industry

The memoir is titled Confessions of a Hollywood Stunt Man (or It seemed like a good idea at the time!), though it is frequently associated with the catchy premise of a stuntman shouting “Please shoot me!”. Written by veteran stunt performer Jesse Wayne, this 532-page autobiography provides a gritty, unfiltered look into the golden age of Hollywood action. Core Premise and Background

The Unconventional Stuntman: Standing at just 5-foot-4, Jesse Wayne did not fit the tall, muscular mold of standard action stars. Instead, he built a highly successful 40-year career by becoming the go-to stunt double for Hollywood’s shorter leading men, women, and child actors.

Mickey Rooney’s Double: In 1959, Wayne became the official stunt double for Mickey Rooney at MGM, which launched him into elite Hollywood circles.

Industry History: Wayne was deeply involved in the stunt community, documenting the historic formation of the Stuntmen’s Association of Motion Pictures in 1961, where he served as secretary, treasurer, and board member. What the Book Covers

The memoir spans over 500 television productions and feature films, moving between high-octane entertainment and sobering real-life drama:

Famous Doubles: Beyond Mickey Rooney, Wayne performed stunts for a massive roster of stars, including The Three Stooges (Moe Howard and Larry Fine), Kurt Russell, Robin Williams, Red Buttons, and Don Johnson.

The “Bread and Butter” Stunts: He gives detailed, behind-the-scenes breakdowns of how classic Hollywood illusions were pulled off, detailing fights, high falls, car work, stair falls, and his personal specialty, “fire gags”. He famously recounts the mechanics behind the massive fire escape stunts in the comedy classic It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

The Darkness of the Industry: The book does not shy away from the dangerous and messy realities of Hollywood. Wayne covers everything from outsized egos and toxic set conditions to tragic accidents. Most notably, he details a horrific, real-life incident involving the murder of an 8-year-old child actor on a New Orleans film location.

Multi-Hyphenate Career: The narrative also touches on his work behind the camera, where he transitioned into roles as a director, first assistant director, cinematographer, and gun coach. Where to Find It

The book is highly praised by fellow stunt veterans for its raw honesty and absolute realism. It is widely available for purchase as a physical paperback and an eBook on platforms like Amazon and ThriftBooks.

If you are looking for a specific story or stunt from Jesse Wayne’s career, let me know! I can also recommend other classic stunt performer memoirs if you want to dive deeper into old Hollywood.