Profile: Elizabeth Davidovich, stuntwoman
‘The difference between stunt people and everyone else is that we constantly take one more step to extend our comfort zones.’
Serving as a body double for everything from zombies to young boys, Atlanta’s Elizabeth Davidovich is used to getting into character. Her work is inspired by films such as The Matrix and Kill Bill, and she’s well versed in tumbling and hand-to-hand combat. Don’t let her small stature fool you; she can suffer a fall just like the boys.
How did you become involved in stunt work?
I have a background in competitive gymnastics and have always been athletic. One day, I just decided I just decided that I wanted to do stunt work. I believe in the law of attraction, that once you set your mind to something you become more aware of opportunities to do the things you want. I went on an audition for something completely different from stunt work; the audition was held at a martial arts studio. I completely kicked major ass, and the instructor who worked at the studio said I should audition for the Black Knight stunt team. That was a week to the day I first said I wanted to do stuntwork.
How long have you been in your field?
I’ve been doing stuntwork for five years now. I’m expecting my career to last at least eight to 10 more years. I feel I have an edge, because my athletic background. Plus, someone that I really admire, Zoey Bell, has been able to keep working in stunts as she gets older. I’d like to accomplish the same. Eventually, I want to become a stunt coordinator.
Do you feel that the stunt industry is different for women?
Men and women all have to be able to do the same stunts. The first five or six films I did, I actually doubled for guys. The first was an 11-year-old boy. That made sense to me, but somehow after that I kept getting typecast as the one to double for little boys. That was hard on the ego.