The Academy is now exploring an Oscar class for stunt performers

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences may be taking the first steps to making a new category for stunt performers, which many have wanted for years.

While the Screen Actors Guild unveiled a Stunt Ensemble award in 2007 and the Emmys debuted their stunt performer award in 2021, the Oscars have yet to acknowledge these unsung heroes of the silver screen.

During the 96th Oscars in March, The Fall Guy stars Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt presented a tribute to some of cinema’s all-time great stunt performers, and they have mentioned in press interviews that they would like to see stunt Oscars.

Now it seems that may actually be happening, with Empire reporting that Academy CEO Bill Kramer has said it’s been discussed.

‘We’re talking to members of the stunt community who are Academy members about the possibility of that,’ Kramer said during an interview at Cannes. 

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences may be taking the first steps to making a new category for stunt performers, which many have wanted for years

During the 96th Oscars in March, The Fall Guy stars Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt presented a tribute to some of cinema’s all-time great stunt performers, and they have mentioned in press interviews that they would like to see stunt Oscars

Now it seems that may actually be happening, with Empire reporting that Academy CEO Bill Kramer has said it’s been discussed

‘We added a new award that will launch in two years for Casting Directors, so we’re always open to those discussions,’ he added.

Much like a stunt performer Oscar, a casting director Oscar had been lobbied for by many film fans for years, and now it seems a stunt Oscar may be a reality soon.

Academy president Janet Yang added, ‘The Academy is like a living, breathing organism.’

‘We listen to our members, and if there’s really strong support and there’s whole mechanisms for how to advance the cause, and they’re interested,’ she continued.

‘That’s what happened with Casting. We’ve created new branches over the decades. So it does evolve, and it evolves with the changing industry,’ she said.

The Casting Director Oscar was announced in late February, marking the first new Oscar in 22 years, since the Best Animated Feature was announced in 2002.

‘As the Academy evolves, we are proud to add casting to the disciplines that we recognise and celebrate,’ Yang said in a statement back in February.

‘We congratulate our casting directors branch members on this exciting milestone and for their commitment and diligence throughout this process,’ she added.

‘We added a new award that will launch in two years for Casting Directors, so we’re always open to those discussions,’ he added

Much like a stunt performer Oscar, a casting director Oscar had been lobbied for by many film fans for years, and now it seems a stunt Oscar may be a reality soon.

‘That’s what happened with Casting. We’ve created new branches over the decades. So it does evolve, and it evolves with the changing industry,’ she said

The first Casting Director Oscars will be handed out in 2026, though it’s unclear when the Academy may be ready to announce a stunt Oscar.

It’s also unclear if the award will be for a singular stunt performers or for full stunt ensembles.

The Emmy award acknowledges both singular stunt performers and stunt teams, all in the same category.

The first stunt Emmy went to Lateef Crowder for his work on The Mandalorian in 2021, and he would win a second as part of a team on the same show in 2023. 

The SAG award honors stunt ensembles, with