Stunt double - Definition

A stunt double is a type of body double, specifically, a skilled replacement used for dangerous film or video sequences, in movies and television, (such as jumping out of a building, jumping from vehicle to vehicle, or other similar actions), other sophisticated stunts such as fight sequences, or even in cases where an actor's age precludes highly physical activity.

The terms stunt double and body double can be used interchangeably for cases where special skills are needed, such as dancing, playing the piano, or competitive skiing.

"Stunt double" is not the exclusive province of humans; several canine actors are used as doubles, for example Enzo was the stunt double for his aging sire Moose on the sitcom Frasier. Soccer, the dog who portrayed Wishbone reportedly hates swimming and therefore had stunt doubles.

Stunt doubles are so commonly used in the visual entertainment media, that actors such as Jackie Chan become famous when they do most of their own stunts, often moving from character actor to Lead.

Stunt doubles should be distinguished from stunt performers, who perform stunts for the sake of the stunt alone, often as a career.