ANNIE ELLIS

Annie is a fifth generation Californian, youngest of four. Raised in Malibu, California, with the ocean as her back yard, she learned all kinds of water sports and with a love for animals, especially horses, was four time National and World Champion in Western and Stock Horse events.

Annie is a 2nd generation Stuntwoman. Her father Richard “Papa” Ellis was a well-known and loved Stuntman, raced motorcycles and was a well known surfer, as was her brother, David, who went from being a Stuntman and Stunt Coordinator to a Feature Film Director today.

Annie started working for a Veterinarian when she was 14 and in 1977 she got a call from family friend, legendary Stuntman, Big Ronnie Rondell, asking her to double Cheryl Ladd on “Charlie’s Angels” T.V. Show in a surfing sequence. Annie’s Stunt career was off and running and quickly turned into her main passion. “I was very privileged to be taught by and work with the best in the business, such as, Ronnie Rondell, Bobby Bass, Gene LeBell, Richard Ellis, David Ellis, R.A.Rondell, Terry Leonard, Mic Rodgers, Vic Armstrong, Henry Kinji, Mickey Gilbert, Tommy Huff, Janet Brady, and many more fabulous individuals.

Annie’s specialties include horse work, water work, fights, and all kinds of car work. Her extensive resume includes thousands of T.V. credits and over 150 top Feature Films, while playing herself and doubling over 50 A List actresses.

In the last 12 years Annie has also moved in to Stunt Coordinating and in 2006, following in her brothers’ foot steps, began Directing Second Units. She is a member of DGA, SAG, AFTRA, Women In Film, The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, United Stuntwomen’s Association, and the President of the Stuntwomen’s Foundation.

Annie still has her love for the ocean and for animals, and still judges Horse Shows once in a while. She is involved with many Charity events and groups, including, Malibu Boardriders and Camp Ronald McDonald, for children afflicted with cancer.

In 1991, close friend and fellow Stuntwoman Paula Moody, broke her back in an equestrian accident and had multiple surgeries. Annie, with help from Cris Palomino and several other women from United Stuntwomen’s Assoc., organized the first Charity Stunt Bowl in 1992, with all the proceeds to benefit Paula.

“My dream was to have a fund for injured Stuntwomen, which would provide financial assistance to Stuntwomen who have debilitating illnesses or injuries. The Foundation was finally born in 2003. In 2005 Annie and Dana Evenson had an idea for a Poker Event, and the “World Stunt Poker Classic” was born! The Poker Classic drew 118 players including many Celebrities and Pro Poker Players, with
every penny going to help Stuntwomen in need.

LESLEY ALETTER

"My mother always said I would find my road to travel. Who knew it would be all about flips, twists, fights and falls." Since Lesley was a little girl growing up in the sunny San Fernando Valley she was always into school gymnastics doing cart wheels and walking on her hands down the hallways. She has been a member of Screen Actors Guild since she was 10. With a few commercials and bit parts here and there, her first movie in the 80's was the first step toward performing her stunts with a future of many more action filled possibilities.

She was brought up in the entertainment business with an acting mother, Lee Meriwether, and father, Frank Aletter. With an older sister who also had the acting bug, Lesley of course tried to follow that same road. But with the ups and downs of getting one job to losing ten it seemed that she didn't enjoy the family style of being in front of the camera. At least the acting part. But being on sets her whole life with her mother from TV shows like, "Barnaby Jones," "Star Trek," and the movie "Batman," instilled the ways of how to perform and create, in and around movie sets.

Her teenage years took her away with her mother to travel with the circus where her gymnastics came in very handy. Traveling to Japan, Australia, China, and Switzerland would be an amazing experience for any kid to be able to see all the different cultures in the ways of how other countries live. Coming home and doing odd jobs and still always trying to perform either on stage or circus, learning new skills to fill her appetite, she finally figured out that stunt work would be her passion. Lesley knew she would be able to add a lot of her knowledge to the stunt community. She dug in further and came out a winner; stunt doubling for quite an amazing group of women like Sigourney Weaver, Lucy Lawless, Daisy Fuentes, to name a few. Being in the middle of fire, fights, underwater, or even hanging from a few helicopters, she couldn't ask for a better job then being a stuntwoman.

"I have had a great career in the stunt community and continue to do so with the love and support of my family and fellow stunt sister's who go through the same roller coaster as I do hoping that the next job will be a good one, and a safe one! I am so honored to serve on the board of the Stuntwomen's Foundation."

CAROLINE DAY

Carolyn Day is a member of the United Stuntwomen’s Association, who grew up as a competitive Elite gymnast. She toured for 3 years as a Trick Riding/Vaulter Acrobat, with an equestrian extravaganza called “Cheval Theatre”, from Gilles Ste-Croix, Director of Creation of Cirque du Soleil. As their Media Spokeswoman she also gave over 250 Live and Pre-Recorded interviews for Television.

In 2005, she competed as a surfer in the first ever Women’s Pipeline Surfing Championships on the North Shore of Oahu. She continued to develop her competitive skills, in 2007 by surfing in the NSSA Explorer Women’s Division and qualifying for Nationals.

She has an Associate’s Degree in Clinical Criminology, has received intensive training as a volunteer in an suicide crisis center, and been involved in Hawaii as a volunteer Youth Coach and Mentor for Breakthroughs for Youth at Risk.

DANA DRU EVENSON

Raised in Rolling Hills, California, my love affair with the film industry started very young as my mother introduced me to the movies. I loved every aspect, I knew as young as eleven or twelve that my destiny was in celluloid. I did not know what area I would wind up working in, but was certain of my future. As I got a little older, I saw a movie called "Hooper, the Greatest Stuntman" with Burt Reynolds and it spoke to me. I saw grown-ups having a great time and loving their job, performing stunts. That was it! I walked out of that movie with a purpose, I knew where I belonged. After that, I spoke to my parents about my dream and they expressed a desire for me to go to college and further my education, getting a degree. So, I enrolled in Film School at Cal State Northridge and gained knowledge and hands-on experience in the complete film-making process. After graduating with my degree in Film, I was encouraged by most everyone to pursue camera or directing, but my heart lie with the action. I knew I could always run camera, but while I was young and healthy I wanted to live out my dream and jump motorcycles, crash cars, fall off buildings and tumble down stairs.

Since 1985, I've done that and more. Stunt-coordinating soap operas and IMAX films, playing baseball and crashing into home plate in "A League of their Own", chasing Batgirl and Robin on motorcycles, sliding down ship decks in "Titanic", fighting super-sized bugs in "Starship Troopers", falling overboard into huge waves in "Perfect Storm", getting shot by an oversized robot in "Terminator 3", fighting off plundering pirates in "Pirates of the Caribbean" and surfing a staircase in "Princess Diaries 2" to name just a few of over 150 films and TV shows. I have loved every moment of my career and I still enjoy the action!

STACEY CARINO

I want to make a difference in people’s lives and make my life on earth mean something. That is the motto I try to live by. I grew up outside of Cleveland and became a teacher for a few years and while teaching decided to move to become a stuntwoman. Because of my hard work and training and because of God’s guidance and provisions I have been extremely blessed with work since I started in 2003. “War of the Worlds” was one of the first movies I worked on for many weeks and that’s when I met my mentor and friend, Jeannie Epper. We shared a passion for this business and for the Lord, which made me excited for the opportunities I could have while working as an entertainer. Although I love doing stunts very much, my motives for working and making money changed a bit. Our business is one of the few where we can work on and off and still make a descent living. On my down time, besides looking for work and training I enjoy spending time with my little sister from Big Brother’s Big Sisters, and babysitting friend’s children so they can have the day or night free. Having time for myself, being able to help others, and LOVING my job has been the best gift I have ever been given.

Thank you Annie for inviting me to become a part of the board and thank you ladies for accepting me. I am excited to be a part of the future fund raising events.

JENNIFER CAPUTO

Jen grew up in Florida and graduated from University Nevada, Las Vegas with a degree in hotel and restaurant management. In the mid nineties Jen and her brother Jay, both with a background in gymnastics, came to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Stunts in the movie industry.

Upon arriving in L.A., Jen quickly discovered her passion for Motocross. She also loves to hike with her dogs and play guitar in her down time.

Jen is a daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, a Godparent, an animal lover, and a loyal friend.

After thirteen years in the Stunt business, she is honored to serve on the Stuntwomen’s Foundation Board to help her fellow Stuntwomen.

KELSEE DEVOREAUX

Kelsee king-Devoreaux is one of Hollywood's top African American stuntwomen with over 15 years experience. She holds an Associate of Arts Degree in business.

She has performed on such hit film and television shows like: The Matrix Reloaded, Collateral, The Italian Job, My Wife & Kids, ER, Set It Off, American Dreams, The Nutty Professor II - The Klumps, Half & Half, The Parkers and Scream 2 just to name a few. She has also doubled such well known actresses as: Jada Pinkett Smith, Janet Jackson, Nia Long, Meagan Good, Camille Winbush, Malinda Williams, Elise Neal, Kyla Pratt and Essence Atkins just to a few.

Kelsee is also a member of the Stuntwomen's Association of Motion Pictures. She is the first African American stuntwoman in history to become a member of The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. She has now stepped into the field of motivational speaking, along with becoming an author of four upcoming books: Film & Television: STUNTWOMAN!, STUNT Ph.D. and STUNTS ÷ Court = "...A Bitter Custody Battle...And It's Battle Scars."

CRIS THOMAS GILBERT
(AKA CRIS PALOMINO)

Cris is a Southern California native. She competed in gymnastics in private clubs as well as all through Jr.high, high school and college. Her introduction into the stunt world was auditioning for, and landing the part of, Red Sonja in the live action Conan the Barbarian show at Universal Studios in 1983. At the coaxing of other stunt performers she started training with legendary stuntman Paul Stader. Shortly afterward, she performed a stunt on a movie which allowed her to join Screen Actors Guild. After more than 20 years in the business she has worked on over 100 movies, television shows and commercials. Her credits include such films as Titanic, Beetlejuice, Austin Powers, Waterworld, and television shows Baywatch, MacGyver and General Hospital.

Cris has always wanted to help other stuntwomen and along with Annie Ellis put on the first stunt bowling tournament to help injured stuntwomen. Having been injured on a stunt she knows what it is like to not be able to work and have limited income. Being able to help other stuntwomen by being on the foundation board is something she has always hoped to do.

Her biggest accomplishments are her three kids, Kevin 25, in the United Stated Coast Guard, Chontel 21, college student, Dylan 13, incredible dancer who is already on point in ballet and her husband Paul who has supported her in every way.

KATHY JARVIS

Kathy grew up in Breckenridge Colorado; a skiing scholarship took her to the University of Utah, where she graduated with a degree in exercise physiology. After she graduated she worked at Primary Children¹s Hospital in Cardiology, she was hoping to one day be accepted to the Child Health Associate Program for Physician Assistants in pediatrics. It was during this time that her life took a sharp turn. While doing homework at a friend¹s house, her friend spoke up and told her he had an epiphany; she should be a stuntwoman. She believed he was off his rocker, but agreed to at least inquire about how one becomes a stunt person. She met George Fischer, who was running a show in Utah, and her new career took off like a rocket.

Cut to: twelve years later, after she experienced being out of work for over a year, due to a surgery, she now is helping her friend Annie Ellis with the mission of providing financial assistance through the Stuntwomen's Foundation, where there otherwise would be no help. Kathy is keeping busy between a stunt career, driving Pro Rally competitions, instructing at rally racing and off road schools as well as running her business 'femmefatale.'