Record-breaking movie stunts: meet the Hollywood stars who did it themselves

Many Hollywood film stars have found success while acting on the big screen, but how many of them do their own stunts?

And how many of those stunts are incredible enough to break records?

A few big-name actors have put themselves in the line of fire (literally) and gained a Guinness World Records title along the way. 

First up on the record-breaking list is none other than Tom Cruise (USA). With an Honorary Oscar and a few Academy Award nominations, this A-lister is one of the most talented in the industry. 

Cruise is best known for his roles in the Mission Impossible films and the Top Gun franchise, and he’s famous for doing his own impressive – and often dangerous - stunts. 

During the filming of 2025 release Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Cruise achieved a record-breaking feat. His stunt used parachutes that had been soaked in fuel and set alight and saw Cruise launch himself out of a helicopter flying at roughly 7,500 ft. After the parachutes disintegrated, Cruise successfully cut the remaining chutes, deployed a second, and managed to land safely in the end. 

It was on 4 June 2025 that the star’s record was verified for most burning parachute jumps by an individual, and he achieved this with a total of 16. 

Cruise also originally held the Guinness World Records title for another stunt: longest breath-hold on screen (lead actor). While filming another one of his very successful movies, Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), Cruise achieved this record and managed to keep it for many years. Although this all changed when Kate Winslet (UK) was filming Avatar: The Way of Water (2022). 

Kate Winslet as Ronal in Avatar: The Way of Water. Image credit: Courtesy of 20th Century Studios.

When Cruise held the record, he managed to hold his breath for a total of 6 minutes, but when Winslet was filming for the Avatar movie, she beat the record with a total of 7 minutes and 15 seconds.  

Way of the Water is known for its immersive style and presentation of real underwater scenes. Many of the shots were filmed underwater, which is where Winslet earned her spot in the record books. 

Up next is Jackie Chan (China), a man of many talents who has been involved in the film industry for over 60 years. 

Starring in films such as the Rush Hour series and The Karate Kid (2010), he has developed a rich career spreading action and excitement across the globe. On 5 December 2012, Chan was recognized as the Guinness World Records title holder for most stunts by a living actor. 

Read about more record-breaking celebrities in our Arts and Entertainment section.

At this point, he had completed a total of 100 stunts, and now that number will surely have risen. This record-breaking lifestyle does not come without a price though! He has endured many injuries, including breaking his nose three times, both of his cheekbones being broken, most of his fingers, and even his skull. 

Chan also broke the record for most credits in one movie for the same person with the release of Chinese Zodiac (2012), where he achieved a total of 15 credits. Chan’s many credits were for things such as writer, catering coordinator, composer, producer, and, of course, stuntman. 

Finally, 2025 marked the 10th anniversary of the passing of veteran actor Sir Christopher Lee, and he broke many world records in his incredible career. In 2007, he was recognized as the Guinness World Records title holder for most films with a swordfight by an actor after he dueled in 17 films with swords, lightsabers, foils, and billiard cues.  

GWR Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday sword fighting with Sir Christopher Lee

His record-breaking feats do not end there, as on 29 September 2009, he became the oldest videogame actor. He provided the voice of Diz/Ansem the Wise in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. At that point, Lee was aged 87 years 125 days, and then he went on to break his own record as the narrator for LEGO® The Hobbit at the age of 91 years and 316 days. 

Another Guinness World Records title that Lee holds is most deaths in a movie career. With over 200 movie credits, Lee’s characters died 61 times.

Lee’s career was filled with talent, and his legacy lives on to this day.