The Man Behind The Stunts - Bronson Steele
From the quiet town of Wellsford to the heart- pounding world of film stunts, Bronson Steele has carved out an extraordinary career filled with adrenaline, precision, and adventure.
With decades of experience under his belt, Bronson has worked as a stunt professional on countless productions, taken on some of the most physically demanding stunts, and rubbed shoulders with Hollywood’s biggest names. But how did it all begin?
Bronson’s journey into the stunt world started early. “I did gymnastics from about the age of five,” he recalls. “Competing in gym competitions really helped with body coordination and aerial awareness. I have to credit my gym coach, Ron Jenkins, for teaching me to flip off any object.” This foundation in movement, paired with karate training, prepared him for the complex fight choreography he would later master in his stunt career.
His first professional stunt job came on Xena: Warrior Princess - thanks in part to a friend in the Makeup Department who passed on his CV. The call came while he was in Christchurch, with instructions to be on set in Auckland at 6am the next day. “I booked a flight that night and up I went,” he says. “There was some background fighting to do, nothing major for my first day, but it was my foot in the door.” From that moment, Bronson’s career gained momentum, leading to hundreds of productions across New Zealand and globally.
For a stunt professional, no two days are the same. “First, you get a script and break down the stunt scenes,” he explains. “Once you know how many people are required and what equipment is needed, you rehearse. If it looks good, you record it and show the director. If they like it, great. If not, they might tweak it - or change it completely.” Above all, safety is paramount. “We use a lot of safety mats and take every precaution to make sure everything goes as planned.”
Some of Bronson’s most gruelling stunts came while working on The Hobbit. “We had to wear these padded suits under our costumes that weighed close to 20kg,” he says. “With the sun beating down on us during big running scenes, we were near cooked.” Car crashes are another challenge, requiring meticulous timing and precision. “Seeing all that rehearsal pay off in the final cut makes it all worthwhile.”
Bronson has travelled the world for his craft, with jobs taking him across New Zealand, Rarotonga, the UK, Spain, and Australia. Over the years, he has shared sets with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Jack Black (King Kong and Minecraft), Ryan Gosling (Young Hercules), Robert Redford (Pete’s Dragon), Anthony Hopkins (The World's Fastest Indian), Jason Momoa (Chief of War, Minecraft, and Wrecking Crew), Chris Hemsworth (Furiosa), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman 1984), and many more.
For those dreaming of a career in stunts, Bronson offers sage advice: “It’s a tough industry to break into, but if you’re committed, you need to be physically fit. A background in martial arts, gymnastics, horse riding, or vehicle driver training is a huge asset. And sometimes, it’s about being in the right place at the right time.”
Now, while he may not throw himself around quite as much as he used to, Bronson remains active in the industry. “I still like to get into the action when I can,” he says with a grin. After all, once you’ve spent a lifetime in motion, slowing down isn’t an option.