Kate Boyer may not be a household name just yet, but when a seasoned actress who does her own stunts comes to light, sooner or later, everyone takes notice.
Boyer also doubles for many of Hollywood’s leading ladies. Most recently she’s swung from a helicopter across downtown L.A. (Spider-Man Homecoming, out this July!), she’s been lit on fire multiple times, and completed life-threatening chase scenes on motorcycles! Her most recent work as a double was on TV’s Leathal Weapon reboot and the Christmas blockbuster Patriot’s Day (on DVD this April) starring Mark Wahlberg, and she’s co-starring as an actress this month on the CBS series Blue Bloods starring Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, and Bridget Moynahan.
Here is what she had to say in this brief Q&A:
When did you first become interested in acting and stunt work? Did you always think of it as a career choice or was it more of a hobby at first?
- In 8th grade NAS’ “I can” was released. “I know I can be what I wanna be, if I work hard at it, I’ll be where I wanna be”. I played that album on repeat until my CD player stopped working. I knew from an early age that acting was my calling, but I was completely unaware of how to get involved. One day I snuck into a SAG meeting and started randomly asking people, “How do you become an actor?” By the way, I had no idea what SAG was. For the longest time, I thought it was an agency! They told me to get involved with community theater and start doing background work, so I did. I did theater in Philly and took the train to New York for background work. It was through that I found my way into PA’ing on set and discovered stunt work while on a show called “Rescue Me.” It wasn’t the conventional route. I didn’t have anyone to tell me what was what, so in return it gave me a unique set of skills in understanding how film works. Most importantly, I learned that the actor is just a small part of a huge team of hardworking people.
When did you get your first break or sign that you were on the right path?
- It’s been a wild path, one of my first signs was landing a gig signing with a Rockabilly band in NY called ‘Drop The Lime’ a month after I moved to NY. It was like the universe gifted me for taking the leap from Philly. Leap and the net will appear. I sang with them while going to acting school and training/ networking in the stunt community until I landed my first job in the Ben Stiller film, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. From there, my stunt career took off. Shortly after, I landed my first acting role on a pilot.
What is your advice for other women wanting to pursue this career?
- Never forget your roots. It’s so easy in Los Angeles to forget our beginnings, but that’s something I refuse to forget. I really want to share my story and remind actors that this doesn’t happen overnight. Believe in yourself and never give up.
Most people don’t think of actors as businesswomen, but in fact, you are your business! How do you approach running your personal brand?
- Blood sweat and tears. I have the personality to never take a break so training myself to relax was most important for my brand’s self growth. Good work comes from a relaxed state and people don’t want to be around a stressed negative person.
If I do have a day with no work or auditions I set my alarm for 8 hours and find things to do for my craft and business, when those 8 hours are up I’m off the clock! I also have social media profiles to communicate with fans, and I’m working with a PR firm to help take my branding to the next level. They are fantastic!
What are some of the biggest successes to date in your career?
- Recently, I appeared in an episode of Blue Bloods. I also have something coming out I’m excited to share but can’t just yet! I’ve done stunts in films such as Patriots Day, The Amazing Spider Man 2, and the show Sons of Anarchy. Currently, I have an Expedia commercial airing nationally. It first aired during the Presidential inauguration and then during the Super Bowl halftime show. It’s a spot where Expedia sent me around the world and filmed me in scenarios that showcased current world problems. It was the time of my life.
Was there ever a moment where you considered giving up? What kept you going?
- I remember when I first moved out here, I was reading about how a few actresses got their start and it all looked like it was overnight! But I quickly reminded myself that this wasn’t something that happened overnight. I was incredibly down in the dumps surviving off my last few dollars when I received a letter from my mom which read, “Everyone gets to the same destination on their own path. Everybody has their own trail.” It’s a message that has stuck with me to this day.
We hear you are interested in nutrition and have plans to open a juicery. What are your goals with this endeavor?
- I grew up in a part of Philadelphia where there weren’t always healthy food options. Nutrition is more than just weight. It’s about eating healthy and feeling good. I have plans to open a juicery where I grew up and expand from there over the next few years. I’d also really like to speak at schools in low-income areas and discuss the importance of health and nutrition to students.
What’s are three words you use to describe yourself.
- Inspiring, empowering and underdog.
- You’ll just have to wait and see!
-
