree, jumping to the roof, then either jumping back to the tree or jump from the roof to the ground. These daring feats were not without injury. Ramping a baby buggy cost me a whole fingernail, broken collar bone, scrapes, bruises and a concussion. Trying to ride the garage door down also gave me a concussion. I was a daredevil child and always tried to keep up with my big brother who was extremely athletic; strong, fast and always tried to ditch me. Because of my brother, I developed strength, speed, and determination. These early experiences were probably a good basis for what was to come. I grew up having a passion for horses and would actually pretend to be a horse. Setting up jumps (cardboard boxes and garbage cans) that I made higher and higher would keep me entertained all afternoon. Besides loving all sports and horses, my other love was dance. Ballet gave me a sense of flying because I could jump (jete’) so high; modern, tap, jazz and belly dancing were just plain fun. Dance led to gymnastics that was even more fun. But then rodeo took priority; barrel racing, pole bending, steer un-decorating, goat tying, break-away calf roping and eventually sneaking off to all-girl rodeos for bull riding and bareback bronc riding. After college, I became a lab rat in my own federally approved, biological control quarantine laboratory at Texas A&M University. My job was to test imported “good” insects against destructive insects to see if the good insects could destroy the bad ones. This is biological instead of chemical control. Since some of the insects only had a 24 hour life span, I was spending my life in the lab (thus the title lab rat). After two years, I was ready for a change. Looking through the help-wanted ads in the Dallas paper, I saw a post for rough riders. When I called, the man I talked to tried to brush me off by saying that he needed people who could really ride. I told him that I had rodeoed most of my life, including bull riding and bareback broncs. He asked how soon I could get there. So, I moved to Dallas and met a group of western re-enactors. We did live shows and I learned stunt basics, fighting, partial burns and low falls. I was having a great time but not making a living. While channel surfing one night, I saw The Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling on TV. Those girls were awesome, and I said to myself, I can do that! I sent my H&R to Las Vegas and three days later I was called by the director and asked to go to Vegas for an audition. Three weeks later I was Tulsa, The High Riding Cowgirl of GLOW, the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. We were a syndicated TV show and we toured all over the United States and overseas. We were guests on the Phil Donahue Show, Card Sharks and other TV and game shows. GLOW stopped filming in1990, but still toured for another year. I returned home to Houston and visited the set of a local movie being shot with a friend who was working as an extra. He pointed out the Stunt Coordinator, David “Stutter” Sanders, who asked me about my background. When I told him that I was a rodeo cowgirl (including bulls and bareback broncs) gymnastics, belly dancing, and GLOW wrestling, he immediately asked me to join the Houston Stuntmen’s Association. I was the only girl and I loved getting to do everything and was considered one of the boys.
What inspired you to become a stunt performer?
Anytime I saw action being performed by someone else, I wanted to do it, too. Having natural physical abilities (inherited from my athletic family), I knew that I would be able to if I had the chance. When The Fall Guy came on TV, I was jealous of their stuntwoman, Jody. I had the name Jody and long blonde hair, and I knew that I could do her stunts. The more I watched, the more I was hooked.
What is your greatest skill as a stunt performer, is there a stunt behind it?
I love all the stunt action and I am very comfortable doing everything as long as I know exactly what is expected of me before, during and after the action. For me, stunt fighting and fight choreography are my strong suits. Obviously, being a lady wrestler was a plus for fighting, but I believe that good, natural dancers make the best stunt performers.
What is the best part about being a stunt performer?
I love being part of the stunt team. There is so much trust between us and knowing that we have each other’s six. No one thinks twice about putting their life on the line if needed but that safety always comes first. Of course, there are perks like body burns, high falls, car crashes, window crashes, stair falls, and fights. Then there are unexpected perks like getting bitten on the neck by Armand Asante, getting set on fire by Matthew McConaughey or getting carried out of a burning barn by Javier Bardem.
Tell your all-time favorite stunt story!
I have several stories, but my favorite is from The Locusts being run by the legendary Chris Howell. I was a near-perfect stunt double for Kate Capshaw thanks to the hair, makeup and wardrobe departments. Mr. Howell was very concerned with Ms. Capshaw’s wardrobe, especially the bedroom slippers; I thought this was rather odd. When I came out of wardrobe in flimsy slippers, he went ballistic on me and the wardrobe lady. I was so terrified that I hid in the woods around the set where I could see and hear him but he couldn’t see me. I am such a coward. Earlier, I was just standing around when Ms. Capshaw’s husband, Steven Spielberg, came up and started talking to me; I had no idea what he was talking about. Then I realized that he thought I was his wife. Giggling like an idiot, I told him that his wife was still in makeup. Mr. Spielberg was shocked. When Kate walked up, they both started giggling at the misidentification. What an adorable couple. When my stunt came up, Mr. Howell was happy with my slippers and explained that Ms. Capshaw was pregnant and no one knew. He was worried that the she might fall in the mud if she wore the pretty, flimsy slippers. I have such admiration and respect for the professionalism and heart of Mr. Chris Howell.
What advice would you give other stunt performers?
In the words of the late, great, legendary Jock Mahoney, “ If in doubt, don’t.” His advice goes hand in hand with my words to live by: go with your gut. For those just starting out, constantly getting injured is not a badge of honor, it’s proof if inexperience. My last piece of advice is to not brag about being a daredevil. Daredevils are a danger to themselves and the professional stunt people around them and you probably won’t get the job.
Anything else you'd like to tell the community about?
My advice is for those just starting out. It’s not real! Don’t try to copy what you see on the screen because that is movie magic (especially when working with fire). Also, don’t let anyone hurt you. Our job is not to get hurt but to get the action done safely and going home at the end of the day.
Please share your social media handles and how we can follow you!
I am very low-tech and can be found on Facebook.
Please include any links to stunt reels or videos you'd like to share!
Just type in Jody stunt reel on Google or you tube.
