Bobby 'Hollywood' Hanton

Bobby Holland-Hanton. Not perhaps a name that The Zone’s usual readers might recognise at first glance. Indeed, nor is it a name that most internet surfers or regular news followers could generally differentiate. This is because a man like Bobby Holland-Hanton isn’t supposed to be recognisable. Not even when he’s driving motorcycles along the rooftops of Istanbul in the highest grossing British blockbuster of all time: Skyfall. Bobby Holland-Hanton is a stuntman, one of Hollywood’s most dynamic stuntmen at that… And it all started with gymnastics. Bobby grew up to a background of sport, practi ing gymnastics from the age of 4 and going on to play semi-professional football for Fareham Town by the age of 19. After realising stunts were his ambition, Bobby trained hard and got his big break in 2008, when Quantum of Solace coordinators specially requested him for his gymnastic ability; before he was even fully qualified in stunting! Since working with Daniel Craig Bobby hasn’t looked back, appearing in most of the last few years’ biggest blockbusters, including: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Batman: Dark Knight Rises, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 and Inception. He’s also the daredevil behind one of the most interesting television ads of last year, in which he dived into a swimming pool, passing through the open doors of a car on the way. Bobby has even found time to create and earn a Guinness World Record, for most consecutive back somersaults with a ball, before throwing said ball through a basketball hoop. He’s worked hard to get to where he is, but compliments gymnastics as a basis for his success: “It's a regimental thing that stemmed from the gymnastics days. Once I know that I have a goal to achieve, I like to have a routine, and that's pretty much set six days per week. We'll train in the morning, shoot in the afternoon, and eat small amounts every few hours. It's rigorous and hard, but we benefit in the end.” So how can a young gymnast get themselves into the stunt game? It seems through lots of hard work, determination and sporting experience. Stunt performers are required to gain qualifications in at least 6 skills, which may range from martial arts to horse riding to trampolining. Aspiring stunters are advised to commit themselves to their training for years as all skills have to be polished to high levels, for example a brown belt is the minimum requirement to gain a qualification in martial arts. Familiarity in front of the camera is also a must, with 60 days on-set experience a key requirement for qualification. Bobby Holland-Hanton is a gymnast turned Hollywood superstar, he is in himself an example that a passion for gymnastics can lead to one of the most exciting careers in the world. Keeping this in mind, we at The Zone would like to encourage anyone to use Bobby as an example and see how far they can take their gymnastics! For interviews with Bobby Holland-Hanton click here or here For more information on a career in stunt performing click here A collection of Bobby’s best stunts of 2012 (above)