HOLLYWOOD’S favourite stuntman loves to play games.
After 30 years in the business of making stars shine brighter, Alfonso Steele agreed to talk to us about his typical day – but only if he could hide quotations from 13 of his favourite films within our profile. Can you find them all? Over to you, Alfonso.
Life moves pretty fast – you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. So when I’m not working, my morning routine is all about taking time out.[1] There’s no place like home,[2] and that’s where I love to be.
On a day off, I’ll laze in bed until maybe 6am, then get up and dive straight into the pool. It’s great for emptying the mind. Think of nothing else. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.[3]
Breakfast is thick pancakes, maple syrup and plenty of fresh fruit. Maple syrup is supposed to be on the table before the pancakes.[4] So you’re ready to go when they arrive. I switch the radio on and read the big stories on my phone.
Now more than ever, the news goes on for 24 hours a day.[5] So I try to keep abreast of things. At the same time, it’s important to keep sense of perspective. It’s a good story today. Tomorrow, they’ll wrap a fish in it.[6]
That’s why I like to kick back in my downtime. Pokerstars Casino has a bunch of virtual slot machines with themes that remind me of epic movies.
When I play Book of Dead or Eye of Horus, I become an intrepid archaeologist, searching for treasure inside the tomb of a long-dead pharaoh. If I don’t make it out of here, don’t put me down for mummification.[7] In Wolf Gold, you need the moon to appear for your fortunes to change. Beware the moon…[8]
On a day when I’m working, my schedule is tighter. A long time ago, a teacher told me: “Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.”[9]
It’s a motto I’ve lived by ever since. Every man dies; not every man really lives.[10] To make the most of every minute, I’m up at 4am on days when I’m working.
A quick swim. Then 30 minutes’ shadow boxing to shake off any cobwebs. The buggy will arrive to take me to the studio at 5.30am. Here I am, one of the world’s most capable stunt drivers, being ferried to work by a man in a cap called Walter. Sometimes we’ll chuckle about the irony of it. A laugh can be a very powerful thing. Why, sometimes in life, it’s the only weapon we have.[11]
Once we’re on set, I head straight to make-up, where they’ll try to make me look like whoever I’m doubling as that day. I’ve never wanted to be a star, just to make the most of my talent. Talent comes everywhere, but having something to say and a way to say it to have people listen to it, that’s a whole other bag.[12] I really don’t enjoy being the centre of attention.
On a movie set, the real business of filming takes minutes. The preparation takes hours. If I have some spare time, I might visit Pokerstars Casino.
If the producer is on set, I can pay tribute with a spin or two on Dragon’s Luck – one hideous, fire-breathing reptile deserves another, I figure. Before playing, you’ve got to ask yourself one question: “Do I feel lucky?”[13] With Bonanza and Dynamite Riches, I can try and blast my way to treasure, dodging through rickety gold mines like Indy. Which reminds me – he’s still got my hat.
[1] Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
[2] The Wizard of Oz
[3] Finding Nemo
[4] Rain Man
[5] Citizen Kane
[6] Ace in the Hole
[7] The Mummy (1999)
[8] An American Werewolf in London
[9] Dead Poets Society
[10] Braveheart
[11] Who Framed Roger Rabbit
[12] A Star is Born (2018)
[13] Dirty Harry
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