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Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tragic true story of 'the other Harry Potter' whose life changed forever after a catastrophic injury on set
A stunt double for Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe has opened up about the horrific injury he sustained on set 16 years ago which left him paralysed from the neck down. At 25 years old, David Holmes was working on film sets after becoming a trained gymnast; having overcome years of childhood bullying to live out his dream. He was at the height of his career and working on one of the biggest film franchises in the world when his life changed in an instant following an on-set accident. David, now 44, from Romford, was rehearsing a fight scene for The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 film in 2009 when he fell and plummeted to the ground, hearing the sound of his own neck snapping as he reached the ground. Medics rushed around him but the damage had already been done, with David left paralysed from the chest down bar some limited movements in his arms and hands. Now he has detailed his dismay at the horrendous injury that wrecked his career, calling it 'the gift that keeps on taking'. Despite the catastrophic consequences of his injuries he is ever the optimist, and said he believes that being alive in itself is a 'gift'. Appearing as a guests on Mamamia's No Filter podcast, he opened up about his gratitude for the Harry Potter franchise and how the injury it left him with has changed his outlook on life. David was first cast as the 'second Harry' when he was just 17-years-old, his small frame making him the ideal stunt man for 11-year-old Daniel Radcliffe. Throughout his nearly decade-long tenure working on the iconic film set, he was more than just a second Harry. 'I'm the Hermione when the troll smashes through the bathroom doors. I'm the Ron sitting on the back of the horses he gets hit with on the chest piece. I'm the Malfoy in the Quidditch match, flying off of his broom,' he recalled. But his fearless streak would soon to come to end. During a routine stunt filming The Deathly Hallows: Part 1, the wire attaching him to a harness and pulley system, suddenly snapped, causing David to plummet to the ground. He was paralysed instantly. He was initially taken to A&E at Watford General Hospital but transferred to a specialist spinal injury centre when the extent of his injuries became apparent. He spent several months in hospital and has since undergone years of treatment and surgeries. 'My spinal cord separated at the C 67 vertebrae just at the bottom of your at the bottom of your neck before your thorax starts,' he said. He recalled how the accident 16 years ago made him 'vulnerable' and 'needy' after being 'stripped back' to how he was as a toddler. 'People needed to feed me, people needed to dress me, wash me, you name it, and then gruelling rehabilitation,' he remembered in painstaking detail. Several cast members remained by his side, visiting David in hospital and showing their support. 'They were young to have to see me like that, with wires in me and stuff hanging out my nose,' he said in the podcast. 'For me being brave for them on camera all those years... they got the opportunity to flip that and be brave for me.' David and Daniel's bond is one that still endures today, with the two having collaborated in filming a documentary on the former stunt master titled The Boy Who Lived. In 2020, the pair also recorded a podcast series, Cunning Stunts, about stunt double acting. Daniel took time out a busy filming schedule to visit his stunt double in hospital, a gesture David has never forgotten, describing his as 'a great human being that will sacrifice his life to make sure other people stay employed.' Now 16-years on snap that changed the trajectory of his life for ever, David is able to look on his injury with optimism. 'What's worse than breaking your neck is the pain in your loved one's eyes,' he said. 'Life is hard, broken neck or not. I learned that lesson at 25, and it made me make peace with the fact it teaches you gratitude. I am here today, now. Where am I going to be in 10 years' time, in my body? I can't tell you… it forces me to be here now to take in the day.' Being paralysed from the waist down comes with it's complications, from which David doesn't shy away - and he's always able to see the funny side. 'I can't have control of my bowel routine,' he said. 'So that means I've had more hands up my a** than the cast of The Muppets.' 'I've cr**ped myself everywhere — top of mountains, film premieres, you name it … it never gets easier. But if you can find the joy and humour after it, it gets a little bit more digestible. So I always just laugh at myself.' Elsewhere in the interview, he discussed his relationship with his partner Rosie, a C-4 quadriplegic he met while renting her property in Spain. 'We don't connect over our injuries,' he said. 'We connect over our love for each other and our shared experience of being loved by great families and friends and committed care teams.' 'Our shared life experience when we go on holiday together, it means more because we have to work harder for it. And every orgasm that we both give each other, it means more because we're having an orgasm below our level of injury, something that most people say is unachievable.' He said he was 'grateful' for the life that the two are able to share, adding that they were enjoying having the best sex of their lives together. David also holds immense gratitude for having shared in the Harry Potter experience, praising the franchise for how it has helped others through difficult times. 'There are kids in conflict zones right now, petrified… their parents put Harry Potter on a phone in front of them, and it helps them escape their reality,' he said. 'There are people struggling with mental health issues right now that are always like turning to those films to help them get through a tough time. I'm very, very grateful that I was able to contribute to that fact for tons and tons of people.' 'I get to share my perspective, and hopefully someone goes, 'That's helped me today',' he said. 'We get one chance in life. The best thing is sharing, to share the experience of being a dumb monkey on a rock, spinning through space with a load of other dumb monkeys on a rock.' 'There'll be a generation of people behind me that have a spinal cord injury that will be like that lost little boy that I was in hospital feeling like hope is all gone. And then maybe, just maybe, they might find my journey and my story, and it might give them hope.'
New York Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Kevin Costner Is Sued by ‘Horizon' Actor Over Rape Scene
A stunt double who worked on the western 'Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2' sued its director, Kevin Costner, and producers on Tuesday for what she called forced participation in a 'violent unscripted, unscheduled rape scene' without advance notice or an intimacy coordinator. The plaintiff, Devyn LaBella, who was the lead stunt double for the actress Ella Hunt, who plays Juliette, said she was left with permanent trauma after the scene and was seeking a public apology and unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. A lawyer for Mr. Costner said the claims were meritless. According to Ms. LaBella's complaint, the unscripted rape scene took place in May 2023, one day after she had filmed a similar one without incident. Mr. Costner, the suit said, inserted additional scenes to be shot with a different male actor in which he would climb on top of Ms. Hunt and violently rake up her skirt. The additions, the suit said, were not outlined in the day's call sheet and no arrangements were made for an intimacy coordinator, who works with actors before and during scenes involving nudity or simulated sex to make sure they are comfortable. 'Ms. Hunt became visibly upset and walked off the set, refusing to do the scene,' the complaint said. At that point, Ms. LaBella was asked to stand in. She had not been prepared for the scene, the suit said, and learned its details after filming had already begun. There were multiple takes of the scene, according to the lawsuit. 'Horizon 2' was the planned second installment of a four-part film series by Mr. Costner. After the first chapter, which cost $100 million to make, earned $11 million in its opening weekend, the second chapter's theatrical release was canceled. Marty Singer, Mr. Costner's lawyer, said in a statement that Ms. LaBella's claims contradicted her own actions and that she was using 'shakedown tactics' that would not work. He said the scene in question was explained to Ms. LaBella, who rehearsed it and gave an indication she was willing to film it. The lawsuit by Ms. LaBella, which was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, states that the added scene also violated her union contract, which prohibits last-minute requests for nudity or simulated sex. The union, SAG-AFTRA, requires producers to provide at least 48 hours' notice before call time to negotiate a written contract rider for simulated sex and obtain a performer's consent. A union representative did not respond to a request for comment. After that day of filming, Ms. LaBella said, she felt shame and humiliation and flew home for a few days before returning to work. Several people apologized and made excuses for Mr. Costner, the lawsuit said, which made her feel 'even more uncomfortable.' Mr. Singer's statement said that after filming had wrapped, Ms. LaBella took the stunt coordinator to a thank-you dinner. 'She also sent him a cordial thank you text illustrated with happy heart emojis,' the statement said. 'The facts are clear and we are beyond confident that Kevin will prevail.'
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kevin Costner sued by Horizon stunt double over 'violent, unscripted' rape scene
Kevin Costner just found himself in a legal battle as a female stunt double that worked on his $100million Western epic Horizon has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him and the film's producers. Devyn LaBella alleges that she was subjected to an unscripted rape scene without notice on the set of the second and final Horizon film — Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 — in May 2023. According to court docs obtained by PEOPLE, LaBella filed her lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday, claiming that she 'was the victim of a violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene directed by Kevin Costner.' LaBella — who was hired as a stunt double for lead actress Ella Hunt — claimed to have never consented to the alleged scene, which left her with 'permanent trauma,' and that there was no intimacy coordinator present. The outlet reports that LaBella is 'suing for an undisclosed amount and wants a trial by jury.' Costner's attorney Marty Singer slammed LaBella as a 'serial accuser' as he vehemently denied her claims, which he insisted have 'absolutely no merit,' in a statement. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. He said that Costner 'always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously.' Singer, who accused LaBella of 'shakedown tactics,' also alleged that she had approved and rehearsed the scene with another actor prior to filming. He also claimed she was in 'good spirits' afterwards and had expressed gratitude for the opportunity via text to Horizon's stunt coordinator. In one alleged text, which was shared with PEOPLE, LaBella reportedly sent cartwheel and heart hand emojis to the stunt coordinator. Singer concluded: 'The facts are clear and we are beyond confident that Kevin will prevail.' In LaBella's suit filed Tuesday, the stuntwoman claimed that she was hired on for part two of Horizon as Ella Hunt's stunt double. As per the SAG agreement, LaBella was to stand-in for the actress 'during physical scenes,' as well as for any stunts. According to LaBella's complaint, any 'last minute requests for nudity or simulated sex' are not allowed by SAG and the film's producers are expected to give 48-hours notice of any changes. The performer's permission is also required when it comes to any changes related to intimate scenes. It was also claimed that having a 'coordinator for all intimacy scenes' was a requirement noted in Hunt's contract. Weeks into filming and 'without incident,' LaBella was told to stand-in for Hunt during a 'scripted, aggressive and intimate rape scene' due to its 'physical nature.' The scene was between Hunt's character Juliette and a male character Sig, played by actor Douglas Smith, and it was filmed on May 1, 2023, according to the lawsuit. The scene reportedly 'wrapped' with 'no issues' following multiple takes. One day later, LaBella alleged that she returned to the set of Horizon 2 for a 'non-intimate scene.' But LaBella claimed that director Costner, who was allegedly on set that day, had added in a scene where a different male character, played by Roger Ivens, sexually assaults Hunt's Juliette. Costner allegedly directed Ivens to 'climb on top of Ms. Hunt, violently raking up her skirt.' LaBella, who insists in her lawsuit that the scene was not listed on that day's call sheet, was allegedly asked by Costner to 'stand in' for Hunt 'without proper notice, consent, preparation, or appropriate safeguard measures in place.' She claimed that such a request 'was not within the scope of her role as a stunt double.' LaBella also alleged that she was unaware that Hunt herself had refused to do the scene — and that the actress had allegedly even gone as far as to walk off set. LaBella said her consent was not given to go through with the scene as she claimed it differed greatly from the rape scene shot on May 1, 2023, which had been choreographed, etc. Adding to her discomfort was the film's alleged open set, which would have allowed 'anyone' to walk on set and 'observe the scene being performed.' LaBella claimed that Costner did not call out 'action' or 'cut' during the scene, which meant she wasn't aware when it began or ended. She further alleged that neither the film's stunt coordinator or the intimacy coordinator were present during the filming of the impromptu scene or informed it was happening. The impact of the scene took a toll on LaBella, according to her lawsuit, as she allegedly broke down and experienced 'reminders of shame, humiliation and complete lack of control.' LaBella claimed that it was 'awkward' when she returned to set after taking several days off and that she was allegedly told to stay off set and remain in her trailer alone. She also claimed that those involved in the production 'made excuses' for Costner throughout the remainder of the shoot. LaBella claims that the onset incident has left her 'with permanent trauma that she will be required to address for years to come.' She said she began suffering from 'sleep disturbance, fears of intimacy' and 'anxiety,' which drove her to seek the help of a therapist in June 2023. 'On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism. What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry,' she shared in a statement to PEOPLE on Tuesday. 'As I continue performing and step into my journey of stunt coordination, I operate with a fierce commitment to upholding the highest standards, creating sets where safety, communication, and consent are non-negotiable. 'This experience has ignited in me a lifelong mission to be the advocate I once needed, ensuring no one else is ever left as vulnerable as I was.' LaBella's attorney James A. Vagnini called the lawsuit 'emblematic of what is still a very deep rooted issue in Hollywood.' LaBella's other attorney Kate McFarlane added that the 'case is a clear example of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood movie production. 'Our client was subjected to brutal sexual conduct completely unprotected from the obvious harm. This happened despite the fact that there exists standards of conduct and behavior specifically designed to protect people like Devyn LaBella,' McFarlane concluded.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
50 Wild Photos Of Celebs With Their Stunt Doubles That Made Me Do A Double-Take (See What I Did There?)
Samuel L. Jackson's stunt double from Secret Invasion. Gerard Binks / Getty Images, Des Willia /Marvel Entertainment/Disney+ / Courtesy Everett Collection must be so weird looking at your double, like Taylor Lautner is doing with his double from Tracers below. you can see The Rock and his stunt double, Tanoai Reed (his cousin!), for Pain And Gain. Johansson actually had a male stunt double for Fly Me to the Moon! Here they are together. You can see a better photo here. Patriot Pics / BACKGRID, Sony Pictures Releasing / Courtesy Everett Collection Brad Pitt played a stunt double in Once Upon a Hollywood, it's kind of funny to see his double for the film. Margot Robbie's stunt double from Barbie! This may be Emma Eastwood, who did double for Margot, but I think it's more likely a separate stunt double. Ryan Gosling's stand-in for Barbie, Adam Hart, vs. Gosling himself. Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin / GC Images via Getty Images, Warner Bos. /Courtesy Everett Collection of Ryan, here he is with his stunt driver from The Fall Guy, Logan Holladay. Nicole Kidman and her body double from The Undoing, who seems to be Aline Mayne. can see Melissa McCarthy's stunt double from Thunder Force, Luci Romberg, below. Hopper Stone / Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection are the stunt doubles for Harry, Umbridge, and Hermione from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix versus the actors. a comparison where you can see Ron, too. not Johnny Depp in The Tourist in that first photo — that's his double. That's Depp on the right there. Daniele Venturelli / WireImage via Getty Images, Peter Mountain/Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection isn't Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man either on the left, no matter how much he may look like him! Mark Mainz / Getty Images, Columbia / courtesy Everett Collection here's his double from Spider-Man 3. you can see Andrew Garfield in his Spidey suit next to two of his stuntmen while filming The Amazing Spider-Man 2. = can spot Garfield with another Spidey double here. Related: 23 Celebrity Couples Who Revealed Intimate Details About Their Lives That Literally No One Asked For isn't Robert Pattinson on the left filming The Batman – it's his double. Pattinson is on the right. MEGA / GC Images via Getty Images, Jonathan Olley / Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection close, but those two guys on the left aren't Harrison Ford and Shia LaBeouf from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. They're the doubles. Bobby Bank / WireImage via Getty Images, Lucasfilm Ltd. You can see another comparison of them here. Bobby Bank / WireImage via Getty Images, Lucasfilm Ltd. out Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss in The Hunger Games next to her stunt double. You can see Lawrence's stunt double, Renae Moneymaker, closer-up here. Special Features / Via Lionsgate a recent example, here's Danielle Brooks and her Minecraft stunt double! Jessica Chastain's double for The 355. of the men below played John Wick in the third film — but the one on the left is a stunt double. Bobby Bank/GC Images via Getty Images, Summit Entertainment / Via You can see another shot of Reeves and his Wick double here, though I'm not sure it's the same one. Related: "Rude, Crass, Entitled Piece Of Garbage": People Are Revealing Their Best And Worst Celebrity Encounters, And These Are Genuinely Soooo Fascinating of Keanu, here's his double from The Matrix Resurrections, with Keanu on the right. BACKGRID, Murray Close / Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection Jason Momoa from Fast his stunt double on the left. CREDITCobra Team / BACKGRID, Universal Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection is Chris Evans's stuntman from Captain America: Civil War next to the superhero himself. Chad Buchanan / GC Images via Getty Images, Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection guy on the left is definitely not Brad Pitt — but he did stand in for him in Burn After Reading. James Devaney / WireImage via Getty Images, Focus Features / courtesy Everett Collection another Brad Pitt double, this time from Wolves, alongside Pitt in the film. Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin / GC Images, Gotham / GC Images via Getty Images out Javier Bardem and his stunt double for Lyle Lyle Crocodile. Daniel Craig's stunt double in Spectre. What, you didn't think he was filming all those intense stunts, did you? can see a much better example of Craig's double in these photos from the set of No Time To Die. Hugo Weaving and his double from Cloud Atlas. Jordan Bridges' stunt double from WeCrashed. It's actually freaky how much they look alike. contrast, Ben Stiller's stunt double from Happy Gilmore 2, Greg Fitzpatrick, doesn't look much like him. Phoenix's Two Lovers double, Bob Colletti, also looks nothing like him. Bobby Bank / WireImage via Getty Images, Magnolia Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection Michelle Pfeiffer's body double from Stardust — and Pfeiffer in the film. Niki Nikolova / FilmMagic via Getty Images, Paramount / courtesy Everett Collection more Nicole Kidman body double! Check out her body double from Australia. Kidman wasn't shooting anything on horseback as she'd recently given birth. another Nicole Kidman stunt double, this time from The Interpreter, though I think she looks more like Naomi Watts meets Hilary Swank. Nicole's on the right. James Devaney / WireImage, Universal / courtesy Everett Collection more Brad Pitt double, though I think he'd be better for Sebastian one's from The Counselor. Simon James / FilmMagic via Getty Images, TOE/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images via Getty Images You can see a photo of them together here. you can see Amy Schumer and her doubles for Kinda Pregnant. if you haven't seen the show, you probably know Rami Malek stars in Mr. Robot. Here he is with his stunt double. Abbie Cornish and her stunt double from The Dark Fields. Michael Shamus Wiles' stunt double Ian Eyre from Justified. Jim Caviezel's Person of Interest stunt double. Bobby Bank / WireImage via Getty Images, Giovanni Rufino / CBS / courtesy Everett Collection Zeeko Zaki's FBI stunt double, David Pope. Zaki's on the right. Bobby Bank / GC Images via Getty Images, Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images via Getty Images it back for a Ethel Merman can be seen with two of her stunt doubles for It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World: Helen Thurston and Donna Rumsey. is Dick Ziker and his stunt double, Robert Urich from VEGA$. you can see Wolf Larson and Lydie Denier's stunt doubles (Sonny Surowiec and Melissa Stubbs) from the old Tarzan TV show. Hunt's stunt double from The Mating of Millie wasn't a kid at all — it was Billy Curtis (left), who had a long Hollywood career as an actor himself. finally, this isn't from a movie or TV show, but it's still pretty funny to see – here's Lil Jon and two of his body doubles for his "What U Gon' Do" music video. 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