Buddy Joe Hooker, Board Member

Single Image
  • Office
    818.501.1970
  • Email
    info@stuntsunlimited.com
  • Height
    5' 9"
  • Weight
    155 lbs
  • Eye Color
    Blue
  • Hair Color
    Grey
  • Gender
    Male
  • Coat Size
    40 R
  • Shirt Size
    Medium
  • Neck Size
    16 x 32
  • Pant Size
    31 x 30
  • Shoe Size
    9
  • Hat Size
    7 1/8

Considered one of the entertainment industry’s busiest stuntmen and 2nd Unit Directors for over 60 years, Buddy Joe Hooker is a 2nd generation stuntman who first began performing as a child actor on successful television shows including RIN TIN TIN, LEAVE IT TO BEAVER and TWILIGHT ZONE.

A cowboy and gymnast since childhood, Buddy Joe quickly added motorcycles, cars, high falls and fire stunts to his resume skills. In the 1970’s, Buddy Joe’s designation as the premier stunt coordinator for Disney Pictures established his reputation as the go-to stunt coordinator throughout the industry. With innovative car stunts and chases in movies such as TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A., TUCKER and JADE, Buddy Joe continued to work with his Academy Award winning mentors Francis Ford Coppola, William Friedkin, Steven Spielberg and Hal Ashby for decades. His extensive resume as a stunt coordinator and second unit director spans all film genres and includes numerous classics: HAROLD AND MAUDE, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, GARDENS OF STONE, THE OUTSIDERS, RAMBO, GODFATHER III, MEET JOE BLACK and 40 YEAR-OLD VIRGIN.

In the 1977 Burt Reynolds renowned action film, HOOPER, Buddy Joe broke industry records with the first ever rocket powered car jump while doubling Jan Michael Vincent in the film’s innovative and extreme chase sequence at the end of the movie. He made movie history once again stunt doubling Sylvester Stallone for the iconic 90 foot high fall through the trees off the cliff in FIRST BLOOD.

Regarded as a leading “wheel man” for his abilities in both designing thrilling car sequences and performing them, Buddy Joe broke world records with the first motorcycle jump over a landing helicopter and then rolling a truck 17 times down an embankment -- a record that still stands. With 8 different car “cannonrolls” in a short span of 4 years on numerous features that include Quentin Tarantino’s DEATHPROOF, Buddy Joe was a pioneer in the advent of the extreme vehicle stunt that continues to set the bar in action features today.

In addition to stunt coordinating multiple series including Pierce Brosnan’s THE SON, Buddy Joe has recently worked on FREE GUY, the FAST AND FURIOUS franchise, EUPHORIA, QUANTUM LEAP and the Netflix/Jamie Foxx feature, DAY SHIFT. This past year, he stunt coordinated his 6th feature with Francis Ford Coppola called MEGALOPOLIS.

In recognition of his contribution to the film industry, the prestigious Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences inducted Buddy Joe into its exclusive membership back in the 1990s. An original member of the elite organization, STUNTS UNLIMITED, Buddy Joe has served 5 terms as President. In 2019, Jackie Chan invited Buddy Joe to be honored at his Film Festival in China representing the United States’ stunt community amidst an international gathering of action filmmakers.

The internationally renowned energy drink corporation, Red Bull, recognized Buddy Joe’s contribution to the entertainment industry with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 at the World Taurus Awards honoring stunts in film.

A devoted family man, Buddy Joe Hooker enjoys working alongside his wife, Gayle, a fellow stuntperformer and twin sons, Houston and Kanan, who began their entertainment careers at 6 years old on the film SPY KIDS.


Feature Films

Second Unit Director

  • SUSPECT ZERO
  • VANILLA SKY
  • THE IN CROWD
  • THE JACKAL
  • MONEY TALKS
  • THE HUNTED
  • TERMINAL VELOCITY
  • PENTATHLON
  • GUNMEN: MAN & HIS DREAM
  • SCHOOL TIES
  • GLEAMING THE CUBE
  • GUNMEN
  • TUCKER: THE MAN AND HIS DREAM
  • NOWHERE TO HIDE
  • MANNEQUIN
  • THE ZOO GANG
  • BATTLETRUCK
  • KING OF THE MOUNTAIN
  • THE ODD ANGRY SHOT
  • CORVETTE SUMMER
  • SEARCH & DESTROY
  • BOUND FOR GLORY
  • WHITE LINE FEVER
  • THE NO MERCY MAN
  • THE SCARLET LETTER

Stunt Coordinator

  • MEGALOPOLIS
  • JEXI
  • ROCK THE KASBAH
  • THE BARBER
  • THE SKELETON KEY
  • SUSPECT ZERO
  • THE BIG BOUNCE
  • THE HUNTED
  • LAUREL CANYON
  • VANILLA SKY (New York Unit)
  • HEARTBREAKERS
  • PAY IT FORWARD
  • COYOTE UGLY (Los Angeles Unit)
  • >RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
  • MAN ON THE MOON
  • JACK FROST
  • MEET JOE BLACK
  • RED CORNER
  • MONEY TALKS
  • GROSSE POINTE BLANK
  • SOLO (Vera Cruz Unit)
  • MULHOLLAND FALLS
  • THE ARRIVAL
  • JADE
  • THE HUNTED
  • TERMINAL VELOCITY
  • PENTATHLON
  • THE CHASE
  • THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JO
  • JENNIFER 8
  • SCHOOL TIES
  • BEETHOVEN
  • DUTCH
  • THE GODFATHER: PART III
  • THE GUARDIAN
  • MIAMI BLUES
  • HARD TO KILL
  • GLEAMING THE CUBE
  • GUNMEN
  • TUCKER: THE MAN AND HIS DREAM
  • NOWHERE TO HIDE
  • GARDENS OF STONE
  • MANNEQUIN
  • THE WRAITH
  • TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. (Driving and Chase Sequences)
  • THE ZOO GANG
  • THE RIGHT STUFF
  • RUMBLE FISH
  • BEYOND THE LIMIT
  • THE OUTSIDERS
  • LOOKIN' TO GET OUT (Stunt Choreographer)
  • BATTLETRUCK (Stunt Arranger)
  • THE HAND
  • KING OF THE MOUNTAIN
  • SECOND-HAND HEARTS
  • HERBIE GOES BANANAS
  • DEFIANC
  • THE ODD ANGRY SHOT
  • SEARCH AND DESTROY
  • HOT LEAD AND COLD FEET
  • CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND
  • HEROES
  • EMPIRE OF THE ANTS
  • BOUND FOR GLORY
  • VIGILANTE FORCE
  • SHADOW OF THE HAWK
  • GUS
  • TREASURE OF MATECUMBE
  • WHITE LINE FEVER
  • THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD
  • RAFFERTY AND THE GOLD DUST TWINS
  • THE NO MERCY MAN
  • HAROLD AND MAUDE
  • THE GAMES PEOPLE PLAY

Stunt Performer

  • FREE GUY
  • THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS
  • THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
  • INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE
  • DJANGO UNCHAINED
  • THE CAMPAIGN
  • A THOUSAND WORDS
  • HORRIBLE BOSSES
  • THE FINAL DESTINATION
  • FIGHTING
  • 12 ROUNDS
  • SEX AND THE CITY
  • HELL RIDE
  • SUPERBAD
  • THE INVASION
  • PLANET TERROR
  • DEATH PROOF
  • GRINDHOUSE
  • DEJA VU
  • SPY KIDS
  • 15 MINUTES
  • DOUBLE TAKE
  • BROTHER
  • GONE IN 60 SECONDS
  • THE FLINTSTONES IN VIVA ROCK VEGAS
  • HERE ON EARTH
  • END OF DAYS
  • THE SIEGE
  • SOLDIER
  • LETHAL WEAPON 4
  • BATMAN & ROBIN
  • STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT
  • THE SUNCHASER
  • EXECUTIVE DECISION
  • FROM DUSK TILL DAWN
  • WATERWORLD
  • THE SHADOW
  • THE CROW
  • THE ROAD KILLERS
  • THE CHASE
  • CARLITO'S WAY
  • DEMOLITION MAN
  • RISING SUN
  • LAST ACTION HERO
  • BEYOND THE LAW
  • COOL WORLD
  • LETHAL WEAPON 3
  • AMERICAN ME
  • FOR THE BOYS
  • THELMA & LOUISE
  • DAYS OF THUNDER
  • THE GUARDIAN
  • MIAMI BLUES
  • CATCHFIRE
  • SEA OF LOVE
  • LETHAL WEAPON 2
  • GREAT BALLS OF FIRE!
  • ROAD HOUSE
  • DEAD BANG
  • WHO'S HARRY CRUMB?
  • THE PRESIDIO
  • BURGLAR
  • CRITICAL CONDITION
  • F/X
  • MOVING VIOLATIONS
  • INTO THE NIGHT
  • NO SMALL AFFAIR
  • AGAINST ALL ODDS
  • D.C. CAB
  • TO BE OR NOT TO BE
  • SCARFACE
  • THE RIGHT STUFF
  • RUMBLE FISH
  • OCTOPUSSY
  • FIRST BLOOD
  • THE ENTITY
  • NIGHT SHIFT
  • TEX
  • PARASITE
  • SHARKY'S MACHINE
  • NICE DREAMS
  • CARNY
  • PROPHECY
  • JUST TELL ME YOU LOVE ME
  • PARADISE ALLEY
  • HOOPER
  • THE EVIL
  • GAME OF DEATH
  • CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND
  • FRAMED
  • WHITE LINE FEVER
  • THREE THE HARD WAY
  • THE CONVERSATION
  • BLAZING SADDLES
  • WHITE LIGHTNING
  • MESSIAH OF EVIL
  • MELINDA
  • HAROLD AND MAUDE
  • CLAY PIGEON
  • THE ΩMEGA MAN
  • HELL'S ANGELS '69

Television

2nd Unit Director

  • KING & MAXWELL (1 EPISODE)
  • HAWAII

Stunt Coordinator

  • TURN: WASHINGTON'S SPIES (22 Episodes)
  • THE SON (TV SERIES) (1 Episode)
  • HR (TV Movie)
  • RAKE (13 Episodes)
  • KING & MAXWELL (1 Episodes)
  • LAUREN (9 Episodes)
  • COMMON LAW (12 Episodes)
  • CRIMINAL MINDS: SUSPECT BEHAVIOR (13 Episodes)
  • DEXTER (2 Episodes)
  • LOST (1 Episode)
  • HAWAII
  • SIXTY MINUTE MAN (TV Movie)
  • MEDICAL INVESTIGATION
  • HOMELAND SECURITY (TV Movie)
  • BOOMTOWN (1 Episode)
  • ROSWELL (1 Episode)
  • IN PURSUIT (Video)
  • A PIG'S TALE (Video; Add. Stunt Coordinator)
  • IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1 Episode)
  • THE RETURN OF MICKEY SPILLANE'S MIKE HAMMER (TV Movie)
  • MACGYVER (3 Episodes)
  • V (TV Mini-Series)
  • KNOTS LANDING (1 Episode)
  • HOT ROD  (TV Movie)
  • LEGENDS OF THE SUPERHEROES
  • KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM OF THE PARK TV Movie)
  • WONDER WOMAN (TV Movie)

Stunt Performer

  • WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND (TV Short)
  • LIE TO ME (1 Episode)
  • DEXTER (4 Episodes)
  • SWEET POISON (TV Movie)
  • AIRWOLF (2 Episodes)
  • KNOTS LANDING (1 Episode)
  • LIE TO ME (1 Episode)
  • RETURN OF THE REBELS (TV Movie)
  • FREEBIE AND THE BEAN (1 Episode)
  • DEATH CAR ON THE FREEWAY (TV Movie)
  • FIRST BLOOD
  • THE ENTITY
  • NIGHT SHIFT
  • TEX
  • PARASITE
  • SHARKY'S MACHINE
  • NICE DREAMS
  • CARNY
  • PROPHECY
  • JUST TELL ME YOU LOVE ME
  • PARADISE ALLEY
  • HOOPER
  • THE EVIL
  • GAME OF DEATH
  • CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND
  • FRAMED
  • WHITE LINE FEVER
  • THREE THE HARD WAY
  • THE CONVERSATION
  • BLAZING SADDLES
  • WHITE LIGHTNING
  • MESSIAH OF EVIL
  • MELINDA
  • HAROLD AND MAUDE
  • CLAY PIGEON
  • THE ΩMEGA MAN
  • HELL'S ANGELS '69