“I think differently because I am different. Be original! Play hard!”

-Rick Shaw

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Trigger warning: PG13, extremely graphic and sensitive content.

Disclaimer: Do not try this at home!

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Punching the rearview mirror, blood poured down his hand. He had never been so scared in all of his life. Even with a long record of danger, he always handled the fear. This time, however, was different.

Different

Going back further than this day, Rick’s adventurous career had a chance start in Columbus, Ohio (his home state). It was during his motorcycle racing days in the late 70’s and early 80’s.

Ramped Up

That was when he was videotaped using a ramp at a dealership. He used it to jump a motorcycle over 5 brand new toyota pickup trucks for a total of around 60 feet. Six months later he got the call. 

The Call

Toyota had seen the clip and asked if they could use it for a National Toyota commercial and pay him $15,000 (a lot of money during that time). He agreed to the offer. With a little added footage (including him posing with thumbs up) it ran.

Off To…

This chance encounter took Rick (an engineering college graduate from Ohio State University), to LA. Here he began his dream career, doing stunt work in movies, for Hollywood. Life seemed to be perfect until the unexpected happened. 

Worst News

His two year old son contracted meningitis. Home with the other children, Rick got the news from his wife at the time who was a nurse. His son had stopped breathing. In that moment, fear hit him and anger like he had never experienced. Punching the rearview mirror his hand started to bleed where it was cut with sharp pieces of broken mirror. 

Why?

He yelled, “God why are you taking my innocent child. You’ve had so many chances to take my life but now you take my son?”

Nothing More…

For a moment there was silence and then he heard these words almost audible. “My son was taken, too.” He couldn’t argue with that… There was nothing more he could do. It was out of his hands.

Miracle

Time passed and miraculously, his son survived.

Unexpected Place

Soon after he started taking his kids to church. He joined the macho men’s group and tried to find a way to serve. As a big guy, the only place he knew to start was volunteering in the nursery. He didn’t feel like he knew how to pray or anything else, but he wanted to help.

Gifted For What?

He wanted to use his gifts for God too, but all he knew was how to do stunts. He didn’t know if stunts would ever be used for God. Besides, most faith-based films, at the time, didn’t have any action and were low quality. 

Arena

However, one door after another started opening for him to get into this arena.

Ragamuffin

For one he got called to work on a film called Ragamuffin in Lewisburg, KY. The movie was about the life of Rich Mullins. His Mom excitedly came to watch. During one scene, he flipped a full size jeep (see clip at the end for this scene)

A Chill

Dave Mullins, the brother of the main character, came up to him later with tears in his eyes. In his hand was a drive shaft piece that looked the same as one that had come off in real life that Rick was re-enacting (when his brother flipped a jeep). At that moment Rick felt a chill go over him. He knew he was doing what he was made for.

What’s Wrong?

After finishing the stunt, he found his mother. She was crying. “What’s wrong,” he asked. His Mom responded, “Is this what you have been doing all these 20 years?” “You scare me, but I can tell you know what you are doing…” He just hugged her. 

By this time, it was true, Rick had performed a ton of stunts in real life and for movies. 

The Jump

One of those stunts had been performed at a highschool. Going into the Gymnasium, he jumped 30 feet (at the school presentation) from the rafters and landed in an airbag. He then taught the students a little about Physics including how to measure the g-force, what the body goes through and so much more.

A Coach

Today, Rick Shaw coaches stunts more often than performing. This has helped him to focus on health (Rick has type 1 diabetes among overcoming other health issues and his Dad is currently fighting cancer), while at the same time giving back to those starting out in this field.

Fearless

His ability to handle fear and think through the safest way possible to do stunts continues to cause a lot of doors to open for him. It all started, however, with him going after what he enjoyed doing, and going after it fearlessly….

 

In summary, Rick genuinely lives out his motto (which is an inspiration) of

“think(ing) differently because (he is) different. Be(ing) original! (&) Play(ing) hard!” 

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For More Information:

Contact Info (Stunt Inquiries): Shaw_richard@yahoo.com

Stunt Reel (saw firsthand the window scene and several others):