Julie Michaels
From dangling 100 feet in the air, to riding horseback, to dancing with Patrick Swayze to setting up Jason Voorhees, Julie Michaels has done it all...and this gorgeous woman isn't stopping now. See what goes on behind the scenes as KAHR interviews. . . "Julie Michaels"
Marcus::
When you're not dangling from a helicopter 1000 feet in the air or being chased
by a supped up Kane Hodder, What do you like to do? Tell me what the very
attractive Julie Michael's likes to do.
Julie::
Great Question! I love martial arts. My Sensei, Benny
"The" Jet Urquidez, makes studying like going to church. It
teaches me from the inside out. Kindness rules!!!!
Marcus:: What got you interested in the acting business?
Julie::
Funny, but I really don't know. I guess it is where I feel best at
contributing!
Marcus:: Did you always want to be an actress or did you want to be a stunt double?
Julie:: I did not grow up wanting to be an actress or a stunt performer. I was
very unattractive and a little self conscious. I loved riding horses and
gymnastics and thought I would become a teacher.
Marcus:: Which was your true passion?
Julie:: They both "feed" me. I love the art of acting, and the humility
of stunt work. When you double someone, you are doing all you can to make
them look incredible. There is great satisfaction in that! I guess I
look at both as "contributing" to the end product. I have
recently started writing and producing as well, which also brings great rewards.
Marcus:: How does it feel working as a stunt double in a field usually dominated by
men?
Julie:: Okay, you got me giggling! I love a challenge. I also LOVE
men, and the two make for a great combination. Making a coordinator look
great is the issue. If there is a man who can do my stunts, in that mini
skirt and high heels better, I say "go to it". But until you
find me a man who can flip in high heels and look better in the costume than I
do, I feel pretty safe.
Marcus:: What is it like doing all these crazy stunts and furthermore, what got you
INTO doing stunts?
Julie:: I "fell" into it!
Marcus:: Being a stunt double isn't probably the safest job in the world, you must
have had several accidents, what are some of the things that have happened when
the stunts go wrong? How many bones have you broken altogether and what's the
WORST thing that happened?
Julie:: Well, I've broken my back, my foot, and blown out my ankle. Not bad,
for 12 years in the business.
Marcus:: Do you ever say what have I gotten myself into while doing some of these
stunts like your helicopter scene in Barb Wire?
Julie::
The helicopter stunt was for "VIP", and yes!!!! There have been
a few times where those very words ran through my brain, but I use fear as a
motivator and not as a hindrance. Like they say "go big, or go
home"!
Marcus:: What was it like working with Patrick Swayze in "Road House"? Were
there any scenes you were nervous to do or had trouble with?
Julie::
Patrick and his wife Lisa taught me a lot during the filming of "Road
House". Patrick could not have been kinder, and Lisa helped me
through the nudity. Also, the night before the strip scene in the bar, my
boyfriend committed suicide. If it were not for the support of the
producer Joel Silver and the crew, I could have never gotten through that scene.
Marcus:: What is it like killing Jason Voorhees in Jason Goes To
Hell? What was it
like being on the set and knowing that you would be the one who did what all the
people in the previous 8 installments FAILED to do?
Julie::
Let me just tell you, that when it comes to horror movies, I am one big chicken!
Kane Hodder (Jason), scared the living bejeebers out of me!!!!! Also,
I cannot take credit for killing "Jason", I just set him
up...that's what most women do isn't it? I was however, glad to be one of
the few to survive a Friday the 13th film!
Marcus:: Did you really think it would be the final one?
Julie:: No way. Mostly because I was told that they had come up with the idea of
Jason VS Freddy.
Marcus:: What are your thoughts on the new Freddy Vs. Jason movie?
Julie:: I have not seen it. They used a new guy to play Jason, and to me Jason
will always be Kane Hodder.
Marcus:: Are you going to be in it and if you are what inside info can you divulge? If
not, do you think you should be?
Julie:: I am not in it. I was not asked to. I would have loved to be
involved, but only if Kane played Jason.
Marcus:: What was it like doing stunts on Halloween H20? Were there any funny stories
to be told about what went on behind the scenes?
Julie:: I only worked one day on this film. I don't remember much about it to be
honest. It was fun to work for a female stunt coordinator though....Donna
Keegan.
Marcus:: You doubled on Batman Forever back in 1995, what was it like working with
Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones? Are they as funny as people say they are?
Julie:: I did not double anyone on "Batman Forever". That was strictly
an acting role and I played a little part with Don "the Dragon"
Wilson.
Marcus:: You worked with Jeffrey Combs in Doctor Morbid, I have yet to see it but
what can you tell me about it. And what is Jeffrey like? He seems like he would
be a funny guy.
Julie:: Wow, that was a million years ago and again I worked with Brian Thompson not
Jeffrey Combs. I did meet my husband on this film though!
Marcus:: Witchboard 2 is another film I have yet to see and I have heard ALOT about
it. What can you tell me about it and what was it like being in it?
Julie:: Kevin Tenney directed and he was delicious!!!! This was a fun film to work
on. I even had a stunt double! (this was before I ventured into
stunts myself).
Marcus:: What is your favorite role that you have played? What is your dream role?
Julie::
I recently got to play the comic relief for a horror film directed by Denice
Duff called "Vampire Resurrection". The character, Maggie,
sported pink hair and leopard high heels. (It has just been released
to Blockbuster!)
My dream role is to play "Chris Noel" in her life story. She was
a blonde bombshell that went to Vietnam to entertain the troops. After
becoming the "doll" of Vietnam, the VC put a price on her head to take
down the American Princess!
Marcus:: You seem to be in a lot of horror films, did you always have a love for
horror or was it something that grew on you?
Julie:: To be really honest, unless you are Julia Roberts, you don't have a lot of
choice when it comes to roles. You take what you can get. That does
not mean you accept every offer (I have turned down many horror films) but it
does make you a LOT more open.
Marcus:: House of 1000 Corpses just came out, have you seen it? If so, what are your
thoughts on it?
Julie:: I have not seen it.
Marcus:: Your newest movie, HOLES is coming out soon. I have seen the previews for it
and I am going to check it out. What can you tell me about the movie? Any funny
inside stories that go with it?
Julie::
They paid me to ride horses. Outside of the job that had me in a pool
cuddling up to Dean Cain for two days (Rat Race) this was the sweetest money
ever made.
Marcus:: Did you read the book that the movie is based upon? If so, who is your
favorite character?
Julie:: What are you KIDDING? Kiss me Kate of course.
Marcus:: What do we have to look forward to from the beautiful Julie Michael's?
Julie:: I am busy producing the "Chris Noel" story and a pilot for television.
I want to thank the beautiful Julie Michaels for giving me this chance to interview her. She is a great actress and stunt woman and I hope all good things for her :) Holes came out and I urge you all to see it! Also, Julie has a awesome website that gives you up to date info on her and her upcoming film projects! Visit: "www.juliemichaels.com" and check it out!!!