What Happened to David Holmes? Who is David Holmes?
by S Samayanka
Updated Nov 16, 2023
What Happened to David Holmes?
David Holmes, the stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter, faced a life-altering accident during the filming of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1." While rehearsing a flying scene, a stunt meant to simulate an explosion went awry, propelling Holmes into a wall and breaking his neck, resulting in paralysis from the chest down. The documentary "David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived" explores the profound impact of this incident, delving into the close bond between Holmes and Radcliffe.
Interviews with both reveal the challenges of living with adversity and the resilient spirit that has become a source of inspiration. Holmes, now able to move only his left arm, shares his story for the first time, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and defining happiness on his own terms. The documentary reflects on identity, bonds, and the strength found in facing life's unexpected challenges.
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Who is David Holmes?
David Holmes, born on December 1, 1981, is a British individual known for his past roles as an actor and stunt performer. Notably, he served as the stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe in the Harry Potter film series. His life took a drastic turn during the filming of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" when a stunt went wrong, resulting in a severe accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down.
The documentary "David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived" delves into this life-altering event, exploring the strong connection between Holmes and Radcliffe, and offering insights into Holmes' resilience and inspiring spirit in the face of adversity. Beyond his film career, Holmes is identified as a British podcast host.
Born
1981
Age
42
Occupations
Podcast host
Stunt double
Actor
Name
David Holmes
David Holmes Career
David Holmes, born in 1981, embarked on a notable career as a stunt performer and actor, gaining prominence as the stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe in the first six films of the Harry Potter series. His journey took an unexpected turn during test filming for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" in January 2009 when a stunt went awry, resulting in a severe spine injury that left him paralyzed. Despite initial hopes of returning to work, Holmes found himself in a wheelchair, adapting to a new reality.
Post-injury, Holmes displayed remarkable resilience. Venturing into automobile racing, he navigated a car equipped with hand controls, showcasing his determination to embrace life's challenges. Alongside two friends who shared similar circumstances, Holmes co-founded Ripple Productions. In 2020, the company launched the podcast "Cunning Stunts" with Daniel Radcliffe, providing a platform for interviews with fellow stunt actors to shed light on the risks inherent in their profession.
His story gained further attention through the documentary "David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived," which premiered on HBO in November 2023. The documentary, produced by Lightbox, Ripple Productions, and Vanessa Davies, explores Holmes' life, resilience, and the challenges he faced. Daniel Radcliffe, credited as an executive producer, underscores the enduring bond between the two and the impact of Holmes' journey on those around him.
David Holmes Films
2001
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
2002
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
2004
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
2005
Green Street Hooligans
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
2007
The Last Legion
Ruddy Hell! It's Harry and Paul
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
My Boy Jack
The Golden Compass
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
2008
Doomsday
Mutant Chronicles
Inkheart
2009
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
2010
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1
2011
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
2015
Mortdecai
Year
Title
What Happened to David Holmes? - FAQs
David Holmes suffered a severe spine injury while rehearsing a flying scene, resulting in paralysis from the chest down.
David Holmes, born in 1981, is a British stunt performer and actor, best known as Daniel Radcliffe's stunt double in the Harry Potter series.
The documentary explores the life-altering accident, the bond between Holmes and Radcliffe, and Holmes' resilience in the face of adversity.
Holmes, along with two friends, co-founded Ripple Productions and launched the podcast "Cunning Stunts" with Daniel Radcliffe to shed light on the challenges faced by stunt actors.
The documentary premiered on HBO in November 2023, providing an in-depth look at Holmes' life, challenges, and the enduring bond with Daniel Radcliffe.