Zoe Bell

Zoe Bell
Name	Zoe Bell
Birth date	1978-11-17
Birth place	Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Occupation	Stunt performer, actress, stunt coordinator
Years active	1995–present
Known for	Stunt double for Lucy Lawless and Uma Thurman; roles in Kill Bill, Grindhouse, Xena: Warrior Princess, The Hateful Eight

Zoe Bell is a New Zealand stunt performer and actress known for high-profile stunt doubling and onscreen roles that blend physicality and performance. She gained international attention as a stunt double on television and film productions and later transitioned into acting in genre films and television series, collaborating with prominent directors and performers.

Early life and background

Born on Waiheke Island near Auckland in 1978, Bell grew up in New Zealand with early exposure to outdoor activities and performance. She trained in gymnastics and skateboard culture influenced by the action film lineage of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and the stunt traditions of Hong Kong cinema. Her entry into screen stunts followed the expansion of Australasian television production in the 1990s, including work connected to series produced in Auckland and Wellington.

Stunt career

Bell's professional stunt career began as a double on the fantasy television series Xena: Warrior Princess, where she doubled for lead actress Lucy Lawless and worked with stunt coordinators on fight choreography rooted in cinematic traditions from Hong Kong action cinema and Western stunt techniques. She performed wire work, swordplay, and high falls for television episodes and later for feature films connected to Australasian production hubs such as New Zealand Film Commission projects. Her credits expanded to doubling for actresses including Uma Thurman on Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Volume 2 and working on grindhouse and action films produced by companies associated with Dimension Films and A Band Apart. Bell executed complex sequences involving vehicular stunts, practical effects, and precision driving for productions associated with stunt teams influenced by practitioners from United Kingdom and United States stunt communities.

Acting career

Transitioning to acting, Bell appeared in the Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino double-feature Grindhouse segment "Death Proof," performing both stunts and an onscreen role that showcased skills reminiscent of stunt-to-actor transitions like Buster Keaton and Jackie Chan. Her performance led to further acting roles in films directed by Quentin Tarantino and Quentin Tarantino-adjacent projects, including a small role in The Hateful Eight. She co-starred in television series such as Broke and genre shows produced by networks and platforms associated with HBO, FX Networks, and streaming services, bringing stunt-informed authenticity to action roles and collaborating with creators linked to Marvel Television and independent film producers. Bell has also worked as a stunt coordinator and consultant on productions with ties to New Zealand Film Commission and international studios.

Notable collaborations and influence

Bell's collaborations include long-term professional relationships with figures such as Lucy Lawless, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, and stunt coordinators from Hollywood and New Zealand's screen industries. Her work on Xena: Warrior Princess connected her to the legacy of Australasian television action choreography, while her stunt doubling for Uma Thurman on Kill Bill brought attention from critics and action communities worldwide. Bell has influenced a generation of stunt performers and actors, cited in interviews with organizations like the Screen Actors Guild and appearing at film festivals and industry panels featuring representatives from Sundance Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival-affiliated programs. Her crossover from stunts to leading roles mirrors paths taken by performers associated with the stunt-to-star tradition in Hong Kong and Hollywood cinema.

Awards and recognition

Bell has received recognition from stunt and film industry bodies, with nominations and awards from institutions connected to New Zealand Film Awards and stunt community organizations linked to Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Film critics and trade publications from Variety (magazine) and The Hollywood Reporter have highlighted her contributions to action filmmaking and physical performance. Industry retrospectives at venues associated with Museum of Modern Art and genre festivals have showcased her work in action cinema.

Personal life

Bell has maintained ties to New Zealand, balancing international production schedules with personal projects and advocacy related to performer safety and stunt training. She has participated in charitable initiatives and spoken at events hosted by industry bodies including Screen Actors Guild panels and seminars with film schools such as Victoria University of Wellington media programs.

Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:New Zealand actresses Category:Stunt performers