Utica Community Schools graduate performs stunts, acts in Hollywood

SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA/STERLING HEIGHTS — Sara Holden, who graduated from Utica High School and attended Jeannette Junior High and Schuchard Elementary, did theater while she was at UHS and has since taken the skills she learned even further.

Today, Holden performs stunts and acts in television shows and movies.

Holden studied theater at UHS under Martha Kent, who has since retired.

“After high school, I attended Western Michigan University where I studied advertising and theater. As much as I wanted to continue theater, I was introduced to women’s rugby, and ended up playing the entire four years I lived in Kalamazoo. (Maybe that was getting me geared up and ready for the unknown world of stunts),” she said in an email interview.

After graduating from WMU, she headed to Chicago and became an intern at a casting agency, David O’Connor Casting.

“I also started taking improvisation classes at Second City. After a few years in Chicago, I packed up whatever could fit in my Dodge Neon and drove west to Hollywood. I told my parents I had a job, but the fact was, I did not have a job, and I didn’t know anybody,” she said.

According to a Utica Community Schools press release, Holden, who is a mother of two, has been happy to spend some time back in Michigan while filming a sequel film called “#momlife Part 2.” The first film, “#momlife,” can be found on YouTube.

According to her filmography at the Internet Movie Database, Holden has performed stunts in such well-known television programs and movies as “General Hospital,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” “Venom,” “Thor: Love and Thunder,” “The Rookie” and “Chicago Fire.”

In her career, Holden has performed countless on-screen deaths.

“Every job I get, I’m a different person, telling a different story,” Holden said in the press release. “I get to work with the best of the best in Hollywood, creating action and helping the actors look good.”

She has played many different types of parts.

“I’ve played everything from a bloodied bride, an old woman, an ugly zombie to a fairy princess, a spy and a 12-year-old hockey player,” Holden stated in the release.

Stunt coordinator Kent Luttrell said he first worked with Holden on the Amazon Prime series “Hunters,” which starred Al Pacino.

“Sara doubled Kate Mulvany for me and was a consummate professional on and off set. A talented stuntwoman and always available on set to help wherever she could,” Luttrell said via email.

Luttrell complimented Holden’s professionalism and said the experience led him to hire her for several other shows.

“In fact I call her for all manner of work, car work, fights, falls, or just a hand to have on set I can trust to do what needs to be done. That means a lot to a stunt coordinator, not having to be concerned with her ability, conduct, or professionalism. I can always count on Sara,” Luttrell said.

Holden said her favorite part of her job is the unknown. She said that young people interested in stunts or acting will need to have thick skin and be ready for opportunities.

“When I moved to Los Angeles, I was only focused on acting,” Holden said in the release. “I was working on a film and ended up meeting the Stunt Coordinator who introduced me to the stunt world after talking for hours.”

Pursuing a career in stunts or acting also takes time and patience.

“Knowing how to take rejection is key and understanding that it most likely wasn’t you or your performance that didn’t get you the part. Casting just went another direction,” Holden said via email.

“Just hang in there, you’ll get the next one! Hollywood is not a business for the faint hearted. Just hone your skills, keep your chops up and be ready for any opportunity that comes your way,” she said.