Mike Massa

Mike Massa born February 8 1968 is a stunt performer coordinator and secondunit director with a career spanning over three decades He was born in Frankfurt Germany Standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall Massa has become a prominent figure in the stunt industry He began his career in the early 1990s performing stunts in various television series and films Massa gained significant recognition as the main stunt double for David Boreanaz in the fantasy series Angel 19992004 where he also served as a stunt coordinator for 63 episodes His exceptional work on the show earned him a nomination for an American Choreography Award in 2002 for Outstanding Achievement in Fight Choreography for the episode A New World Massas film credits are extensive including work as a stunt performer and coordinator in major productions such as Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens Blade Runner 2049 Captain America The Winter Soldier Iron Man 3 and The Fate of the Furious Notably he served as a stunt double for Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Blade Runner 2049 In 2004 Massa received the Taurus World Stunt Award for Best Specialty Stunt for his boat work in The Italian Job 2003 where he piloted a white boat during a highspeed chase scene through Venices canals This sequence was directed by Alexander Witt and coordinated by Gary Hymes His contributions to the industry have been recognised with several accolades In 2009 he was among the stunt performers nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull The following year he won the same award as part of the Star Trek stunt crew Additionally in 2010 he received two Taurus World Stunt Award nominations in the categories of Best High Work and Best Specialty Stunt Beyond his onscreen work Massa is a board member of Stunts Unlimited a prestigious organisation of elite stunt professionals He has also endorsed training programs for aspiring stunt performers emphasising the importance of foundational skills and mentorship within the industry In July 2023 Massa made headlines during a SAGAFTRA strike rally in Atlanta Georgia where he performed a live stunt by setting himself on fire while holding a SAGAFTRA on Strike sign This act was intended to draw attention to the challenges faced by stunt performers and to show solidarity with fellow union members