Rémy Julienne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rémy Julienne
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Rémy Julienne in 2009
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| Born | 17 April 1930 |
| Died | 21 January 2021 (aged 90) Amilly, France
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| Occupation | Stunt coordinator, stunt performer |
Rémy Julienne (born April 17, 1930 – died January 21, 2021) was a famous French stunt performer. He was known for his amazing driving stunts in movies. Rémy also worked as a stunt coordinator, helping plan and direct action scenes. Sometimes, he even acted a little! Before his film career, he was a champion in rallycross and motocross racing in France.
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Early Life and First Stunts
Rémy Julienne was born in 1930 in a town called Cepoy, France. His parents owned a café. During World War II, when he was a boy, some kids dared him to ride his bicycle across a local canal. This challenge sparked his interest in riding and led him to discover motocross.
Becoming a Stunt Legend
From Champion Rider to Film Stunts
In his early twenties, Rémy became the French motocross champion in 1957. This caught the eye of a well-known stunt coordinator named Gil Delamare. Rémy's first time on screen was in 1964, filling in for actor Jean Marais. In 1966, he played a German army motorcyclist in the movie La Grande Vadrouille.
Taking Over and The Italian Job
Sadly, Gil Delamare died in a stunt accident in 1966. Rémy Julienne then took over his contracts with film studios. Rémy was very scientific in how he planned stunts. He created amazing scenes that impressed everyone in the film world. This was before computers could create special effects.
He started working on French movies and TV shows. He also worked on some Hollywood films that were shot in Europe. His reputation grew, and he was hired for the British film The Italian Job. The producer, Michael Deeley, said that Rémy wanted to make the car chase even more exciting than they had imagined. Rémy suggested many thrilling stunts for the script.
Rémy planned and managed all the vehicle scenes in the movie. This included the famous Mini car chase through the streets and rooftops of Turin, Italy.
Very often people ask, ‘what was my favourite stunt?’ I’d say the jump between the two Fiat factory roofs must be the one, because it was emotional, because it was difficult. We worked on the ground, we prepared the ramps, calculated distances, speeds etc. [Originally] it was decided I had to do three separate jumps in each Mini. I explained that, as the roof was very wide, we could make the three Minis jump all together… it looked much better as a shot. It was more complicated, but really amazing.
James Bond and Beyond
After The Italian Job, Rémy became the top choice for vehicle stunt coordination in Hollywood. He is best known for his work on six James Bond movies. Five of these were directed by John Glen. Rémy became famous for making regular cars do incredible things in Bond films.
For example, he made a Citroën 2CV do amazing stunts in For Your Eyes Only. He also made a Renault 11 perform incredible feats in A View to a Kill. In Licence to Kill, a large Kenworth fuel tanker did a wheelie! Director John Glen said the tanker chase was the most dangerous scene he ever planned. He also noted that Rémy was very careful in his preparations.
Rémy Julienne worked on over 1,400 films during his career. His stunt scenes often involved high-speed chases and very realistic car movements. French car makers like Renault and Citroën often hired him for their TV ads. He also worked closely with the Italian car company Fiat in the 1980s. In 2005, a French TV station asked him to help with a remake of the 1970s show Starsky and Hutch.
Focus on Stunt Safety
In 1999, during the filming of Taxi 2, an accident happened during a stunt. A cameraman was killed, and his assistant was seriously hurt. This tragic event highlighted the extreme importance of safety in stunt work. Rémy Julienne was involved in the investigation that followed. The accident led to important discussions about how stunts are planned and performed to keep everyone safe on set.
Rémy Julienne later opened a school in France. This school teaches drivers and mechanics the special skills needed for stunt work. He also helped create the Moteurs... Action! Stunt Show Spectacular attraction at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris.
Rémy's sons, Michel and Dominique, are also skilled stunt drivers and coordinators. They now continue the family business.
Death
Rémy Julienne passed away on January 21, 2021. He had been hospitalized in Amilly, France, and died from COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in France.
