“Some people like to sleep in, and some people like to wake up and do things. I like to wake up and do things.”

The key to success in the stunt world, says Hollywood action star Tara Macken, is to be an all-rounder. Tara’s resume is testament to that philosophy. Raised in the jungles of Borneo, Tara’s adventurous spirit started at a young age. It has remained with her throughout her professional career, where she has found work as a dancer, gymnast, model, actor and stunt performer with over 100 films and TV credits to her name. She is a leading name in the action community, known for her fighting and martial arts skills, and doubling huge movie stars like Tessa Thompson, Rosie Perez and Eva Longoria. An incredibly versatile performer, Tara moves between stunt work on hit TV shows like Westworld and films including The Hunger Games, John Wick: Chapter 3, Birds of Prey and the new Mortal Kombat film, to playing Bugs Bunny in a sequel to Space Jam, and stepping behind the camera to work as a stunt coordinator, fight choreographer and trainer. She now has her eyes set on joining the rising number of female stunt coordinators operating in Hollywood, following a path set by her friends and colleagues Zoë Bell and Heidi Moneymaker, determined to redress the balance in the industry and eventually move into main unit directing. In an already long list of amazing achievements, we can’t wait to see what Tara will accomplish next. This conversation was recorded in London prior to the UK government lockdown caused by the coronavirus. Keep up-to-date with all the latest Tara Macken news by following her on Instagram.

Rosie Perez and Tara Macken during the filming of Birds of Prey (2020).

Tessa Thompson with her long-running stunt double, Tara Macken, filming Men in Black: International (2019).

Tara Macken and Margot Robbie, playing Harley Quinn during the filming of Birds of Prey (2020).

Tara Macken and Ben Johnson, host of the Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast.