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Chad Stahelski is an American film director and stuntman, born on September 20, 1968. He is best known for his work as the director of the popular John Wick film series. In addition to his directing work, Stahelski has also worked as a stuntman, stunt coordinator, and second unit director on numerous other films.
Chad Stahelski
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Born |
September 20, 1968
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Nationality | American |
Occupation(s) | Film director, stunt coordinator, second unit director, actor |
Years active | 1992–present |
Known for |
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Stahelski was born and raised in the United States. He had a passion for martial arts from a young age and began training in a variety of disciplines. He attended high school in California and later enrolled at the University of Southern California, where he studied film.
After completing his studies, Stahelski began working as a stuntman in the film industry. He quickly gained a reputation for his skill and precision, and he was soon working on some of the biggest films of the era.
One of Stahelski’s earliest notable roles as a stuntman was on the set of the 1994 film The Crow. Tragically, during the production of the film, the lead actor Brandon Lee was fatally shot. Stahelski and fellow stuntman Jeff Cadiente were called upon to stand in for Lee for certain scenes using a pioneering CGI technique that superimposed Lee’s face onto their bodies. This technique was groundbreaking at the time and has since been used to allow deceased actors to complete projects or appear in new performances.
Stahelski continued to work as a stuntman on a variety of films over the years, including serving as a stunt double for his future John Wick star Keanu Reeves in The Matrix franchise. He also worked as a stunt coordinator and second unit director on several films, including the 2009 film Ninja Assassin.
In 2014, Stahelski co-directed the action thriller film John Wick along with David Leitch. The film starred Keanu Reeves and Michael Nyqvist and was a commercial and critical success. It grossed over $88 million at the box office and received rave reviews for its stylish action sequences and innovative cinematography.
Stahelski went on to direct the sequels to John Wick, including John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), and the upcoming John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). He has also worked as a second unit director on other films, including the reshoots of Birds of Prey.
In addition to his work on the John Wick series, Stahelski has been attached to several other projects. He has been developing a remake of the classic film Highlander, as well as adaptations of Rainbow Six, Ghost of Tsushima, Black Samurai for Netflix, and Shibumi for Warner Bros. in March 2023. He has also been attached to direct adaptations of the comic book series Kill or Be Killed and Sandman Slim, as well as the film Analog.
Stahelski was married to fellow stunt performer Heidi Moneymaker, who worked as Scarlett Johansson’s double in Black Widow. She also appeared on Stahelski’s film John Wick: Chapter 2. However, they divorced in 2018.
Stahelski was a close friend of Brandon Lee, with whom he trained at the Inosanto Academy. The tragic accident on the set of The Crow had a profound impact on Stahelski, and he has spoken in the past about the importance of safety on film sets.
Year | Title | Director | Producer |
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2014 | John Wick | Yes | No |
2017 | John Wick: Chapter 2 | Yes | No |
2019 | John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum | Yes | Executive |
2021 | Bruised | No | Executive |
2022 | Day Shift | No | Yes |
2023 | John Wick: Chapter 4 | Yes | Yes |
2024 | Ballerina | No | Yes |
Second-unit director
Year | Title | Notes |
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2016 | Captain America: Civil War | |
2020 | Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) | Also stunt coordinator |
Stuntwork
Year | Title | Notes |
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1994 | The Crow | Brandon Lee-Stunt Double (Reshoots Uncredited) Credited As Chad Storelson |
1996 | Escape from L.A. | |
1997 | Bean | |
1997 | Orgazmo | |
1998 | Recoil | |
1998 | Almost Heroes | |
1998 | The Hunted | Stunts/Stunt Coordinator |
1999 | 8mm | |
1999 | The Matrix | Keanu Reeves-Stunt Double |
1999 | Wild Wild West | |
2000 | Picking Up The Pieces | |
2000 | The Replacements | (Keanu Reeves-Stunt Double Uncredited) |
2000 | The Gift | (Uncredited Stunts) |
2001 | Tomcats | |
2001 | Ghosts of Mars | |
2001 | Rock Star | |
2001 | Corky Romano | |
2003 | The Matrix Reloaded | Martial Arts Stunt Coordinator |
2003 | The Matrix Revolutions | Martial Arts Stunt Coordinator |
2004 | Torque | Stunt Driver (Uncredited) |
2004 | Van Helsing | Fight Coordinator/Assistant Stunt Coordinator |
2004 | Spider-Man 2 | (Uncredited) |
2004 | Cellular | Utility Stunts (Uncredited) |
2005 | Thumbsucker | |
2005 | Constantine | Fight Choreographer (Uncredited) |
2005 | XXX: State of the Union | |
2005 | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | (Utility Stunts) |
2005 | The Dukes of Hazzard | (Johnny Knoxville-Stunt Double Uncredited) |
2005 | Serenity | Stunt Coordinator |
2005 | Æon Flux | (Uncredited) |
2005 | V for Vendetta | |
2006 | Beerfest | Stunt Coordinator |
2006 | 300 | Fight Choreographer |
2007 | Next | |
2007 | Live Free or Die Hard | |
2007 | Shoot ‘Em Up | (Uncredited) |
2007 | I Am Legend | (Uncredited) |
2008 | Jumper | |
2008 | Speed Racer | Supervising Stunt Coordinator |
2009 | X-Men Origins: Wolverine | Action Coordinator |
2009 | Ninja Assassin | Stunt Coordinator |
2010 | Iron Man 2 | (Utility Stunts) |
2010 | The Expendables | Stunt Coordinator |
2010 | Tron: Legacy | (Uncredited) |
2011 | Season of the Witch | (Uncredited) |
2011 | The Mechanic | Stunt Coordinator |
2011 | Immortals | Fight Choreographer |
2012 | Safe | Supervising Stunt Coordinator |
2012 | Dredd | Action Coordinator |
2013 | G.I. Joe: Retaliation | Assistant Stunt Coordinator |
2013 | The Wolverine | Stunt Coordinator (Uncredited) |
2013 | 47 Ronin | Stunt Coordinator (Uncredited) |
2013 | Homefront | |
2014 | Captain America: The Winter Soldier | (Uncredited) |
2018 | Deadpool 2 | Directed By David Leitch |
Actor
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1998 | Vampires | Male Master #4 | |
2021 | The Matrix Resurrections | Chad[1] |
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