Behind the Scenes with Christopher M. Dukes: Lessons on Longevity and Success in Hollywood

Christopher M. Dukes is a seasoned actor, stuntman, and entrepreneur whose career spans over two decades in film, television, and live performance. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Dukes moved to Los Angeles in 1995 after earning a degree in Speech Communications from the University of Nebraska. Known for his versatility and physical prowess, Dukes has performed as a stunt double for Patrick Swayze and worked on major productions like G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. His recent acting credits include NCIS and the upcoming holiday film, A Heart Full of Hope. Other credits include roles in hit series such as Alias, Las Vegas, The West Wing, Transformers, Fresh Off the Boat, Very Frightening Tales, and Pump. His film work includes Angie's Cure, Twisted Date, Middleton Christmas, Reed’s Point, They Crawl Beneath, and The Christmas Chain. Beyond acting and stunt work, Dukes is the founder of Dukes Wealth Management, Inc., through which he has managed over $100 million in client assets. He is also a philanthropist, giving back to cancer and veteran organizations in honor of his family’s legacy. With training in improvisation, live performance, and business, Dukes brings a rare combination of talent, heart, and entrepreneurial spirit to every project he takes on.   @the_real_christopherdukes

How did you first get started in both acting and stunt work, and what drew you to pursue both?

My sophomore year in high school, I answered an ad in the local newspaper that said, ‘searching for talent’. Through that ad, I got my first agent and subsequently booked my first commercial for a local news station. In terms of stunt work, I went to a Six Flags live show audition in early 1997 with a friend. Out of over 200 applicants, I was one of 14 people who were chosen for a six-month contract in Texas. That show started my passion for stunt work and helped me segue into television and film work when I came back to Los Angeles in late 1997.

Can you walk us through your preparation process for a particularly challenging stunt or acting role? How do you balance the physical and emotional demands?

Typically, I will read through the entire script a couple of times to see how my character fits into the overall tone of the project. Then, I will make a choice for my character and create a backstory. If the role requires some physicality, I will make sure it’s something that the character would realistically do. For example, if I’m playing a suburban dad and I have to get into a fight, that technique might be sloppy and not as crisp as say a special ops military role might be. 

What has been the most memorable project or scene you’ve worked on, either as an actor or a stunt performer, and why does it stand out to you?

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, I had the privilege of working on the West Wing. Even though I played a small role, I was able to work with the likes of Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, and Bradley Whitford. The techniques that I learned from those actors are something that helped me on later in my career. In early 2020, I was cast opposite Eric Roberts in a horror film. We had a fairly intense restaurant scene that didn’t end well for my character. The camaraderie we had behind the scenes transferred into the scene and made our relationship even more believable.

Can you describe a time when you had to collaborate closely with directors, coordinators, or fellow actors to achieve a complex scene? What made that collaboration successful?

In early 2020, I was hired to stunt coordinate an independent film by director Dan Mirvish. The finale of the movie is a fairly complex fight sequence between four characters that takes place entirely in a beach cabin and involves multiple unique ways in which the characters are killed off. I was able to spend a day coming up with the plan for the sequence, and then was given time with the actors to rehearse and make sure that everyone was comfortable with what I had designed for them. The result was an ending to the movie that far surpassed my expectations.

How do you prepare mentally and physically for high-risk stunt scenes? Can you share a challenging stunt you’ve performed and how you managed safety?

It’s all about safety first. While I want to entertain the audience with whatever I’m tasked to do, I make sure that it can be done safely under the supervision of trained professionals. One of the more challenging stunt roles I’ve had was on the reboot of G.I. Joe. During a scene that featured mortars and bombs exploding around our characters, we had to rehearse several times before actually filming to make sure that the “ballet” went according to plan. Even then, several takes had to be stopped when it was determined that some of the stunt men would be at risk of a burn or some other injury if the scene  were to continue.

What does your training regimen look like to stay in peak condition for both acting and stunts?

I  do three days of weight training and two days of cardio each week. This combination allows me to stay in excellent physical condition so that I might be able to take on roles that require more physicality.

How has your approach to acting and stunt work evolved over the years, and what lessons have you learned that you wish you knew when you started?

As I’ve gotten older, I tend to gravitate towards roles where I can explore a character while also lending my physicality to the character's believability. While I always prefer to have a stunt double for the most dangerous stunts, I relish being able to handle the physical aspects of my character's development.

What advice would you give to aspiring actors and stunt performers hoping to break into the industry today?

Practice, practice, practice. Whether you hope to be a stunt person who can act or an actor who can handle his own physicality, you’ll need to have constant training to stay in shape.

How has your experience in stunts influenced your approach to acting?

With stunt work, you have to follow a specific set of directions so that you stay safe, keep your partner safe, but are still able to deliver a believable sequence. I think that type of training has done well for myself and my acting career.

Looking ahead, are there any types of roles or stunts you haven’t done yet that you’re eager to tackle? (Any directors or actors you admire with whom you would like to work?)

My dream job would be a character akin to Liam Neeson‘s character in Taken and Taken 2. A father with a vendetta who wants to save his child from the bad guys. I would love to develop a project like this to showcase both my acting and physical talents. Also, I know he has two major films left, but I would love to work with director Quentin Tarantino before he retires.