Arnold Slams Academy of Motion Pictures!
Movie Stuntmen get a Raw Deal!
Reported By: TheARNOLDFANS.com Staff
Thursday, June 30, 2005

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger came out swinging on behalf of Hollywood stuntmen, slamming a decision by Oscar organizers not to recognize the unsung heroes of cinema. The surprisingly direct attack came a week after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences rejected a proposal to create a new Oscar statuette to honor the achievements of stunt coordinators.

"I was deeply disappointed by the failure of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences once again to recognize stuntmen and women and their great contribution to the film industry," said Schwarzenegger.

"I know firsthand the value of these dedicated professionals, and without them there would be no action heroes. In fact, there would be no movies," the star of such stunt-heavy flicks as "Terminator" and "True Lies" said.

"Stunt coordinators are responsible for every piece of action in a film, making films more exciting and drawing the audience in," he said, calling for the Academy to create a new category to recognize stunt coordinators.

The Academy's board of governors on June 20 denied the stuntmen's request for coordinators of the eye-catching feats to be made eligible for a golden statuette.

"The Board is simply not prepared to institute any new annual awards categories," said Academy President Frank Pierson, explaining that the Academy was instead trying to cut down on the number of awards.

The 78-year-old Academy has introduced only two new awards in the past 25 years.

But Schwarzenegger noted that the top awards body had created a new category for technical achievements, which are not presented on Oscars night but rather at a special ceremony beforehand, and suggested that the governors make a similar gesture to stuntmen.

"It is my hope they will reconsider their decision and honor stunt coordinators in the same way," the 57-year-old California governor said.

The superstar politician's intervention in the debate is likely to give the stuntmen a leg up in their 15-year battle for Oscar recognition.