Lane County Native In Hollywood

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Story Published: Dec 22, 2006 at 6:45 PM PST

By Jennifer Winters

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A Lane County native is making a name for himself in Hollywood.

Jody Hart is stunt coordinating, acting and now producing.

What makes this success story unique is his military background that inspired him to help veterans and the on-screen image of the military.

Elaine Hart of Springfield has vivid memories of her son, Jody Hart's, childhood stunts flipping and jumping off things.

"I'd come home and say what's the mattress doing down here by the window."

That energy and agility translated into a Hollywood career.

The Eugene native and 1990 Pleasant Hill high grad has preformed in numerous movies and TV shows as actor and stunt man.

The fact Hart often portrays military characters is no accident. He served 4 years in the Marines. That perspective compelled him to start a casting company that employs veterans.

"I feel by opening up Combat Casting I give them the opportunity."

Visiting his parents in Springfield for the holidays, Hart eagerly shares his work stunt coordinating the movie "Deadwater."

" This is my creation of the stunts"

The thriller is filmed aboard the WWII ship the U.S.S. Lane Victory.

And his latest project is producing a movie called "Poets War."

He also acts in and helped cast the film, with a goal to accurately portray the military.

"It rings true with veterans and if you do it wrong they'll turn off their TV or their movie off."

His father, who served in the Air Force is thrilled his son tapping his military roots.

Jim Hart says "Really proud of him."

So the Marines, the elite branch of the military, gave Hart perceptive, but did it prepare him for Hollywood?

"Stunts maybe, not Hollywood, no."

The first person who will screen "Poets War" is Jerry Bruckheimer who could catapult Jody Hart's career just like Jody use to catapult himself out windows as a kid.

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