Her Own Woman

As lead stuntwoman for The Matrix Revolutions, Danielle Burgio proves that professional persistence, self-nurturing and physical talent goes a long way.

POSSESSION OF PHENOMENAL PHYSICAL SKILLS and the ability to perform high-octane action sequences are two prerequisites of being a stunt double. Those are no problem for Danielle Burgio, who has trained extensively as a dancer (ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance) since childhood. At age 18, she even landed a role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express—two weeks after arriving in New York City to pursue a career as a Broadway dancer. The combination of dance, gymnastics and her willingness to take and throw a punch or kick add panache to Burgio’s stunt work.

Another obvious requirement of being a stunt double is to actually look like the person you are standing in for. No problem there, either: Many have noticed that the North Carolina native bears more than a passing resemblance to actress Sandra Bullock (The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood). When she dons a black leather jumpsuit and dark sunglasses, she’s also a dead-ringer for Carrie-Anne Moss. Indeed, the 27-year-old Los Angeles resident doubled for Moss in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. But make no mistake: On- and off-screen, Danielle Burgio has a strong sense of who she is and where she’s going in the world.

Self Defense for Women: You started out as a dancer, but eight years ago you changed careers and became a stuntwoman. How did you get into this line of work?

Danielle Burgio: It was literally a case of opportunity knocking, and I answered. I had no intention of becoming a stuntwoman. I was a musical-theater kid, and I was on the stage from the time I was very young. [Stunt work] was just something that presented itself to my life, and I thought, Well, that seems like fun. It was just one of those instances where everything fell into place. I quit acting and dancing and completely submerged myself in stunt work. I started [learning] martial arts and gymnastics. My training is sort of diverse; most of it has come from the stuntmen in town and a lot of film fighting. I do a combination of taekwondo, karate and wushu, depending on what I’m working on.

SDFW: Was it a leap for you to go from acting and dancing in the theater to doing movie stunts?

Burgio: In one way it’s very different. I think, in general, dancers are a little more “prissy.” I hate to use that word, but they’re a little more delicate, and stunt people are tough. However, in dancing you’ve got the choreography, the flexibility and general body mechanics—and dancers are used to abusing their bodies in an athletic sort of way. So it was a perfect transition for me.

Of all the forms, I think wushu most appeals to the dancer in me because it’s very lyrical. It’s very graceful and very fluid, and it incorporates a lot of ballet and moderntype moves.

SDFW: Usually you get stunt work on a film based on your reputation in the industry. How did you land your gigs in Daredevil and The Matrix sequels?

Burgio: When I did Daredevil, I doubled for Jennifer Garner for the second-unit stuff. Usually there are two units running on a film: The first unit works primarily with the actors, and the second unit comes in and picks up all the extra stuff. The bigger stunts and the majority of the action are done with the second unit. I probably took the biggest beating of my life on that film, but 90 percent of it was cut out of the movie because it was too violent.

We shot both Matrix sequels back-to-back, and in that particular case there was an audition. It’s not too common to have auditions [for stunts]. Normally, you get hired directly by the stunt coordinator, and that comes through referral and reputation. [Yuen] Woo Ping and his whole crew were there, and the American coordinator and all the actors were there. It was really stressful.

SDFW: How do you prepare to double for an actor?

Burgio: I think a lot of people just go in and do their stunts, but I really try to take on the mannerisms of my actors. I started as an actor, and I understand the importance of that. So I try to take on their mannerisms, their walk and their body language as much as I can to make it easier for the editor to seam [the shots] together. On The Matrix, the actors really did a lot of their own stuff. I was [Carrie-Ann Moss’] double for the fighting and flipping. A lot of my job was to train her—watch her through the lens and just kind of help out. Then when things got really hairy, I would step in.

SDFW: Are there any differences in your training regimen when you are preparing for a role versus when you are not working?

Burgio: I bumped up my workout schedule like I had never done before [when I did] The Matrix. I trained six days a week, and on at least four of those days I did a double workout. I would go to the gym and lift weights and do cardio in the morning, and then I’d practice either kicking or gymnastics at night. I’d switch [workouts] every other day.

When I’m on a film and [I’ve been] working 12 or 14 hours, if I go home and do a few push-ups and sit-ups, that’s a miracle. When I’m not working, I hit the gym a lot, but my workout changes from day to day. I try to go with how I feel. Sometimes I go hiking or do yoga. For the first time in my life I’ve been enjoying just going to the gym, putting on some amazing music and just cranking it out on the cardio. I’m there for 45 minutes to an hour—I like to do the elliptical machine and go with the music. If [the tempo] is slower I’ll increase the resistance, and if it’s a real peppy song I’ll drop the resistance and sprint it out. My dance classes are an hour and a half.

SDFW: Do you follow a particular diet?

Burgio: I’m not big on the pure-protein thing. I need my carbs; I would die without bread, so I try to cut out my fats and take it easy on Ben and Jerry’s [ice cream]. I do try to start the day with a good breakfast with some protein in there, [like] eggs, but that’s hard for me because I want to get a cup of coffee and run out the door. If I can manage it, [I have] a lighter dinner. I like sushi.

I find that when I exercise I crave healthy foods; the more I sit around, the more I eat. My biggest thing is to stop eating when I’m full. I’m getting really good at not finishing the whole plate.

SDFW: Has doing stunts and training for on-screen martial arts sequences increased your self-confidence?

Burgio: Absolutely. I think a lot of it is [because] I’ve proven to myself that I’m capable of a lot more than I ever gave myself credit for. I can’t believe some of the situations I’ve put myself through and some of the things I’ve survived. I’ve been in pretty good fights where I’ve just gotten bashed. In stunts when they’re hurling you through a brick wall on camera, they’re really hurling you through a brick wall. It’s been a lesson for me how much we can withstand as human beings. Also, because of the martial arts training and all the agility I’ve learned, [while] I might not be the best fighter, I guarantee [that] if someone attacked me on the street I would definitely be able to get away.

SDFW: While you were in the middle of filming The Matrix sequels, producers of Worst-Case Scenario, a series on the TBS Superstation, asked you to appear on the show as the “gear girl.” What did that entail?

Burgio: The show was based on the bestselling Worst-Case Scenario Handbook. The [emphasis] of the show really was: What do you do when bad things happen? My segment was testing gadgets, showing you how to get out of a bad situation. I introduced some pretty amazing and strange gadgets and showed how to use them. I was surprised at how much I learned from that show, and there were other things I’d learned as a stuntwoman where I thought, Wow, that’s great information they’re giving to the public.

SDFW: What do you consider to be your greatest challenge, professionally and personally?

Burgio: I’m a bit of a workaholic, and it’s really difficult for me to relax and enjoy life. I’ve been really focusing this last year on taking a deep breath and acknowledging the fact that I’ve worked really hard, and I can take some time off for myself. I’ve [channeled] my energies a little bit away from stunts. This is why I’m getting more into acting, and doing more things like this photo shoot and interviews. I’ve been having a great time with it.

SDFW: How have you found working in an industry that’s dominated by men?

Burgio: It’s tough. On the downside of it, there really are a lot of men who really don’t want to see women in their workspace, and they make it pretty difficult. But I believe in myself, so I go in, do my best and try to remain professional. If you can do that, you’re always going to ride to the top in the eyes of the people that matter most: producers, directors and [people] like that. On the other side of it, there are so many men I adore who respect me as an artist and don’t look at me necessarily as a woman. I love being hired for my skills [and not] for what I look like. And it is great to be in a man’s world, doing what a lot of people would consider to be a man’s job and earn their respect.

SDFW: Has the way men and women interact with you changed since you started doing stunt work?

Burgio: My [personal] relationships have been difficult. It’s not easy for [men] to see me come home with bruises and scrapes and broken bones. And I only really relate to strong women. I have a very low tolerance for women who are very codependent and want men to do everything for them. I’m sure there are a lot of times that women get intimidated by me, but when I find female friends who are very confident and independent, I cherish them.

SDFW: What makes you stress out?

Burgio: This business can get really intense. I think the most stressful aspect of my life [while filming The Matrix sequels] was not the one project but trying to coordinate The Matrix and Worst-Case Scenario at the same time. Dealing with schedules, the coordinator and producers, flying back and forth, and feeling that you’ve got 10 people pulling you in 10 different directions. That’s what got really heavy. I certainly eat off of my stress. If I feel too calm, that’s when I’m the most uncomfortable. I like a very fast-paced, high-energy existence.

SDFW: What do you do to relax?

Burgio: I’ll find some unsuspecting soul to come help me spend the day, and we’ll do whatever. And, again, I like to mix it up. I never like to do the same thing.

My biggest pastime is probably dining. I love to try all the really good restaurants around town, and I’m really into the hottest chefs and what’s going on. I like to swing dance, and on a rare occasion I like to go dancing. I like to go to the beach or go out to the desert and go hiking, but I don’t get to do it much. A couple of my friends have boats. But those things are pretty rare.

Sometimes I’m just so exhausted that my body’s screaming at me, “You’ve got to take a break!” Whether I’m just mentally stressed the one project but trying to coordinate The Matrix and Worst-Case Scenario at the same time. Dealing with schedules, the coordinator and producers, flying back and forth, and feeling that you’ve got 10 people pulling you in 10 different directions. That’s what got really heavy. I certainly eat off of my stress. If I feel too calm, that’s when I’m the most uncomfortable. I like a very fast-paced, high-energy existence.

SDFW: What do you do to relax?

Burgio: I’ll find some unsuspecting soul to come help me spend the day, and we’ll do whatever. And, again, I like to mix it up. I never like to do the same thing. My biggest pastime is probably dining. I love to try all the really good restaurants around town, and I’m really into the hottest chefs and what’s going on. I like to swing dance, and on a rare occasion I like to go dancing. I like to go to the beach or go out to the desert and go hiking, but I don’t get to do it much. A couple of my friends have boats. But those things are pretty rare.

Sometimes I’m just so exhausted that my body’s screaming at me, “You’ve got to take a break!” Whether I’m just mentally stressed


SWAN SONG
Danielle Burgio is hard-pressed to identify a single greatest achievement. Despite abandoning early aspirations to be a Broadway dancer, she returned to the stage one more time as the lead dancer when Cher performed her hit song, “Believe,” at the 1999 American Music Awards.

“[During] my entire dance career, one of the things that I had never done that I had always wanted to do was an awards show,” Burgio says. Ironically, after she quit dancing, choreographer/director Kenny Ortega phoned to ask the actress to perform with the diva.

It was like a dream come true, she says.

“There was no audition, and it was after I quit dancing, so it really was my swan song,” she says. “It was great.” —S.F.                                                     

 Sara Fogan