Leslie Hoffman

Leslie Hoffman
Born Leslie Gail Hoffman[1]
January 21, 1955
Saranac Lake, New York
Occupation Stunt performer
Stunt coordinator
Years active 1976–present
Website
www.stuntrek.com

Leslie Hoffman is an American stunt performer, stunt coordinator and actress.

Her early education and training included gymnastics and ballet camps, and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Herbert Berkoff Studios in New York.[1] She was inspired to pursue stunt acting upon seeing a Universal Studios Tour stunt show; she travelled to California and studied at stuntman Paul Stader's stunt gym.[1]

Hoffman began stunt work in the mid-1970s with the film Two-Minute Warning (1976),[1] and several television series, including Police Story, M*A*S*H, a 78-foot high fall into water for The Love Boat, as well as working on Fantasy Island, Charlie's Angels,[2][3] and doubling for the six-foot tall Lainie Kazan in a circular stair fall for Columbo.[1] She also stunt doubled for Doris Roberts in the TV series Remington Steele. Film acting work included Avalanche (1978),[4] Deadly Friend (1986),[5] Trust Me (1989) and Naked Acts (1998).[6]

Hoffman played the Hall Guard (Krueger) character in Nightmare on Elm Street (1984),[6][7] and stunted in I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978), Motel Hell (1980), Resurrection (1980), Clue (1985), Alien Nation (1988), Mars (1997), Mystery Men (1999), and served as stunt coordinator for, and acted in, the ABC After School Special Me and My Hormones (1996).[6] She also stunt-doubled for Laurie Metcalf, who played the killer in Scream 2 (1997).

Hoffman was the first stuntwoman elected to the Screen Actors Guild Board of Directors, where she served from 1981 to 1985. As a director, she advocated for stuntwomen and stuntpersons of color, toward equal work and representation in the union.[8] She lost her bid for re-election in 1985.[9]

From 1990s onward, she worked as a stunt coordinator and rigger on several films, as well as doubling for several actresses in feature films and television. Her work includes stunt acting roles in multiple episodes of the Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine television series. Hoffman had provided stunt coordination for student film productions for USC, Loyola Marymount University[10] and UCLA.[11]

Leslie became disabled in 2002 and has been unable to continue her Career as a stuntwoman or stunt coordinator. On Social Security Disability due to trauma to her body during stunt work, Hoffman has advocated for fair treatment for disabled stuntpeople, including correct taxation on residual income.[12]

Though she is entitled to Occupational Disability by the Screen Actors Guild Health Plan, they have denied her. She has been in a legal battle with them even now. A Los Angeles Judge even ruled in favor of the Health Plan even though the L.A. Judge cited that the SAG Health Plan had not even followed their own rules. This was later overturned by a Higher California Court and sent back to the L.A. Court.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Rutkowski, Gary (March 10, 2003). Leslie Hoffman interview, Chapter 1 (video). Television Academy Foundation.
  2. ↑ Leslie Hoffman at the Internet Movie Database
  3. ↑ Meyer, Norma (May 19, 1977). "Her Secret: Very Carefully - Human Torch Is a Brunette". Los Angeles Times. p. SF1.(subscription required)
  4. ↑ "Avalanche cast and crew". Turner Classic Movies.
  5. ↑ "Deadly Friend cast and crew". Turner Classic Movies.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Leslie Hoffman Filmography". Turner Classic Movies.
  7. ↑ del Barco, Mandalit (October 3, 2005). "O.J. Simpson Verdict Leaves Lasting Legacy". NPR.
  8. ↑ Saravia, Jerry (May 4, 2011). "SAG’s McCarthyism on a Stuntwoman". LaborUnionReport.com.
  9. ↑ Bernstein, Harry (November 6, 1985). "Patty Duke Is Elected President of Actors Guild". Los Angeles Times.
  10. ↑ "LMU Handbook : Stunts and Coordinators" (PDF). Loyola Marymount University. p. 65.
  11. ↑ Barnett, Peter J. (1997). "Mulligans! Cast and Crew". UCLA.
  12. ↑ Robb, David (November 3, 2010). "Disabled Workers of the World Unite!". HollywoodToday.net.

Further reading

External links