Vic Armstrong shares Life of Action II
Stunt legend Vic Armstrong (Eddie the Eagle, Indiana Jones trilogy, Bond franchise, Superman I & II) sent a picture enjoying his copy of Life of Action II. He gives a fascinating, rich and career-spanning interview in the new book and talks about his vast career from his earliest childhood memories and influences, to his prolific early film work in the 1960’s right through to the present day. The book is available now.
From Life of Action II…
Born in Buckinghamshire, England in 1946, Vic Armstrong discovered his film career almost by accident and would go on to become an influential figure in film, shaping action cinema through his contributions and innovations in stunts. He is well known for multiple disciplines as a stunt coordinator, second unit director, filmmaker and, launching his career, a stunt double – the world’s most prolific according to the Guinness Book of Records.
A steeplechase jockey in his early years, it was by sheer coincidence that he was introduced to film. Stepping into this new arena, Vic used his knowledge working with horses before broadening his skills as a stunt performer. He cut his teeth working on classic films like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and A Bridge Too Far, before landing some of his best known work doubling Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones film series, as well as Blade Runner and Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, bearing a strong resemblance to the actor. Later, he stunt coordinated Superman and Superman II. Beyond shaping the action for a global franchise, he doubled Christopher Reeve.
Another iconic franchise, James Bond, remains a cornerstone in his vast career. He earned his first Bond credit playing a ninja in You Only Live Twice and later doubled George Lazenby filming On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, before graduating to designing and directing the action during the Pierce Bronson years and playing a major role in 007 history.
His CV is immense and further credits include action design on Total Recall, Universal Soldier, Starship Troopers, Charlie’s Angels, Gangs of New York, War of the Worlds, I Am Legend, Salt and Eddie the Eagle, to name a few. His work has led to friendships with Harrison Ford, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Paul Verhoeven, Tom Cruise and Arnold Schwarzenegger, all of whom trust and depend on Vic to realise their visions for world class action.
As a filmmaker, he first directed an episode of George Lucas’ The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles TV series, before making his feature debut on cult action favourite Joshua Tree starring Dolph Lundgren. Unknown to many, he even directed the epic opening for Terminator 2: Judgment Day on the request of James Cameron. He remains a passionate filmmaker to this day.
His hard work and technical innovation has led to a number of accolades. He received a Technical Achievement Academy Award for his fan descender invention “for accurately and safely arresting the descent of stunt persons in high freefalls”. He has been nominated for and won several stunt awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the World Stunt Awards and, in 2002, he received the BAFTA Michael Balcon Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the British film industry.
With such a career, it’s hardly surprising that his memoir My Life as Indiana Jones, James Bond, Superman and Other Action Heroes: The True Adventures of the World’s Greatest Stuntman comes highly recommended. There simply isn’t enough time to re-visit all of his stories in this book, and no one tells it better than the man himself. His autobiography is essential reading.
Heading up the Armstrong Action family, Vic and his brother Andy, also a stunt coordinator, work all over the world, often with their children James, Bruce, Scott, Nina, Georgina and nephew Jesse V. Johnson. An appetite for action clearly runs in the blood. What’s more, Vic supports young stunt performers, encouraging them to reach their potential through hard work and graft. The word ‘legend’ is thrown around, but he has earned it well and remains a real-life hero to stunt performers, filmmakers and film buffs alike.