Mike Massa
Biography
Mike Massa (born February 8, 1968) is a stunt performer, coordinator, and second-unit director with a career spanning over three decades. He was born in Frankfurt, Germany. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall, Massa has become a prominent figure in the stunt industry. He began his career in the early 1990s, performing stunts in various television series and films. Massa gained significant recognition as the main stunt double for David Boreanaz in the fantasy series "Angel" (1999–2004), where he also served as a stunt coordinator for 63 episodes. His exceptional work on the show earned him a nomination for an American Choreography Award in 2002 for Outstanding Achievement in Fight Choreography for the episode "A New World". Massa's film credits are extensive, including work as a stunt performer and coordinator in major productions such as "Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens," "Blade Runner 2049," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Iron Man 3," and "The Fate of the Furious." Notably, he served as a stunt double for Harrison Ford in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" and "Blade Runner 2049". In 2004, Massa received the Taurus World Stunt Award for Best Specialty Stunt for his boat work in "The Italian Job" (2003), where he piloted a white boat during a high-speed chase scene through Venice's canals. This sequence was directed by Alexander Witt and coordinated by Gary Hymes. His contributions to the industry have been recognised with several accolades. In 2009, he was among the stunt performers nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture for "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." The following year, he won the same award as part of the "Star Trek" stunt crew. Additionally, in 2010, he received two Taurus World Stunt Award nominations in the categories of Best High Work and Best Specialty Stunt. Beyond his on-screen work, Massa is a board member of Stunts Unlimited, a prestigious organisation of elite stunt professionals. He has also endorsed training programs for aspiring stunt performers, emphasising the importance of foundational skills and mentorship within the industry. In July 2023, Massa made headlines during a SAG-AFTRA strike rally in Atlanta, Georgia, where he performed a live stunt by setting himself on fire while holding a "SAG-AFTRA on Strike" sign. This act was intended to draw attention to the challenges faced by stunt performers and to show solidarity with fellow union members.
Known For & Full Filmography11 Titles
Drama Series - 2016, 16 episodes • as Stern QA
A dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin. Set at the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past, it explores a world in which every human appetite, no matter how noble or depraved, can be indulged.
Movie - 2013, 2h 15m • as Tony's Guard
When Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.
Drama Series - 2009, 16 episodes • as Apollo (uncredited)
Echo is a member of a highly illegal and underground group of individuals whose personalities have been wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas. Confined between missions to a secret facility known as the Dollhouse, the "Actives" are hired by the wealthy, powerful and connected to wholly become—with mind, personality and physiology—whomever the client wants or needs them to be. They know no other life than the specific engagements they are in at that time—or do they?
Movie - 2023, 2h 15m • as 1944 Indiana Jones Double
Finding himself in a new era, and approaching retirement, Indy wrestles with fitting into a world that seems to have outgrown him. But as the tentacles of an all-too-familiar evil return in the form of an old rival, Indy must don his hat and pick up his whip once more to make sure an ancient and powerful artifact doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
Movie - 2014, 2h 15m • as CHP #4
The film revolves around a local street-racer who partners with a rich and arrogant business associate, only to find himself framed by his colleague and sent to prison. After he gets out, he joins a New York-to-Los Angeles race to get revenge. But when the ex-partner learns of the scheme, he puts a massive bounty on the racer's head, forcing him to run a cross-country gauntlet of illegal racers in all manner of supercharged vehicles.
Movie - 1999, 2h 15m • as Paramedic #2
On one random day in the San Fernando Valley, a dying father, a young wife, a male caretaker, a famous lost son, a police officer in love, a boy genius, an ex-boy genius, a game show host and an estranged daughter will each become part of a dazzling multiplicity of plots, but one story.
Drama Series - 2014, 16 episodes • as Douglas
Working for the FBI's Deep Cover Operations division, Martin Odum can transform himself into a different person -- whether it's an assignment as a Serbian extremist, a corrupt Chicago police officer, a British special forces colonel, or a legendary computer hacker. But when he learns that his life, itself, may be a lie, he faces the demands of his job and a desire to solve the mystery of his identity. And given the choice between the two, Odum doesn't always make the right decision.
Movie - 2009, 2h 15m • as Fireman #6
A young man awakens from a four-year coma to hear that his once virginal high-school sweetheart has since become a centerfold in one of the world's most famous men's magazines. He and his sex-crazed best friend decide to take a cross-country road trip in order to crash a party at the magazine's legendary mansion headquarters and win back the girl.
Movie - 2007, 2h 15m • as Pit Crew #1
A gorgeous young automobile fanatic--and front to the hottest unsigned band on the West Coast--finds herself caught up in illegal drag-racing competitions organized by exotic car fanatics.
Movie - 1998, 2h 15m • as Flaco
A young cop gets thrown in with a special police squad who are acting as assassins against hoods and who don't care who gets in the way.
Movie - 2004, 2h 15m • as Self
Documentary on the stunts and practical effects of the 2004 film "The Punisher." Produced for “The Punisher” DVD.