Tell about yourself and your background! *
I was born in Orange, Texas and Raised in southwest Louisiana. I went to South Beauregard elementary through high school. Graduated from Northwestern State University with a theater degree. During college I took stage combat classes and also joined Main Event Wrestling where I was trained to be a professional wrestler. Wrestling played a huge part in my stunt journey as it taught me how to fall safely.
What inspired you to become a stunt performer?
I always loved action movies and action in movies for that matter. I was chasing the acting dream when I slowly started get stunt jobs. I feel in love with the work put into becoming a stuntman, the skills I’ve learned and the adrenaline from being on set and doing something that someone can’t or is afraid to do.
What is your greatest skill as a stunt performer, is there a stunt behind it?
Probably the ability to just go for it. Some stunts are easy yet not the most comfortable things in the world. If you hesitate or go easy you end up having to do it again and again. If you simply “send it” you normally get the shot in one or two takes. My very first time doing a dead man was on set and I’ll if heard was how bad they sucked. So I got in my vest, got rigged up and measured out the distance and timing for my fall. My coordinator told me to break the vest, the line, or the telephone pole I was attached to. So I tried. Needless to say none of those thing broke, we got the shot in two takes and it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting.
What is the best part about being a stunt performer?
The industry is full of people willing to train and show you new things. I went on a touring stunt show and was blown away at how many people were willing to take time out of their day to train and teach new things. I am no tricker, but came away with few new tricks. So I’d have to say the people.
Tell your all-time favorite stunt story!
I had a stunt where I had to jump off of a mini tramp into a tanning bed. At rehearsal there was padding on top of the tanning bed, but every time I landed the legs were shaking to an almost breaking point. A couple nights later we all went out to dinner. One of the stuntmen said “ok Luke we have a bet” I was like “ am I involved” he said “yeah but you don’t put any money up. We all put $20in a pot. If you break the tanning bed, you get all the money, but you gotta buy us a drink. If you don’t break the tanning bed we all get our money back…….and you buy us a drink.” I couldn’t help but laugh and said “sure”The day of the stunt I get hit set and start walking through the set and checking things out. I walk over to the tanning bed and notice that the legs of the tanning bed have been re-enforced with 2X4’s and I thought “looks like I’m buying drinks with my money.” Come the time of the stunt and I’m just focused not worrying about breaking it because it’s re-enforced and it’s just time to go to work. Action is called I bounce a few times on the tramp and go. I get about six foot above the tanning bed and front fall right into shattering the plexiglass top. Once cut was called a stuntman lying in a piano said “what happened?” I replied with a chuckle “I broke it” and the. You just hear “shit” come from this person in a broken piano. They start replacing the plexiglass for another take and all the stunt performers come over and start handing me twenty dollar bills. The coordinator walks over and asks what’s going on. We explained to him the bet. He said “oh ok” reached in his wallet and hands me a twenty then says “next time just settle up off set” smiles and walks away.
What advice would you give other stunt performers?
Don’t get discouraged by other fast success. It’s a long road for some. Sometimes you slip through the cracks. Just keeping climbing back out. Someone will see you.
Please share your social media handles and how we can follow you!
@lukesexton24
Please include any links to stunt reels or videos you'd like to share!
