Stuntwoman goes from South L.A. to the big screen



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Weeden on the set of the movie “Meet Dave,” where she doubled for actress Gabrielle Union

They’re the people who entertain others by jumping off of speeding cars, setting themselves on fire, breaking through windows, and fighting hand-to-hand combat – they’re stunt performers.

Some of these performers joined together in 1967 to establish the Black Stuntmen’s Association. This group strived to break racial barriers and earn black performers a place alongside white stuntmen in film and television.

In February 2012, the NAACP honored the founders of the Black Stuntmen’s Association with the prestigious President’s Award. Legendary actors Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte handed out the award at the 43rd NAACP Image Awards.

April Weeden, a former resident of South L.A., has been a stuntwoman since 1995 and was thrilled that the NAACP was finally honoring the Black Stuntmen’s Association.

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April and her daughter Kiera
Washington

“They sacrificed so much and fought a great fight for us,” Weeden said. She commended the Black Stuntmen’s Association for “going into the studios and to producers and demanding justice so… performers of color could do stunts in the entertainment industry.”

According to her biography, Weeden has stunt-doubled for celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry, Vanessa Williams, and Taraji P. Henson.

Weeden’s film credits include “Seven Pounds,” “Swordfish,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “Anaconda,” and “Eraser.”

She has also appeared on television in shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “True Blood,” and “Community.”

How did this woman from South L.A. make it big in the stunt business?

Weeden spoke to Intersections about how she became a stuntwoman, whether her family supports her career, and what she would say if her daughter decided to become a stuntwoman too.


What inspired you to become a stuntwoman?

My inspiration to become a professional stuntwoman came when I was doing extra work on the movie “Presidio,” and I was asked to be one of the people to ride on the Ferris wheel with stunt man Benny Moore. They needed someone to ride on the Ferris wheel that was not afraid of heights and have a camera above their heads. So I did the stunt with him as a background person, and I caught the bug. I still didn’t know how to get into stunts, but I kept in touch with Bennie Moore and pursued my acting career.

How did you start working in the stunt business?

I started working in the stunt business by doing background work in features, television shows and commercials. My former husband, William Washington, trained me as well as Shane Anderson, Rick Seaman, Wally Crowder, and Bobby Ore. William was instrumental in [teaching me] the ins and outs of the stunt business and taught me everything and how to survive in the stunt game.

Do you ever fear for your life when you do stunts?

No, I never fear for my life when I do stunts! I pray and ask God to protect me. I never do a stunt without praying first. My prayer process begins immediately when I receive a phone call to do a stunt. Being a professional stunt person does not require a person to be fearful. It requires training in as many areas as possible of a physical nature. Being fearful is very dangerous and you could lose your life. Of course, I get butterflies in my stomach, but I associate that with adrenaline. I get a major rush of energy and adrenaline before I do a stunt. Being prepared and trained up is key.

Did your family support your decision to become a stuntwoman?

Yes, my family supported me in wanting to perform stunts. I was raised by my single mother, Thelma Weeden, who was an educator, and she encouraged me to do whatever my heart desired. She always pushed me to do my best.

Would you allow your daughter to be a stuntwoman too?

My daughter Kiera Washington is already a stunt performer. She appeared in “Johnson’s Family Vacation” at the tender age of nine months. She was in the scene when the truck comes barreling in at the family function. She has also appeared in the television show “Trauma” as a stunt performer, in a scene with actor Derek Luke and stunt coordinated by Terry James. The stunt business is a family-oriented business. It is about your skills, who you know and who knows you.

What do you like to do on your off-time when you’re not working?

I go to the gym, travel, read many books, study the Bible, attend church, volunteer my time at church, and mentor over 100 children, women and men. I am always checking on my mentees. I have an organization called the Joy Foundation and I give back to many. I am the President and Founder of The Joy Foundation. I love helping others.

I am always on the red carpet, doing radio and TV interviews. I have so much to do. I am also a singer and currently have a Hewlett Packard commercial running and I drive in commercials stunt doubling actresses. I love what I do.

I have a motto I go by: “I give because I have and I have because I give – and because of this, I am never without!”

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April in all her gear.

Check out Weeden in action on an episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

The episode “Fool for Love” featured Weeden as “Nikki the Subway Slayer,” a vampire slayer who is killed by Spike the vampire.

“I did a lot of episodes of ‘Buffy,’” Weeden said. “I did all of my own fights and I really enjoyed working on ‘Buffy.’ I stunt doubled for many for the leads and it was tough working on the set, but I pulled it off.”

Weeden continued, “When I would work on Buffy, I had to be in the best fighting shape possible. I had to be alert and focused.”

“Sometimes I would have to perform five different fights in one day. I had to know them all on the same day.”