Today we’d like to introduce you to Meredith Richardson.
Meredith, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a little girl, I had a ton of energy so my parents put me in gymnastics. I grew up competing gymnastics and loving it! When I was about ten years old, my dad asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up. I told him I wanted to compete gymnastics at the University of Alabama, and then probably coach gymnastics… because that’s just “what you do” after your gymnastics career. You compete as long as you can and then you coach. My dad’s response was that he had wanted to be a stuntman in the movies when he was growing up, but he didn’t know how to make that happen. As soon as he said that, it was like a light bulb came on… that was what I wanted to do when I grew up!
Because of injuries/multiple surgeries, my gymnastics career was cut short. My last competition was Junior Olympic Nationals in 2009. While I was a full-time college student at the University of Alabama and working two jobs, people would ask me what I was studying. I’d say, “Doesn’t matter because I’m going to be a stuntwoman one day. I just have to figure it out.” (You can imagine how people would look at me when I gave that answer!) I never gave up on that childhood dream.
I am from Alabama (which is why my nickname in the stunt world is “Bama”), and I did not know anyone in the film industry, so I had to figure it out by myself. In the summer of 2011 (at 20 years old), I decided to see if this “dream job” could actually become a reality. I researched online and found out that the film industry was really big in New Orleans at the time. After a trip to Louisiana and meeting a couple of stunt people, I spent the next six months driving back and forth from Tuscaloosa to New Orleans (four hours each way) every chance I got. I would go to any fight seminars, training sessions, and networking events that I could. I sought advice from the stuntmen and women that I met during those trips. I added boxing to my already very busy college schedule, in order to start training to be a stuntwoman. After my exams that semester, I knew it was time! (By the way, I was on the Dean’s List that semester!) I went to the office of the head of the department (my professor and advisor) and asked her why I should stay in school – because I really wanted to go and be a Hollywood stuntwoman. To my surprise, she told me to GO! She told me that I am very good at what I want to be good at, and I did not enjoy sitting in the classroom. So I called my parents, and within two weeks I had found a place to live in New Orleans on Craigslist! I dropped everything and moved there to pursue my dream career. The only people I knew were the stunt people I had met on my trips back and forth in the previous months. I think this proved that I was serious about my commitment to this.
I made it a rule to not have a backup plan, to not have a side job, and to struggle as long as it took for me to make it. I watched people who had a “plan B” take longer to achieve their goals, or give up on their goals because they were distracted and I was not going to let that be me! I made sure not to have a plan B no matter what… I was GOING to become a professional stuntwoman!
I spent the next four years in New Orleans training super hard, going to fight seminars and learning new skills at places like Rick Seaman’s stunt driving class, hustling (sneaking on movie sets to meet the stunt coordinators), making connections, and building my resume with different stunt jobs. When people ask how I got my name out there, I tell them that I attended every gathering of stunt people, every training session, every dinner that might include a stunt coordinator, and every seminar that I could… because any of those opportunities may lead to something big. I attended everything I possibly could that I was invited to because I wanted to prove to people that I was serious about stunts! It was exhausting and definitely took a toll on my personal social life, but it was worth it! In stunts, we don’t have agents, so all the responsibility to get our jobs in on the individual.
My first real stunt job was a day on the television show “Treme” and my first big movie opportunity was being a stunt performer on “Oblivion”, with Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman. My first huge on-location job was when I was flown to Boston to be Kate McKinnon’s stunt double in “Ghostbusters.” After those four months, I knew it was time to make a career move and relocate to either Los Angeles or Atlanta. At this time (2015), there was enough work in Atlanta and I had always wanted to end up there. Since I am from the South, I love that I get to live in a big city, doing my dream job, surrounded by good southern people! I live in midtown and absolutely love it here!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Because I was so young and naive and Southern and friendly, it was hard to be taken seriously at first. A 20-year-old bubbly blonde from Alabama in a career that’s dominated by men? Since the majority of us in stunts are high-level athletes at something, there are a lot of strong personalities and driven individuals. I had to convince people, especially the men, that I was serious about this career and was going to do it the right way. I wanted to be hired because of talent, a strong work ethic, set etiquette, and being fun to be around… a genuine presence. If your morals and habits don’t align with the Hollywood culture, you aren’t always popular. I just want to inspire people to be true to themselves and not compromise. It IS still possible to achieve their dreams. Everyone is special in his or her own way. If this little hyper Alabama girl can become a Hollywood stuntwoman, anyone can do anything! No dream is too “crazy” or unreachable.
Another “struggle” has been learning to be a corporation! I have an S Corp called Bama Stunts, Inc. that I conduct all of my business out of. I had no prior experience in that – taxes, legal aspects, etc. I’ve had to learn a lot in those areas. I didn’t take those classes in school 🙂
In this career, it can also be a challenge to adjust to no REGULAR schedule or paycheck! On days when I am not working, I hustle a set, mail out resumes, or go to a training session. My motto is “No days off!”
Another obstacle I never thought about before I got into stunts was how much I would be gone! In 2017, I was on location working for over eight months out of the year… away from my friends and family.
Bama Stunts – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
When people hear I’m a stuntwoman, the first questions are: “What movies have you been in?” “What celebrities have you met?” “What is the coolest or scariest stunt you’ve ever done?” “Do you ever get hurt?” “Where have you gotten to travel?” If those of you reading this want to know the answers to those questions, you can check out my IMDB page. But personally, the best part about my job isn’t any of those things. It’s being able to be a light in the world of Hollywood. I enjoy telling people who want to be in the stunt world, especially young women, that they don’t have to give in to social pressures in order to “make it.” I was able to without compromising any of my morals and beliefs.
I am a professional stuntwoman for movies and television shows. I would say I am mostly known for being the stunt double for some of your favorite “normal size” blonde comedians. I also did a good bit of motion capture work on the last 2 “Avengers” movies.
I think what sets me apart from others is that I decided to take my own route. In the beginning, I was told that I would need to lose 20 pounds to be a stunt double (because many actresses are very thin). For years I really struggled with that, and then I decided to do my own thing. I found my own path and started being the stunt double for “normal size” actresses who almost all happen to be comedians. My favorite type of movie has always been “romantic comedy”, so that is PERFECT for me. My personality definitely matches well with comedians too. I am so happy I found a path that was made for me because Hollywood consists of people that have all personalities, shapes, colors, and sizes! I want people to remember not to conform to what people say they need to do, and just be themselves!! I saw an opportunity/need, and I went for it! I have now been the stunt double for Jillian Bell (“22 Jump Street” and “Goosebumps”), Kate McKinnon (“Ghostbusters” and “The Spy Who Dumped Me”), Rebel Wilson (“Pitch Perfect 3” and “Isn’t It Romantic” which is being released Valentine’s Day 2019), Amy Schumer (“Snatched” and “I Feel Pretty”). I love working with these women because they stay true to themselves.
I’m thankful and honored to be part of the Stuntwomen’s Association of Motion Pictures (SWAMP), a group of 32 elite stuntwomen all over America. I was officially inducted into this organization at the end of 2017.
I am also thankful to have been nominated for a World Taurus Stunt Awards in the best fight category, a SAG award in best stunt ensemble category, and an Action Icon Award for “Dynamic Duo” for Rebel Wilson and me.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I measure success by happiness. I encourage everyone to not have a job only for the “money” that they make. I had no idea how much stunt performers were paid when I got into stunts. I did it because it was my passion. It was my dream! I think everyone should find something they are passionate about and the money will come. It is never too late and no goal is unable to be achieved. You just have to GO FOR IT!
I think another thing that makes someone successful is having other things they enjoy outside of work. In my spare time, I enjoy playing on my flag football team, volunteering at the nursing home, twerk fitness classes, hanging with my Taco Tuesday Singles Crew, indoor skydiving, collecting sneakers (big sneakerhead), riding my longboard on the beltline, and more. I recently bought an investment property in Midtown Atlanta with my great friend and fellow stuntwoman, Luci Romberg. I found a new enjoyment in remodeling and real estate. We now rent to people in production when they are in town working on movies!
In my eyes, a successful person is also one who sees the need for something and takes the initiative to meet that need.
I believe success is a lifelong process. I have more goals! I want to write a book, buy more investment properties, open a unique sneaker store in Atlanta, stunt coordinate more shows, and more! I hope you have dreams and goals that you want to accomplish, too!
In addition…
I lost one of my very best friends, John Bernecker, in a stunt accident in 2017. My ambition is now heightened even more to be a stunt coordinator for more shows (the person who is in charge of designing the action, hiring the stuntmen/stuntwomen and keeping everyone safe). I am so passionate about the safety aspect of stunts; plus, there is currently a lack of female stunt coordinators. #livelikejohn
It’s hard for me to answer when people ask about my five/ten year goals or plans because some of my best blessings have not been planned and I didn’t even know I wanted them! I love the surprise aspect of my life and the faith that I am challenged with that it is all going to work out! I am not able to predict the future and every day of my life is very different. My life is full of unexpected surprises, and I love living that way (which I know scares a lot of people).
Contact Info:
- Email: meredithstunts@gmail.com
- Instagram: @bamastunts
- Other: www.stuntwomen.com
Image Credit:
Jenn Harris Photography, Hopper Stone, Michelle Rose Creative
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