Stunt Legend: 50 Years of Defying Death

Buddy Joe Hooker, a veteran stunt performer and choreographer, boasts a career spanning over five decades, marked by extraordinary feats on wheels, horseback, and beyond. He co-curated the Criterion Channel's "Stunts!" collection, highlighting films that showcase the enduring tradition of risk-taking in cinema.

Hooker's work on "Death Proof" is a testament to his skill, but his career began much earlier, inspired by his stuntman father. He transitioned from acting to stunts in his early twenties, driven by a passion for challenging the impossible. He discusses his early days, where fear was less prominent than the pursuit of exciting stunts.

Reflecting on his career, Hooker notes the evolution of stunt work, from Westerns to high-impact car chases. He highlights films like "Bullitt" and "The French Connection" as early milestones, while crediting "To Live and Die in L.A." and "Ronin" for innovative car stunts. He also discusses his pioneering use of 'cannon rolls' in films like "McQ," a technique distinct from the barrel rolls claimed by "Casino Royale."

The film "Hooper," loosely based on Hooker's life and career, is seen as a rare cinematic portrayal of stunt performers' lives and work. Hooker also recounts his collaboration with Hal Needham, another stunt legend, detailing how their differing backgrounds and mutual respect fostered groundbreaking work, including the stunts for "Hooper" itself.