Dec 11 1933 – Dec 26, 2024 Sammy Thurman was a Charter Member and the first President of United Stuntwomen’s Association in 1984. She worked as a stunt double in over 20 movies, including “Hooper” and “The Blues Brothers.” Question: “Sam, did you ever refuse a stunt?” Sammy: “No.” Question: “Were you ever afraid?” Sammy: “Hell YES! I was doubling …
Gene LeBell
October 9, 1932 – August 9, 2022 https://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/gene-lebell-1932-2022-the-godfather-of-grappling-and-legendary-stuntman/ Gene LeBell was an avid supporter of USA Stunts and a member of Stunts Unlimited. Gene was a former judo/wrestling world champion and affectionately known as The Toughest Man Alive. Gene was a man who believed in equality and diversity, and had a huge heart. For many years Gene generously trained stunt …
Sonja Davis
June 1, 1962 – November 14, 1994 Sonja was an aerobics instructor and nutritionist in the late 1980s prior to being introduced to the stunt business by stunt coordinator, Greg Elam. Sonja began training regularly with Greg and his young sons Ousan, Kofi, and Kiante at his stunt training facility in South Central Los Angeles. As an avid sportswoman, she …
Svetla Krasteva
August 4, 1961 – February 9, 2003 At her full height, Svetla Krasteva was 2 inches shy of 5’ tall and weighed less than 90 pounds. In spite of her diminutive size, she could command a stadium with her boundless energy. Her talents and interests kept her in non-stop motion, which also made her an invaluable stunt performer. …
May Boss
United Stuntwomen’s Association Charter Member October 7, 1924 – September 16, 2015 Obituary Written by David Robb for Deadline.com May Boss, a legendary stuntwoman who doubled for Bette Davis, Rita Hayworth, Doris Day and Dorothy Malone, has died. She was 90 and had been in declining health since suffering a stroke in 2008. Boss, whose stunt career spanned over 50 …
Noby Arden
December 1, 1965 – September 28, 2020 Noby-Arden Kreisch was a fourth generation member of the famous Wallenda Circus Family, a Stuntwoman, Stunt Actress, and Stunt Coordinator. At the age of five, Noby began performing as a trapeze aerialist and acrobat. As a stuntwoman she specialized in high wire and acrobatics, and performed wire work stunts for many stars including …
Jeannie Epper
January 27, 1941–May 5, 2024 Jeannie Epper was a pioneering stuntwoman and actress best known for her work in films like “Romancing the Stone” and TV’s “Wonder Woman.” She had the heart and mind of a lion, fighting hard for stuntwomen’s rights and paving the way for so many women to enter the field of stuntwork. On a spiritual level, …