Paul Weston (Stuntman)
By: Anders Frejdh
Published:
2006-07-01
Stuntman and stunt coordinator who has worked on 10 James Bond films
The first time I was fortunate to meet the talented Paul Weston was at the 8th edition of Autographica in June 2006.
Paul is a very friendly and kind man who offered his courage, skills and talent for no less than 10 James Bond films (stunt performer on
Casino Royale (1967),
Live and Let Die,
The Man with the Golden Gun,
The Spy Who Loved Me,
Moonraker (1979),
For Your Eyes Only,
Octopussy (1983) and most recently in
Skyfall (2012). Paul also acted as stunt coordinator/supervisor on both
The Living Daylights and
Licence to Kill). In my eyes, Paul is very much part of the success for the 007 film series.
Paul told me he was trained as an engineer, and worked in a factory in north London, but was becoming more and more frustrated with the direction of his life. He was 23 years old and had been happily married for one year to his childhood sweetheart. He said he felt he needed to expand, do something that was more satisfying:
"I knew that the Evening newspaper had two pages of job vacancies and that there were positions for engineers on the pipe lines in Alaska and on the Gold Coast of Africa. I opened the two pages of vacancies, closed my eyes and promised myself that whatever vacancy my finger fell on, I would pursue it until they said 'NO' and threw me out! So with my eyes shut tight I circled my hand over the newspaper, hesitated as I knew that this could change my life, and dropped my finger onto the page.
To my disgust the advert read 'The London School of Charm' requires models ; Leicester Square London! It was the last thing I would have chosen, but to be true to myself I had to follow it up. I went for an interview and they didn't say 'No' and so started my career as a model and onto become a stuntman.
I'm really grateful, but it leaves me to wonder, what my life would have been if my finger had dropped 1/2 an inch to the left or right!"
Since 2006, I have met Paul at various occasions over the years. He is a great guy to be around with many great stories (like most of the stunt guys I have been privileged to meet).
Visit
Paul Weston's official website to learn more about him and his successful film career.
This article was first published by Anders Frejdh in July 2006 and last updated in April 2013.
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