Hobit/Dan Schlund | |
|---|---|
 Dan Schlund, the Rocket Man | |
| Known for | Rocketbelt pilot, pyrotechnician, motivational speaker |
| Website | http://www.stuntdan.com |
Dan Schlund (born October 15, 1969), known by his stage names Rocketman, Daniel, and Joseph, is a Screen Actors Guild stuntman, pyrotechnician, producer, director of live action stunt shows around the world and one of only 11 people to ever fly a Rocketbelt.
Early years edit
Schlund grew up in Valencia, California. As a student at Arroyo Seco Jr. High he won two "Best Filmmaker" Awards for science fiction movies. Later he went into drama, video production and became an EMT working on an ambulance in the Los Angeles area.
His first stunt performance was in Virginia and he produced a live action stunt show in 1997 at Taiwan's largest Amusement Park, Leo Foo Village. In 1998 he moved to The Netherlands to manage and perform an Indiana Jones style stunt show at Walibi Flavo in Biddinghuizen. During the years of 1999-2000 he performed and managed The Jungle Stunt Show and occasionally the Batman Water Thrill Spectacular at Six Flags Marine World.
In October of 2000, Schlund was chosen to become the next Rocketbelt pilot. In 2002 he suffered a crash during training in which he suffered massive third degree burns to his right thigh. After recovering from this injury, he continued his training to earn the title "rocketman"
Rocketman performances edit
Schlund's first professional performance was doubling P. Diddy for the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards press conference and he is most noted for his flight at the 2007 Rose Parade.[1]
Rocketman performances around the world edit
Schlund has performed in Australia[2], Brazil, Turkmenistan, Germany, United Arab Emirates, and various locations in the United States. He has made special appearances in the The Ellen DeGeneres Show, X Prize Foundation,[3] and various magazines carried the flight, including People magazine.[4]
Television and film edit
Schlund has worked as a stunt double and stunt performer for several TV and film projects including Beach Movie (1998), Walker, Texas Ranger (2001), Walking Tall: The Payback (2007), and Stop-Loss (2008).[5] Other television appearances including the Smithsonian Channel's Sci Q and the Canadian show TV Made Me Do It which documented a performance in Mexico.
References edit
- ^ "How did 'Rocket Man' do it? 2 years' practice". The Oklahoman. 2007-01-02.
- ^ Sheena Coffey (September 14, 2005), Show has its ups and downs, The Age
- ^ Olsen, Stefanie (2006-10-21). "Pumping up the space industry". CNet.
- ^ www.rocketman.org
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1146230/
- Los Angeles Daily News, January 27, 2007: "Rocketman Makes Real Thrills His Business"
External links edit
Schlund, Dan {{Lifetime|||Schlund, Dan}}