stunt double

Meaning

A skilled performer who takes the place of an actor to perform dangerous, difficult, or physically demanding scenes in a film or television show. They are styled to look exactly like the actor they are replacing from a distance or from behind.

Examples

• The lead actor did most of his own fights, but used a stunt double for the high falls.

  The lead actor did most of his own fights, but used a stunt double for the high falls.

• You can barely tell it's a stunt double because of the clever camera angles.

  You can barely tell it's a stunt double because of the clever camera angles.

• She posted a picture on Instagram posing next to her lookalike stunt double.

  She posted a picture on Instagram posing next to her lookalike stunt double.

• Being a stunt double requires incredible physical fitness and martial arts training.

  Being a stunt double requires incredible physical fitness and martial arts training.

• He started his Hollywood career as a stunt double before landing speaking roles.

  He started his Hollywood career as a stunt double before landing speaking roles.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The actor used a stunt replica for the car crash scene.

  ✓ The actor used a stunt double for the car crash scene.

  'Replica' is used for objects. For a person who replaces an actor in dangerous scenes, the correct term is 'stunt double' or 'stunt performer.'

• ✗ I need a stunt double to do my boring homework.

  ✓ I wish I had someone to do my boring homework for me.

  While sometimes used humorously, a 'stunt double' specifically replaces someone for physically dangerous or active tasks, not general chores or academic work.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The action star insisted on not using a ___ for the motorcycle chase.

  💡 The person who does dangerous scenes for an actor.

  Show answer

  stunt double

• If you look closely at the jump, you can see it's actually his ___.

  💡 A physical lookalike trained for action.

  Show answer

  stunt double