Black Actresses Who Refuse Stunt Doubles

Action cinema has long relied on stunt performers to execute the most dangerous sequences on screen but a new wave of talent is changing that norm. Many leading women in Hollywood are now choosing to undergo months of grueling training to perform their own combat and tactical scenes. This dedication allows directors to capture unbroken shots that heighten the realism and emotional intensity of the film. The following women have established themselves as physical powerhouses by stepping into the line of fire and executing complex choreography without a switch.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry set a new standard for actor participation during the filming of ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’. The Academy Award winner trained for six months to master judo and marksmanship so she could perform nearly all her own combat scenes. She also spent extensive time bonding with the Belgian Malinois dogs to ensure she could command them on camera without a trainer present. Her commitment was so intense that she broke three ribs during rehearsal and continued to work through the injury.

Viola Davis

The production of ‘The Woman King’ saw Viola Davis transform her body to portray the fierce General Nanisca. Davis performed the vast majority of her own stunts including heavy weapons combat and high-impact sprints across sandy terrain. She trained for months with martial arts experts to handle machetes and spears with lethal precision. Davis emphasized that doing the physical work herself was essential to embodying the warrior spirit of the Agojie.

Danai Gurira

Danai Gurira is widely recognized for her physical prowess as Okoye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Michonne in ‘The Walking Dead’. She undergoes rigorous katana and spear training to ensure she can execute long takes without the need for a double. Her background in theater provides her with the discipline to master complex choreography that often involves heavy weaponry. Gurira insists on maintaining a high level of fitness to handle the physical demands of her action-heavy roles.

Lupita Nyong’o

For her role as Nakia in ‘Black Panther’, Lupita Nyong’o engaged in a boot camp that included judo, silat, and Filipino martial arts. She performed many of her own stunts including the casino brawl where she utilized ring blades to dispatch enemies. Nyong’o even learned to free dive for the underwater sequences in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ to avoid relying on CGI or doubles. Her dedication allows the camera to stay on her face during intense physical altercations.

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson embraced a grueling seven-day-a-week training schedule to play the title character in ‘Ahsoka’. She mastered the unique dual-lightsaber fighting style required for the role and performed the majority of her own swordplay. Her stunt coordinator noted that Dawson was relentless in her pursuit of perfection and rarely sat out for a double during duel sequences. This dedication allowed the show to feature wide shots of her combat that showcased her fluidity and skill.

Lashana Lynch

Lashana Lynch trained like a real MI6 agent to play Nomi in ‘No Time To Die’ and a warrior in ‘The Woman King’. She performed heavy stunt work that included handling automatic weapons and tactical repelling in the James Bond film. Lynch bulked up significantly to perform her own hand-to-hand combat scenes and sword fighting for her role as a veteran Agojie warrior. Her physical transformation was critical to selling the strength and capability of her characters.

Thuso Mbedu

Thuso Mbedu performed her own stunts for ‘The Woman King’ despite having no prior martial arts experience. She underwent the same intense boot camp as her co-stars to learn how to wield a sword and spear convincing. Mbedu executed dangerous wirework scenes and high falls that required immense core strength and bravery. Her willingness to perform these feats added a layer of visceral realism to her character’s journey from recruit to soldier.

Sheila Atim

Sheila Atim brought her physical imposing presence to ‘The Woman King’ by performing her own fight sequences as the character Amenza. She trained with a spear and dagger to execute complex defensive maneuvers that protected her on-screen liege. Atim also performed her own stunts in ‘Bruised’ where she played a mixed martial arts trainer. Her athletic background allows her to pick up fight choreography quickly and perform it safely.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett has maintained a peak level of physical fitness throughout her career that allows her to perform demanding roles well into her sixties. In ‘Black Panther’, she performed her own ceremonial movements and physically imposing scenes as Queen Ramonda. Her role in the show ‘9-1-1’ also requires her to participate in active field rescues that involve running and lifting. Bassett treats her physical training as a non-negotiable part of her acting preparation.

Zoe Saldaña

Zoe Saldana is one of the most prolific action stars in history with roles in ‘Avatar’, ‘Star Trek’, and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. She performs a significant amount of her own wirework and combat choreography for her sci-fi roles. Saldana trains in dance and martial arts to give her alien characters a distinct and lethal way of moving. She often lobbies directors to let her stay in the rig for difficult shots to maintain continuity.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson underwent a radical physical transformation to play Valkyrie in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’. She learned sword fighting and wirework to portray the elite Asgardian warrior authentically. Thompson performed many of the slides and jumps during the bridge battle sequence herself. Her dedication extended to the ‘Creed’ franchise where she engaged in physical training to match the energy of the boxing films.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith is legendary for her role as Niobe in ‘The Matrix’ sequels where she performed her own martial arts. She trained despite being pregnant during pre-production and eventually executed high-difficulty kicks and weapon disarms. Her character in ‘Gotham’ also saw her performing her own stunts in heels and tight clothing. Pinkett Smith has always advocated for women being capable of selling their own action on screen.

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah takes a hands-on approach to the action sequences in her series ‘The Equalizer’. She learns the fight choreography to perform the beatdowns she delivers to criminals in each episode. While she uses doubles for hard falls, she ensures she is the one throwing the punches and driving the cars whenever possible. Her motorcycle riding in various projects is often done personally to add to her character’s coolness factor.

Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris underwent extensive training for her role as Moneypenny in ‘Skyfall’ to transition the character into a field agent. She learned stunt driving and firing automatic weapons to participate in the film’s opening chase sequence. Harris worked with the stunt team to ensure she looked like a competent operative who could hold her own alongside Bond. Her physical preparation allowed for more dynamic shots inside the Land Rover during the chase.

Pam Grier

Pam Grier defined the female action hero in the 1970s with films like ‘Coffy’ and ‘Foxy Brown’. She performed her own fights and stunts long before safety regulations were as strict as they are today. Grier was known for handling shotguns and engaging in raw street brawls on camera without a double. Her willingness to get physical on set paved the way for future generations of action actresses.

Tamara Dobson

Tamara Dobson used her height and martial arts training to perform her own stunts in ‘Cleopatra Jones’. She executed high kicks and karate chops that became her trademark in the blaxploitation era. Dobson was also a skilled driver who handled the custom vehicles featured in her films. Her physical performance was central to the character’s image as an unstoppable government agent.

Grace Jones

Grace Jones is famous for her role as May Day in ‘A View to a Kill’ where she performed terrified stunts. She famously jumped off the Eiffel Tower for a sequence and engaged in hand-to-hand combat with Roger Moore. Jones used her natural athletic ability and intimidating presence to minimize the need for a double. Her raw power on screen remains one of the most memorable aspects of the Bond franchise.

Gloria Hendry

Gloria Hendry was the first African American woman to be romantically involved with 007 in ‘Live and Let Die’. She performed her own stunts including running through fields and handling firearms alongside Roger Moore. Hendry was trained in karate and used those skills to make her character Rosie Carver more capable. She took pride in doing the physical work required for the action-adventure genre.

Regina King

Regina King stepped into the role of a masked vigilante in ‘Watchmen’ with full commitment to the physicality. She trained to perform the fight scenes that required her character Sister Night to beat down white supremacists. King worked closely with her stunt coordinator to ensure she could execute the kicks and takedowns personally. Her fitness level allowed her to move with the fluidity required of a comic book hero.

Sonequa Martin-Green

Sonequa Martin-Green leads ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ and performs a vast amount of the hand-to-hand combat seen on the show. She mastered the fictional Vulcan martial arts style Suus Mahna to make her character’s fighting look authentic. Martin-Green also handled heavy weaponry and intense running sequences during her time on ‘The Walking Dead’. She views the physical expression of her characters as equal in importance to the dialogue.

Kiki Layne

Kiki Layne trained for months to play an immortal mercenary in ‘The Old Guard’. She learned tactical weapons handling and hand-to-hand combat to keep up with co-star Charlize Theron. Layne performed the majority of her own fights including the climactic battle on the plane. Her dedication to the physical role was praised by the stunt team for adding realism to the film.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson took on the role of a hitwoman in ‘Proud Mary’ and did the work to look the part. She engaged in weapons training and learned how to clear rooms tactically for the film’s shootouts. Henson drove the Maserati in the film’s high-speed sequences to ensure the reaction shots were genuine. She wanted the audience to believe she was a seasoned killer without relying on editing tricks.

Meagan Good

Meagan Good performed her own action sequences for the vampire hunter film ‘Day Shift’. She trained to use heavy firearms and participate in the chaotic fight scenes alongside Jamie Foxx. Good also performed wirework stunts for her role in ‘Minority Report’ the TV series. She enjoys the challenge of physical roles and pushes to do as much as the insurance bond will allow.

Nathalie Emmanuel

Nathalie Emmanuel plays the hacker Ramsey in the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise and often finds herself in the middle of the action. She performs her own jumps and physical interactions inside the high-speed vehicles. For her role in ‘Game of Thrones’, she learned to ride horses and handle the difficult terrain of the filming locations. Emmanuel embraces the physical chaos of blockbuster filmmaking.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo displayed incredible athleticism in ‘Harriet’ where she performed her own running and climbing stunts. She sprinted through forests and waded through freezing rivers to portray the legendary freedom fighter accurately. Erivo also performed a breathless running scene in ‘Widows’ that showcased her sprinting speed. Her physical endurance is a key component of her dramatic performances.

Jodie Turner-Smith

Jodie Turner-Smith trained with Navy SEALs to play a soldier in ‘Without Remorse’. She performed intense underwater stunts and tactical combat drills wearing full military gear. Turner-Smith insisted on carrying the real weight of the equipment to understand the physical toll it takes on a soldier. Her commitment created a believable portrayal of a female special operator.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Gugu Mbatha-Raw took on a physical role as Judge Renslayer in the Marvel series ‘Loki’. She learned to fight with a baton and performed the choreography for her battles against the title character. Mbatha-Raw trained to ensure her movements looked disciplined and authoritative. She enjoyed the departure from her usual dramatic roles into the action genre.

Wunmi Mosaku

Wunmi Mosaku played the Hunter B-15 in ‘Loki’ and used her physical presence to dominate scenes. She performed the takedowns and restraint maneuvers required of her time-traveling police character. Mosaku learned the specific fighting style designed for the TVA agents to ensure uniformity with the stunt team. She embraced the physicality of the role as a way to project power.

Teyonah Parris

Teyonah Parris trained extensively for wirework to play Photon in ‘The Marvels’. She learned to simulate flight and energy projection while suspended in a harness for long hours. Parris also performed hand-to-hand combat drills to prepare for the film’s fight sequences. Her core strength was tested daily to maintain the superhero posture required for the visual effects.

Moses Ingram

Moses Ingram underwent months of Jedi training for her role as Reva in ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’. She learned complex lightsaber choreography and parkour to hunt down Jedi on screen. Ingram performed her own rooftop runs and saber duels against experienced stunt performers. Her physical dedication was necessary to sell the ferocity of her Inquisitor character.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg learned a specialized form of kung fu for her role in ‘The Acolyte’. She performed the intricate martial arts wirework required for the Star Wars series personally. Stenberg trained for months to master the dual-role fighting styles that differed between the twins she played. She rarely used a double for the close-quarters hand-to-hand combat scenes.

DeWanda Wise

DeWanda Wise performed her own stunts as the pilot Kayla Watts in ‘Jurassic World Dominion’. She engaged in physical fights with dinosaurs and executed the climbing sequences required in the script. Wise worked on her upper body strength to look convincing as a military-trained pilot. She noted that doing the stunts herself helped her connect with the survival instincts of the character.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer performed her own motorcycle riding and sprinting for the climax of the film ‘Nope’. She executed the famous “Akira slide” on the bike which became a standout moment in the trailer. Palmer trained to handle the heavy camera equipment while running to ensure the scene looked authentic. Her physical energy anchored the chaotic finale of the alien invasion movie.

Zazie Beetz

Zazie Beetz trained rigorously for her role as Domino in ‘Deadpool 2’ to perform the character’s luck-based fighting style. She learned to fight hand-to-hand and handle firearms to minimize the need for swapping in a double. Beetz also performed her own stunts in ‘The Harder They Fall’ where she engaged in a brutal fistfight on a train. She commits fully to the rough-and-tumble nature of her action roles.

Dominique Thorne

Dominique Thorne wore the heavy practical Ironheart suit for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. She performed the wirework required to simulate the suit’s flight and landing capabilities. Thorne also engaged in the ground combat scenes where she had to run and fight in the bulky armor. Her willingness to stay in the suit added weight and realism to the CGI-enhanced character.

Lauren Ridloff

Lauren Ridloff played the speedster Makkari in ‘Eternals’ and performed the running stunts herself. She was attached to a specialized wire rig that dragged her across the ground to simulate super-speed. Ridloff used her background in physical expression to make the running look effortless and powerful. She worked closely with the stunt team to invent a unique movement language for the character.

Javicia Leslie

Javicia Leslie became the first Black Batwoman and performed the majority of her own stunts in the suit. She utilized her background in Muay Thai to execute the fight choreography with precision and speed. Leslie was adamant about doing the wirework and motorcycle riding to fully inhabit the superhero role. Her athleticism allowed the directors to shoot long, continuous fight sequences.

Simone Missick

Simone Missick performed the fighting for her character Misty Knight in ‘Luke Cage’ and ‘The Defenders’. She learned to fight with a bionic arm prop which required a unique balance and fighting style. Missick executed police tactical maneuvers and street brawling choreography personally. She brought a gritty realism to the Marvel Netflix universe through her physical performance.

Anna Diop

Anna Diop performs the wirework and energy blasts for her character Starfire in ‘Titans’. She spends hours in the harness to simulate flight and alien combat maneuvers. Diop also engages in hand-to-hand fights that require flexibility and strength. She maintains a strict training regimen to handle the physical toll of the superhero costume and stunts.

Pearl Thusi

Pearl Thusi performed all her own stunts for the Netflix spy series ‘Queen Sono’. She trained in various martial arts and tactical driving to play the highly skilled secret agent. Thusi executed complex fight choreography in every episode without a double. Her physical capability was a major selling point of the African-produced action series.

Adrienne Warren

Adrienne Warren utilized her Broadway endurance to perform the stunts for ‘The Woman King’. She trained with the rest of the cast to master the machete and spear combat styles of the Agojie. Warren performed high-intensity sprints and battle cries that required immense lung capacity and strength. She threw herself into the physical conditioning to ensure she looked like a believable soldier.

Jayme Lawson

Jayme Lawson performed her own combat scenes as a young soldier in ‘The Woman King’. She learned to fight in formation and execute the specific kills designed for her character. Lawson participated in the grueling obstacle course scenes that required climbing and jumping over thorns. Her dedication to the physical training helped her bond with the ensemble cast.

Paula Patton

Paula Patton performed dangerous stunts alongside Tom Cruise in ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’. She engaged in a brutal fight scene inside a moving Burj Khalifa elevator that required precise timing. Patton also handled firearms and performed tactical driving for the team’s missions. She trained for months to ensure she could keep up with the franchise’s legendary stunt standards.

Tell us which of these powerhouse performances impressed you the most in the comments.