Stunt Actor Resume Examples & Tips

Stunt actors bring action to life on screen by performing high-risk physical sequences such as fight scenes, vehicle chases, fire stunts, and wire work. Unlike traditional actors, their craft is built on physical training, precision, and safety discipline.

The challenges are unique: stunt performers must maintain peak physical fitness, master specialized skills (martial arts, gymnastics, weapons), and execute dangerous moves while ensuring safety on set. Every audition also comes with the expectation of showcasing a stunt reel rather than a traditional acting portfolio.

That’s why a stunt actor resume is so important. It’s not about long lists of dialogue-heavy credits — it’s about proving skills, certifications, and safety records. Casting directors and coordinators want to know if you’re reliable, properly trained, and capable of executing the stunts their project demands.

In this guide, you’ll find:

• Focused resume examples (stunt actor, stunt double, fight coordinator).
• The key resume sections that matter most in stunt work.
• Essential keywords, action verbs, and certifications to highlight.
• Quick tips on showcasing your stunt reel, safety record, and specialized training.

Stunt Actor Resumes

Stunt Actor Resume Template

Why This Resume Is Good:

• Clear Summary Statement: The opening summary quickly establishes years of experience, areas of expertise (martial arts, physical conditioning), and a safety-first mindset — exactly what casting directors look for in stunt performers.
• Strong Skills Section: Lists a mix of technical stunt skills (fire burns, high falls, parkour) and safety protocols, showing range and professionalism.
• Relevant, Progressive Experience: Work experience moves from stunt performer to stunt double to assistant stunt coordinator, demonstrating growth and increasing responsibility.
• Added Credibility with Certifications & Awards: CPR/First Aid certification and a festival award strengthen credibility and highlight safety awareness, which is crucial for stunt work.

Stunt Actor Resume Example | Text Sample

Why This Resume Example Is Good:

• Clear, one-page structure that makes it easy for casting directors and stunt coordinators to scan quickly.
• Skills and safety training are highlighted early, showing martial arts, driving, wire work, fire stunts, and CPR/First Aid certification.
• Strong credits from recognizable productions (Fast & Furious, John Wick, Game of Thrones) add instant credibility.
• Demo reel link is included, giving direct proof of stunt abilities, which is essential in this industry.

Fight Coordinator Resume Template

Why This Resume Is Good:

• Focused Summary: Clearly highlights expertise in designing and executing fight sequences while emphasizing safety and collaboration — exactly the blend casting directors and producers want.
• Relevant Career Progression: Experience moves from assistant fight coordinator to lead fight coordinator, showing growth and leadership in choreography and safety management.
• Extra Value with Volunteer Experience: Listing volunteer choreography projects reinforces passion for the craft and adds credibility, even outside professional work.
• Clean, Modern Layout: Side panel for contact and skills keeps the document easy to scan, while main sections (experience, education, certifications) are presented in a logical flow.

Fight Coordinator Resume Example | Text Sample

Why This Resume Example Is Good:

• It opens with a professional summary that instantly tells casting directors and producers who Marcus is, what he does, and why he matters.
• The Areas of Expertise section highlights technical and creative strengths in a way that’s specific to fight coordination, not generic.
• Credits are organized by Film, Television, and Theater, which makes it easy for a reader to connect his skills to the type of project they’re hiring for.
• Training and certifications show a commitment to safety and professional standards, which is critical in roles involving staged violence.

Stunt Double Resume Template

Why This Resume Is Good:

• Professional Growth Path: Moves clearly from trainee to performer to stunt double, showing steady career progress and increasing responsibility.
• Safety + Collaboration Focus: Repeatedly highlights working with stunt coordinators, assessing setups, and ensuring safe execution — exactly what producers want.
• Balanced Skills & Certifications: Lists both high-impact stunt skills (fire stunts, wire work) and essential safety certifications (First Aid, CPR, High Falls), proving technical and safety readiness.
• Modern, Eye-Catching Design: Clean layout with sidebars for contact, summary, and skills makes it easy to scan, while keeping the main focus on work experience.

Stunt Double Resume Example | Text Sample

Why This Resume Example Is Good:

• Realistic and Specific Credits: Includes actual-sounding productions (Netflix, Marvel, Paramount) instead of generic placeholders, which adds credibility.
• Skill-Driven Focus: Highlights technical stunt skills (high falls, wire work, fire burns, fight choreography) that casting directors and coordinators immediately look for.
• Safety & Certifications: Showcases essential safety training and SAG-AFTRA membership, reassuring employers about professionalism and compliance.
• Balanced Presentation: Combines high-profile credits with commercials and training, showing versatility across film, TV, and advertising.

What Hiring Managers Look For in a Stunt Actor’s Resume

1. Specialized Skills & Training
   • Martial arts, gymnastics, parkour, high falls, wire work, weapon handling, driving skills, etc.
   • Certifications (fight choreography, weapons safety, scuba diving, stunt driving).
   • Whether you can perform specific stunts safely and convincingly.
2. Experience & Credits
   • Prior film, TV, theater, or live performance stunt experience.
   • Specific productions, directors, or stunt teams you’ve worked with.
   • Reel links (video demo is often as important as the resume itself).
3. Physical Attributes
   • Height, weight, body type (important for doubling actors).
   • Agility, endurance, flexibility.
4. Safety Awareness
   • Any training in first aid, CPR, rigging, or OSHA-like safety certifications.
   • Shows you value controlled risk, not recklessness.
5. Professionalism & Reliability
   • Membership in stunt associations or unions (if applicable).
   • References from stunt coordinators or directors.
   • Reputation for discipline, teamwork, punctuality.

How To Write Resume Summary For Stunt Actor

A resume summary is your opening pitch — 2–4 sentences that show casting directors and stunt coordinators your skills, experience, and safety record. Unlike traditional acting resumes, stunt summaries focus on physical training, martial arts, certifications, and stunt experience rather than dialogue-heavy credits.

Here are role-specific examples:

Example 1: Stunt Actor Resume Summary

“Professional stunt actor with 6+ years of experience performing fight scenes, wire stunts, and fire sequences in feature films and TV. Skilled in martial arts, parkour, and stage combat with a proven safety record across 50+ productions.”

Example 2: Stunt Double Resume Summary

“Experienced stunt double specializing in high-impact action sequences and precision choreography. Successfully doubled for lead actors in 20+ productions, including vehicle chases, falls, and weapon-based combat, while maintaining 100% accident-free performance.”

Example 3: Fight Coordinator Resume Summary

“Fight coordinator with a decade of experience designing and choreographing complex combat scenes for film and stage. Trained in multiple martial arts disciplines, weapon handling, and wire work. Recognized for creating visually compelling sequences while ensuring cast and crew safety.”

What to Write in Skills For Stunt Actor Resume

For stunt actors, the skills section is often more important than formal education. Casting directors and coordinators want to see the physical abilities, stunt specialties, and safety training that prove you can perform dangerous sequences reliably.

Pro Tip: Instead of listing every skill you have, highlight the ones most relevant to the specific production you’re applying for. For example, a superhero film may prioritize wire work and fight choreography, while a commercial might need vehicle stunts.

What Certifications To Include In Stunt Actor Resume

In stunt acting, certifications carry more weight than degrees. They show you’ve been trained in safety protocols, specialized stunt techniques, and physical disciplines. Always place these credentials prominently on your resume.

Common & Valuable Certifications for Stunt Actors

• SAG-AFTRA Stunt Safety Training – Industry-standard safety training for union stunt performers.
• Martial Arts Black Belts – Karate, Judo, Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA (specify rank and style).
• Gymnastics or Acrobatics Certifications – Professional training in tumbling, aerials, and flips.
• Scuba Diving Certification (PADI, NAUI) – Required for underwater stunt work.
• Professional Driver’s License / Stunt Driving Certification – Specialized training for high-speed chases, precision driving, and vehicle flips.
• Firearms & Weapons Training – Safe handling of swords, guns, and prop weapons.
• First Aid & CPR Certification – Always valued for safety assurance on set.

Example Entries

Certified Stunt Performer – SAG-AFTRA Stunt Safety Program
Completed: 2022 – Los Angeles, CA

Black Belt, 2nd Dan – Taekwondo
American Martial Arts Federation – 2021

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
Professional Association of Diving Instructors – 2020

High-Performance Stunt Driving Course
Rick Seaman’s Stunt Driving School – 2019

Pro Tip: If you’re new, highlight recent certifications first — coordinators prefer fresh, up-to-date training over older or expired credentials.

How To Show Work Experience In Stunt Actor Resume

Unlike traditional acting resumes, a stunt actor’s experience should emphasize productions worked on, stunts performed, and proof of safety. Casting directors want to know you’re reliable under pressure, skilled in diverse stunt work, and experienced on professional sets.

Example 1: Stunt Actor

Example 2: Stunt Double

Example 3: Fight Coordinator

Tips for Stunt Work Experience:

• List productions by title (film, TV, or live show) instead of just employers.
• Emphasize safety record — accident-free history builds trust.
• Quantify (e.g., number of stunts performed, productions worked on, height of falls, years of experience).
• Include specialty stunts like fire burns, underwater, or vehicle chases.

Resume Keywords for Stunt Actors

Use these Resume Keywords throughout your skills section, work experience, and summary so your resume matches casting calls and ATS searches:

• Fight scenes
• Stunt coordination
• Wire stunts
• Martial arts
• Stage combat
• Action choreography
• Fire stunts
• Vehicle stunts / stunt driving
• High falls
• Weapons handling
• Parkour / acrobatics
• Motion capture
• Underwater stunts
• Safety compliance
• Stunt reel / demo reel

Action Verbs for Stunt Actor Resumes

Start each bullet point with a strong action verb to make your resume more dynamic and results-focused:

4 Tips to Optimize Your Stunt Actor Resume

1) Use the right keywords & action verbs

• Keywords: fight scenes, wire stunts, fire stunts, vehicle stunts, stage combat, stunt coordination, safety compliance, motion capture
• Action verbs: executed, performed, choreographed, coordinated, ensured, maintained, trained
• Mirror the call sheet: if the brief stresses wire + falls, surface those first in Summary and Skills.

2) Quantify skill + safety (not just duties)

• Add numbers: “High falls up to 30 ft,” “20+ fight scenes,” “10 productions with fire stunts.”
• State outcomes: “Zero-incident record across 50+ sequences,” “Completed 3 multi-cam fight units on schedule.”
• Put stunt reel link in the header; ensure it works on mobile and desktop.

3) Avoid common mistakes

• Don’t bury safety: lead with certifications (SAG-AFTRA safety, First Aid/CPR, belts, PADI, stunt driving).
• Don’t overstuff: keep it one page, 3–5 bullets per role, no graphics/tables that break ATS.
• Don’t be vague: replace “helped with stunts” with specific stunt types + metrics.

4) Format for scanability & polish

• Structure: Header (contacts + reel) → Summary → Skills/Specialties → Certifications → Selected Credits/Experience.
• Fonts: Arial/Calibri 10–12 pt, consistent spacing; export as PDF; file name like FirstLast_StuntActor_Resume.pdf.
• Proofread: verify names, dates, stunt types, units (ft/m); test every link; do a quick peer review.

Cover Letter For Stunt Actor Resume

Conclusion

A strong stunt actor resume is less about dialogue-heavy credits and more about proving skills, certifications, and safety discipline. Casting directors and stunt coordinators want performers who can execute demanding stunts while maintaining professionalism and reliability.

Keep your resume short, skill-focused, and safety-driven — highlight your stunt reel, accident-free record, and specialized training. Whether you’re a stunt actor, stunt double, or fight coordinator, showing the right mix of technical ability and safety awareness will set you apart.

👉 Looking for a broader guide to acting resumes? Check out our complete Actor Resume Examples & Writing Guide.