Stunt Woman Zoe Bell Is On Fire
By Kevin Conley
Bell waits for the combo of smoke and C02 to clear.
Photo Credit: Ture Lillegraven
Most stunt people were born into the business. Bell, on the other hand, was born at home on Waiheke Island, 12 miles off the coast of Auck-land. Her father was the island doctor, her mom a nurse, and Bell spent long days in the bush with no other instructions than to be back before dark. Her idealistic upbringing gave her confidence in her ability to land on her feet, literally and metaphorically.
It also gave her an aura of good karma, which you can practically see when she's on the set-riding the hood of the Challenger, screaming in terror as the Charger slams her along 80 feet of guardrail. But when she moves out of the shot, she cracks up the crew by spreading out her arms with a flourish, Nadia Comaneci-style. As she rides off for the last run of the day, Buddy Joe Hooker, the stunt driver who'll pummel her against the rails, calls out, "Have fun, Zo!"From her perch Bell waves back, "Thanks, love"-just another day at work.
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