William H. Burton Sr.

Director · Producer

Biography

William H. Burton Sr., also known as Bill or Billy, is a stuntman, stunt coordinator and 2nd unit director. He was one of the original members of Stunts Unlimited and he received the 2019 Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. One of the great all-around stuntmen, it is said of Billy that he can drive anything with wheels and ride anything with legs! Billy started ranching and found success on the rodeo circuit but soon moved to Hollywood. Many of the film and television productions at the time were Westerns so he was able to find steady work as a stuntman and extra. He got his start in stunts in 1965 by way of the rodeo to work on western films and television shows in Hollywood. He soon met mentor Hal Needham who taught him what it took to be a great stuntman and he was one of the original members of Stunts Unlimited formed in 1970 by Hal Needham, Glenn Wilder and Ronnie Rondell. In 1976 and 1978, Billy won the World Stuntman’s Competition on CBS Sports Spectacular, competing in motorcycle, car, and horse work for the award. From there, he transitioned into directing action sequences for film. He has brought numerous memorable sequences to life, including an exhilarating boat chase between Nicholas Cage and John Travolta in Face-Off and the iconic motorcycle chase in Mission: Impossible 2 with Tom Cruise. His directing credits include Mission: Impossible 2, The Scorpion King, Collateral Damage, Hostage, and more. With over 50 years as a stuntman, stunt coordinator, and 2nd unit director, Billy considers his career a great ride.