Stuntman Paralyzed During Filming “Harry Potter” Tells His Life-Altering Story
David Holmes, the stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe in the “Harry Potter” film series, suffered a life-altering injury while rehearsing a stunt for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.” During this rehearsal in January 2009, Holmes was performing a stunt that required him to be jerked back by a pulley. Tragically, the stunt went awry, and Holmes was pulled back with such force that he hit a wall and broke his neck, resulting in paralysis from the chest down.
This devastating accident occurred when Holmes was only 25 years old, abruptly ending his career as a stunt performer. Before the accident, he had been an integral part of the Harry Potter series from its first installment, not only doubling for Radcliffe’s Harry Potter but also portraying other characters like Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, and Neville Longbottom in various stunt scenes.
The story of David Holmes is now the subject of a documentary titled “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived,” set to premiere on HBO. The documentary, with Daniel Radcliffe serving as the executive producer, aims to capture Holmes’ life before and after the injury. It also seeks to highlight the often-overlooked risks and contributions of stunt performers in the film industry. Holmes, despite not being comfortable with the spotlight, is using this platform to bring attention to the stunt community and to share his personal journey of resilience and adaptation following his injury.
In the documentary, Holmes speaks candidly about the aftermath of his injury, the changes in his life, and the new perspectives he gained. He discusses meeting other individuals who faced similar life-altering experiences, including Will Pike, who was injured in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. The documentary also explores the emotional aspects of such incidents, challenging traditional masculine stereotypes prevalent in stunt culture, and emphasizes the vulnerability and honesty of those who perform these high-risk tasks. Radcliffe, in his collaboration with Holmes, seeks to tell a story that is not only about the stuntman’s accident but also about hope, resilience, and the human capacity to adapt and find meaning in the face of adversity.
David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived is on Sky Documentaries and Now from 18 November in the UK and on HBO on 15 November in the US.