Stunt Performer Spotlight: Ramon Thomas

Tell about yourself, Ramon!

My name is Ramon Hernandez Thomas, I am AA & Hispanic.  I'm from Brooklyn, NY. Former Law Enforcement for seven-years both in field and in prison.

I am humble, attentive and I am a hard worker.  I am the type to listen and observe before I speak. My mindset is "grind as if everyday is day 1 no matter how many credits I have.  You will not outwork me!"

What inspired you to become a stunt person?

I've always wanted to work in the filming industry since I was a kid.  I know it sounds cliché, but I always said that I wanted to put smiles on people's faces with "action" or do "action stuff" and the fastest way to reach millions of people was television or big screen.

I'd practice all the "actions" from movies, not knowing it was called Stunts or doing stunts.  Plus everything in my head played like a action movie.

What is your greatest skill as a stunt performer, is there a story behind it?

My greatest skill is listening and being able to adapt to any situation.  Be a hard worker, be on time (meaning be early), listen and pay attention.

No matter how much talent you have, all of that is wasted if you can't follow directions.

What is the best part about being a stunt performer?

For me its being able to put that "WOW" factor on people's faces.  Whether its performing fire work, wire works, fights, etc... to then seeing the finished work inspire others.

Also, I learned how to open up and speak a little bit more.  I was never much of a "talker" - more of a "let my work/work ethics speak for itself."

What advice would you give other stunt people?

I would say be HUMBLE, be a hard worker, treat everyday as if its day 1 and YOU'RE the rookie, even with whatever talent you have.  Having that mindset will keep you focused.

You don't want to be cocky, or act like your better than everyone else, or step on people's toes to get ahead.  Like any job, there's someone better waiting and you can be replaced.

Anything else you would like to tell the community about?

I would say to the community, I would like to see more unity events.

Not just Stunt Hustling or same clicks.  You never know what people might be going through.  All it takes is meeting others or a conversation that can inspire/reignite a spark in someone.

Something about you can help someone going through something or needing help but don't know who to ask.  You never know the impact you can have in someone's life.

Be passionate, ambitious, humble, the hardest worker and kind to all, no matter how talented you are.

Remember you use to be on the other side of the fence once trying to get in the industry.

Tell your all-time personal favorite stunt story!

I remember doing a fight scene and the Stunt Coordinator and mentor wanted me to take the hit over this bench.  So, we do a rehearsal however, then bench does not budge at all for the finish he wanted so he asked me, "What do you think?  Think its going to move?"  I look at the bench, then I look at the coordinator and say, "It's going to move."

The scene comes up, I take the kick into the air, hit the bench, the bench shatters and all you can hear is the director saying "Holy sh*t!  That was awesome!"

Then says, "Damn, I didn't call cut, can we do it again!"

StuntPOC: https://stuntpoc.com/stunt-performer/ramon-hernandez-thomas/