American director, second unit director, stunt coordinator and stunt performer
Michael G. “Mic” Rodgers
Born 1954 (age 70–71) Nationality American Occupation(s) Film and commercial director, second unit director, stunt coordinator, stunt performer.
Michael G. “Mic” Rodgers (born 1954) is an American film and commercial director, second unit director, stunt coordinator, and stunt performer. As a stunt performer, he is known for serving as a stunt double for actors such as Mel Gibson .[ 1] He has also served as a second unit action director and/or stunt coordinator for films such as Braveheart ,[ 1] Hacksaw Ridge ,[ 2] The Fast and The Furious ,[ 3] and Twister. [ 4] A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences , he won an Academy Award for Technical Achievement in 2002 for his invention of the “Mic Rig,” a stunt vehicle.[ 5] [ 6] He has also won a Screen Actors Guild Award for his work on Hacksaw Ridge [ 7] and two Taurus World Stunt awards .[ 8] [ 9]
Career
In the 1970s and 1980s, Rodgers worked as a stunt performer on television series such as Wonder Woman , The Incredible Hulk , and Airwolf .[ 10] He also played minor roles on productions such as the aforementioned Airwolf. [ 11]
In the 1980s, Rodgers also began doubling for Mel Gibson on projects such as Lethal Weapon .[ 10] Lethal Weapon was the first of his multiple collaborations with director Richard Donner .[ 12] He went on to double for Gibson for 25 years on projects including Braveheart and Maverick .[ 10] He also served as the main stunt coordinator on Maverick and Braveheart, and co-coordinator for Lethal Weapon 2 and Lethal Weapon 3 .[ 10] [ 12] While doubling for Gibson in Maverick, Rodgers performed a team-to-team stagecoach transfer, which was a stunt originated by Yakima Canutt in the film Stagecoach .[ 12] He also served as a second unit director for Braveheart.[ 1]
In 1999, Rodgers made his directorial debut with the film Universal Soldier: The Return .[ 13]
Rodgers was a second unit director and a stunt coordinator for the 2001 film The Fast and the Furious .[ 14] During the production of The Fast and the Furious, Rodgers developed a vehicle named the “Mic Rig” in collaboration with special effects coordinator Matt Sweeney and the rest of the film's special effects department.[ 14] [ 15]
Rodgers received an Academy Award for Technical Achievement in 2002 for his efforts designing the vehicle.[ 6] Rodgers would return for other films in the series, including Fast & Furious (2009), for which he won the Taurus World Stunt award for Best Stunt Coordinator and/or 2nd Unit Director.[ 8]
In the 2000s, Rodgers went on to serve as a second unit director and/or stunt coordinator for films such as Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle ,[ 16] Mr. and Mrs. Smith ,[ 17] and Wanted .[ 18]
Rodgers served as the stunt coordinator for the 2012 film Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter , training the film's star Benjamin Walker to perform the film's choreography.[ 19]
In the 2010s, he continued working as a second unit director and stunt coordinator for films such as the 2015 remake of Point Break ,[ 20] Hacksaw Ridge ,[ 7] and 12 Strong .[ 21] He would win a Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Performance By a Stunt Ensemble for his work on Hacksaw Ridge in 2017.[ 7] [ 22] He also won another Taurus World Stunt Award for Best Stunt Coordinator and/or 2nd Unit Director for Hacksaw Ridge .[ 9]
Rodgers continued working as a stunt performer for productions such as Django Unchained [ 23] and Sons of Anarchy .[ 10] He has also directed commercials such as BMW ’s “Epic Drift Mob.”[ 24]
He was a long time member of the stunt organization Stunts Unlimited, leaving it to become one of the original members of Brand X Stunts.[ 25]
Awards and nominations
Year
Award Show
Award Category
Work
Status
2002
Taurus World Stunt Awards
Best Stunt Coordination - Sequence
The Last Castle
Nominated[ 26]
2002
Taurus World Stunt Awards
Best Stunt Coordination - Feature Film
The Fast and the Furious
Nominated[ 26]
2002
Academy Awards
Technical Achievement Award
The Fast and the Furious, “Mic Rig”
Won[ 5]
2010
Taurus World Stunt Awards
Best Stunt Coordinator and/or 2nd Unit Director
Fast and Furious (2009)
Won[ 8]
2016
Taurus World Stunt Awards
Best Stunt Coordinator and/or 2nd Unit Director
Point Break
Nominated[ 27] [ 28]
2017
Taurus World Stunt Awards
Best Stunt Coordinator and/or 2nd Unit Director
Hacksaw Ridge
Won[ 9]
2017
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Best Stunt Ensemble
Hacksaw Ridge
Won[ 7] [ 29]
2017
Online Film & Television Association Awards
Best Stunt Coordination
Hacksaw Ridge
Won[ 30]
Filmography
Director / Producer
Year
Title
Director
Producer
1999
A Day in the Dirt
No
Yes
2002
Universal Soldier: The Return [ 13]
Yes
No
Second-unit director / Stunt coordinator
Year
Title
Notes
1978
The Return of Captain Nemo
TV series
1979
Survival Run
1979
1941
Uncredited
1980
Resurrection
Double for Sam Shepard
1980
In God We Trust
Alternately known as Gimme That Old Time Religion
1980
Gridlock
1981
Fall Guy
TV series
1981
Simon & Simon
TV series
1981
Dynasty
TV series
1981
Riker
TV series pilot
1981
The Archer
TV movie
1981
The Devil & Max Devlin
1981
The Incredible Hulk
1981
Underground Aces
1982
A Time to Die
1982
Megaforce
1982
Yes, Giorgio
1983
The Sting II
1983
Stroker Ace
1983
D.C. Cab
1984
Raw Courage
1984
Reckless
1984
Cannonball Run 2
1984
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
1984
The Woman in Red
As Mic Rogers
1984
Dreamscape
Double for Dennis Quaid
1984
Cover Up
1984
Beverly Hills Cop
1984
City Heat
Double for Burt Reynolds
1984
2010: The Year We Make Contact
1984
Birdy
1985
Into the Night
1986
Iron Eagle
1986
Legal Eagles
As Mic Rogers
1986
Out of Bounds
1986
When the Bough Breaks
1986
Let's Get Harry
1987
Lethal Weapon
Double for Mel Gibson
1987
Down Twisted
As Mic Rodger
1987
Kidnapped
1987
NightForce
Video
1987
Bulletproof
1987
World Gone Wild
Also Stunt Coordinator
1988
Off Limits
1988
Rambo III
1988
Scrooged
1988
Tequila Sunrise
Double for Mel Gibson
1989
Dead Bang
1989
K-9
1989
Road House
1989
Lethal Weapon 2
Double for Mel Gibson
1990
Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge
1990
Bird on a Wire
Double for Mel Gibson
1991
Tales from the Crypt
TV series - Ep: Carrion Death
1991
Run
1991
For the Boys
1992
Radio Flyer
1992
Lethal Weapon 3
Double for Mel Gibson
1992
Forever Young
Double for Mel Gibson
1993
Marked for Murder
1993
Point of No Return
1993
Heart & Souls
1993
Gettysburg
1994
Intersection
Double for Richard Gere
1994
Ring of Steel
1994
Village of the Damned
1994
Chasers
1994
The Road Killers
1994
Maverick
Double for Mel Gibson
1994
The Puppet Masters
1994
Drop Zone
1995
Braveheart
Double for Mel Gibson
1995
Under Siege: Dark Territory
1995
Virtuosity
1996
The Rock
As Mic Rogers
1996
Ransom
Double for Mel Gibson
1997
Inventing the Abbots
1997
Volcano
1997
Batman & Robin
1997
Conspiracy Theory
1997
Titanic
1997
Mousehunt
1998
Palmetto
As Mac Rodgers
1998
Deep Impact
1998
Godzilla
1998
The Negotiator
1998
The Adventures of Ragtime
1999
Payback
Double for Mel Gibson
1999
Universal Soldier: The Return
2000
The Scorpion King
2000
Van Helsing
2000
The Patriot
Stunt advisor to Mel Gibson
2001
The Fast and the Furious
2001
Double Take
2001
3000 Miles to Graceland
2001
Evolution
2003
Old School
2005
Sin City
2005
xXx: State of the Union
2005
Zathura: A Space Adventure
2006
Southland Tales
2006
Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny
2007
The Invasion
2007
Superbad
2007
Ben 10: Race Against Time
2008
Iron Man
2009-2011
Sons of Anarchy
TV series; Double for Ron Perlman
2009
The Final Destination
2010
Iron Man 2
2010
Faster
2012
Bless Me, Ultima
2012
Django Unchained
2013
21
2013
A Good Day to Die Hard
2013
Snitch
2013
The Lone Ranger
2013
True Blood
TV series as Michael Rodgers
2013
Thor: The Dark World
2013
The List
2014
The Night Shift
TV series
2014
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
2014
Transformers: Age of Extinction
2016
Blood Father
Double for Mel Gibson
2016
The Magnificent Seven
2016
Westworld
TV series
2018
Bird Box
2019
Lucy in the Sky
Actor
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1978
M*A*S*H
Private
1978
The Lord of the Rings
Character actor
Voice role
1982
Mae West
TV movie
1984
Courage
West
1985
Misfits of Science
Policeman
1985
Airwolf
Haver
TV series
1987
Lethal Weapon
Bus Driver
Uncredited
1987
Santa Barbara
Bounty Hunter
TV series
1989
Dead Bang
Sergeant Kimble
1990
Perfect Strangers
Video Vendor
TV series
1991
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Policeman in Garage
Uncredited
1992
Lethal Weapon 3
Bomb Scene Cop
Uncredited
1992
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Glinn Corak
TV series
1993
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Bajoran Security Deputy
TV series
1993
Point of No Return
Cop
1998
Deep Impact
Secret Service Agent
Uncredited
1999
Universal Soldier
Big Biker
Uncredited
2003
CSI: Miami
Jeff Macher
TV series
2006
The Shaggy Dog
Bus Driver
2012
Maniac
Old Man
2019
Lucy in the Sky
San Diego Cop
2022
Boo, Bitch
1 episode, TV MiniSeries
References
^ a b c "Mel Gibson stunt double Mic Rodgers sells house in Agoura Hills" . Los Angeles Times . 2013-09-09. Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ Longwell, Todd (2017-02-16). "Stunts Went Old School in Oscar-Nominated Films" . Variety . Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ "The Evolution of Fast and the Furious Car Chases" . IGN . 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ Shanahan, Don (2021-05-19). "Twister Goes Elemental With Its Blockbuster Coolness" . Film Obsessive . Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ a b "2002 | Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences" . www.oscars.org . 19 February 2015. Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ a b "CNN.com - Tech wizards find screen magic means Oscar - March 22, 2002" . www.cnn.com . Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ a b c d e "Hacksaw Ridge Stunts | Mic Rodgers" . Fasthouse . 2017-02-15.
^ a b c "Winners and Nominees 2010 - Taurus World Stunt Awards" . 2010-01-31. Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ a b c "Winners and Nominees 2017 - Taurus World Stunt Awards" . 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ a b c d e Hinz, Tom (2022-07-31). "THE HOLLYWOOD STUNTMEN OF MOTOCROSS" . Motocross Action Magazine . Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ "Airwolf - Donald P. Bellisario (1984) - Episode guide from season 3" . Scifi-Movies . Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ a b c d e f "Stunts a blast for cast & crew" . Variety . 1997-07-31. Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ a b " 'SOLDIER' RETURNS IN A RECYCLED MISHMASH - Chicago Tribune" . Chicago Tribune . 2020-09-27. Archived from the original on 2020-09-27. Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ a b c "Fast and the Furious, The : Production Notes" . cinema.com . Retrieved 2023-06-30 .
^ "Bad Dialogue, Silliness come Fast & Furious in Race car thriller" . Daily Herald . 2001-06-22. Retrieved 2023-06-30 .
^ "Charlie's Angels - Feature Review - Dirt Rider Magazine" . Dirt Rider . Retrieved 2023-07-01 .
^ Click, Carrie (2004-03-09). "True stars of film shoot are crew" . www.postindependent.com . Retrieved 2023-07-01 .
^ Hart, Hugh. "Wanted DVD Package Spills Action Secrets" . Wired . ISSN 1059-1028 . Retrieved 2023-07-01 .
^ Corliss, Richard (2012-06-21). "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: Four-score and Seven Corpses" . Time . ISSN 0040-781X . Retrieved 2023-07-01 .
^ "Point Break | Behind The Scenes" . Fasthouse . 2015-12-08.
^ "12 Strong Trailer: Chris Hemsworth Goes to War in a Post-9/11 World" . MovieWeb . 2017-10-19. Retrieved 2023-07-01 .
^ Murray, Rebecca (2017-01-29). "SAG Awards 2017: 'Game of Thrones,' 'Hacksaw Ridge' Stunt Winners" . ShowbizJunkies . Retrieved 2023-07-01 .
^ "Stunt coordinator Mic Rogers lists Agoura Hills home" . Chicago Tribune . 2013-07-11. Retrieved 2023-07-01 .
^ "The Epic Driftmob And The BMW M235i in Cape Town" . Zero2Turbo . 2014-07-30. Retrieved 2023-07-01 .
^ "Mic Rodgers" . Dirt Rider . Retrieved 2023-07-01 .
^ a b "Winners and Nominees 2002 - Taurus World Stunt Awards" . 2002-01-31. Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ "Winners and Nominees 2016 - Taurus World Stunt Awards" . 2016-01-31. Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ "Taurus World Stunt Awards 2016 Winners - Martial Arts & Action Entertainment" . martialartsentertainment.com . 2016-07-20. Archived from the original on 2016-07-20. Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ Murray, Rebecca (2017-01-29). "SAG Awards 2017: 'Game of Thrones,' 'Hacksaw Ridge' Stunt Winners" . ShowbizJunkies . Retrieved 2023-06-15 .
^ "21st Annual Film Awards (2016) – Online Film & Television Association" . Retrieved 2023-06-15 .