Interview with Actress Julie Michaels

I recently interviewed actress Julie Michaels.

Bell: You played the role of Denise in the film "Road House," which starred Patrick Swayze. What was it like working with Patrick Swayze, one of the most sought-after men in Hollywood? Were you even a little nervous about the scenes with him?

Michaels: Patrick was so wonderful! And the softest lips ever, girls!!! I was a little nervous to kiss him, but his wife Lisa really helped. She was a seasoned actress and gave me a lot of great advice and acceptance. I really appreciated her help. She is lucky....to have those lips!!

Bell: You were also in a "Friday the 13th" movie. You were the one who set Jason up, which led to his final capture. What was it like being on the set with one of the most feared villains in the history of films? And were you ever at one time convinced in your mind, at least for a short time, that Jason was real, and were you afraid?

Michaels: I had no doubt he was real! Kane Hodder was the scariest person I had ever met! I still do not know how I did not die of a heart attack, when he jumped out from behind a door to “spook me.” I believe I could have run the 50 yard dash in record time/111

Bell: Did you become acquainted with the man Kane Hodder, who played the role of Jason Voorhees, the man who never seemed to die? What is he like?

Michaels: I really respect Kane, and have offered his name to producers on many of occasions. He is a great actor and brings great energy to every role. I also really like him as a person. He has done many great things for people.

Bell: What was your most exciting film, some of the most exciting scenes, and why?

Michaels: Fighting Keanu Reeves in “Point Break” was pretty amazing. You try fighting him when you are completely nude! Sorry about the black eye Keanu!!! :)

Bell: You are also involved in stunt work. You bravely perform some of the most dangerous, daring stunts, a task of which majority of people are afraid, such as hanging from a helicopter, and fight scenes, standing up to and fighting tough men during some of the films. What is it like being able to perform those stunts?

Michaels: Well, I definitely feel humbled to have been in the company of Hollywood’s top stunt performers!!!I think people have the wrong idea about them. They are the most humble, intelligent, and brilliant people in the industry. They care and are many times put in the position to handle other peoples safety. Not just other stunt perfomers and actors but crew as well. It is an amazing feeling to be a part of something so dangerous and yet so safe. It reminds me how great God is!

Bell: You played a small role in the well-known "Batman Returns" movie, which starred Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey. Did you have a chance to get to know any of the actors off the set of the "Batman Returns?" And you also performed stuntwork in the movie "The Scorpion King," which starred "The Rock." What amazing feats did you perform for that movie?

Michaels: Well if fighting Keanu was not big enough, I got to mess with Dwayne “The Rock”. He was awesome!!! Hey folks this guy is the real deal!!! As far as "Batman" goes, I actually got to work with “The Governator” “Arnold” more in “Batman and Robin”(I played Jane). Also with the lovely Uma Thurman! She rocks!

Bell: You were involved in stuntwork on one of the greatest movies of all time: "Titanic." What stunts did you perform in that movie, and did you become acquainted, off the set, with any of the actors or the producer James Cameron?

Michaels: I look back at the filming of “Titanic” as the worst experience of my career. I’ve never seen so many stunt performers get injured. It was almost a daily occurrence. When we wrapped, I did not even wait for the van to take us back, I hitched a ride all the way home from Mexico!!!

Bell: Would you like to share some of your experiences as a stunt woman? For example, have you ever received any injuries that were life threatening, or any other type of injuries?

Michaels: Injuries are a part of being a stunt performer. My worst was when I broke my back and neck doubling Pamela Anderson.

Bell: What was the most challenging scene for you as a stunt woman and why? Were there any moments in which you were terrified and wished that there was a way out?

Michaels: While filming “Rat Race,” a helicopter came so close to the stuntman and myself, that my hair got caught in the tail rotor. I remember thinking I knew exactly how Vic Morrow felt before he was beheaded on “The Twilight Zone.”

Bell: As a stuntwoman, are there any "bad guy" actors which you would like the opportunity to stand up to, in any film, and why? Anyone that would would like the chance to "take on?"

Michaels: Interesting question.....actually I would like to fight Jackie Chan and Sensei Benny “The Jet”!!

Bell: Any behind the scenes/ memorable moments that grasped your memory, both on and off the sets of any of the movies, both as a talented actress and a fearless stunt woman?

Michaels: Let’s just clear one thing up first....I am not fearless. I am scared every time I work. But I use fear as a motivator!!!

Okay, with that said.....recently we shot the final season episode of “ER” in which they recreated 20 people falling through three floors of a balcony. This was one of the most complex stunts I had ever been a part of, and one of the most dangerous. Everyone was nervous, but we all gathered together and prayed before the stunt! We did the stunt, and, outside of some scratches, no one got hurt!! The power of prayer...and good stunt coordination!!!!!:)

Bell: Anything else you would like to share with us? When you are not working, doing the seemingly impossible stuntwork in which you participate, what type of activities do you prefer to occupy your free time?

Michaels: I like doing really scary things like gardening and cooking!!! :) Gotta have balance.

I would like to thank Julie Michaels for allowing me to interview her.