Julie Michaels: Stuntswoman who changed the game in Hollywood to favour women
Julie Michaels is an American actress-turned-stuntwoman and stunt coordinator, who has succeeded in changing the notion that blondes are just for seductive roles. Michaels might be a blonde but she is the definition of the phrase: “What a man can do, a woman can do better.”
Her bold and daring personae has gotten her a spot on the growing list of Hollywood actresses who check the box when it comes to being a kick-ass fighter and a sexy damsel in distress.
So, here is everything you need to know about Julie Michaels the game changer.
Julie Michaels biography
Julie Michaels was born and raised in Washington D.C., the capital of the United States of America. Her father was a firefighter and her mother was a teacher at a local elementary school.
When Michaels entered high school, she began to showcase her passion for and talent in gymnastics. At 16 years old, she took part in the Huskies Division-1 Gymnastics Team.
After receiving a scholarship for her college education, she attended the University of Washington, where she competed in gymnastics. At the University, she was a member of The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Michaels also competed in beauty pageants while in the university and won two Miss America titles. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1992.
ALSO READ: Ellen Heidingsfelder: Lawyer who dutifully, lovingly supports Cooper Manning
Michaels’ love for martial arts led her to Asia for a period where she studied under the guidance of Benny Urquidez, a well-known martial artist, kickboxer, and actor. She continues to train in martial arts to this day.
During a 2013 interview, Michaels revealed that she was not pretty while growing up and she took part in the Miss America pageant to fund her education.
She said: “Pretty awful, to be honest with you. I wasn’t very attractive…Never went out on dates, (and) didn’t even go to senior prom. My dad used to say: ‘Put a bone around her neck, maybe the dog will play with her.’ Just wasn’t very attractive growing up, so I had to learn to be a better communicator, talk with people, and get people to understand who I was from the inside, which I think was quite effective for me all through high school and college and, you know, into my later years for sure. It was pretty awful.”
During the same interview, the actress gave an insight into her life while growing up.
She said: “I have to be honest with you. I didn’t have any, because I grew up on a farm, so most pop culture I got was from what my horse ate that day. I was really kind of sheltered from it, to be honest with you. I didn’t really watch a lot of television. I was outside most of the time. I didn’t really realise what pop culture was probably until I got into college.”
Julie Michaels career
Michaels’ journey as an actress began with her role in the play Follies on Broadway in 1988. However, she had to wait until she caught the attention of Joel Silver, a renowned actor and producer, before landing important roles.
It was Silver who cast her alongside Patrick Swayze in the thriller film Road House in 1989, which marked the beginning of Michaels’ famous career.
In 1991, she appeared with Keanu Reeves in the movie Point Break, and after a scene where she fights him, the New York Times labelled her “The Babe Who Nuked Keanu”.
Michaels was the one who ultimately defeated the antagonist “Jason” in the horror movie Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday in 1993. The actress also starred in the 1993 film Witchboard 2, which featured Ami Dolenz and Christopher Michael Moore.
In 1997, Michaels was cast in Batman & Robin. In 2002, she starred in The Scorpion King, alongside Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. The movie turned out to be a global blockbuster.
She has also appeared in several TV shows, beginning in 1995 with her appearance on the iconic series, Baywatch, which featured David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson. In 1999, she acted in The Man Show; and in 2002, she appeared in She Spies.
Michaels got more prominent after being cast in the 2004 TV series, Desperate Housewives, which starred Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman and Marcia Cross. She was also featured in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody in 2005, and then in the TV series In Justice and the movie Ghost Whisperer the following year.
Michaels’ most recent roles include the 2012 movie, The Legends of Nethiah, the 2017 TV show, SEAL Team, for which she was nominated for an Emmy Award for outstanding stunt coordination, and the 2018 short film, The Biggest Elephant.
Over the years, this stuntwoman has received numerous nominations and also secured some awards.
Michaels was recognised with the Prime Time Emmy Award for Outstanding Stunt Coordination in a Comedy or Variety Show, making her the first woman to be nominated for this prestigious honour.
ALSO READ: Mireddys González: Daddy Yankee’s wife who got married to musician at age 17
In 2011, she was also nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award. Furthermore, she earned the top ten producer award from the PGA for her work on the film, Last Writes.
Julie Michaels movies
Michaels has starred in various movies and TV shows. They include:
- Road House (1989)
- Sunset Beat (1990)
- Point Break (1991)
- Doctor Mordrid (1992)
- Beethoven’s 2nd (1993)
- Witchboard 2: The Devil’s Doorway (1993)
- Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993)
- Baywatch (1995-1998)
- House of Frankenstein (1997)
- A Time to Revenge (1997)
- Batman & Robin (1997)
- The Man Show (1999)
- Desperate Housewives (2004-2012)
- Absolute Evil (2009)
- Song of the Vampire (2001)
- Layover (2001)
- Rock Star (2001)
- Rat Race (2001)
- 24 (2002)
- The Scorpion King (2002)
- The Secret Sea (2002)
- The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (2005)
- In Justice (2006)
- House M.D
- Rush Hour 3 (2007)
- Weeds (2010)
- Southland (2011-2013)
- Legend of Nethiah (2012)
- A Fabulous Tale (2013)
- Last Writes (2014)
- Matador (2014)
- Bosch (2016)
- The Biggest Elephant (2018)
- Chick Fight (2020)
- Grey’s Anatomy (2018)
- Hearts of Darkness: The Making of The Final Friday (2021)
Julie Michaels’ net worth
Michaels’ net worth is estimated to be between $1 million to $2 million, according to media reports. Her wealth comes from her acting career and other businesses over the years.
Julie Michaels family
Michaels’ family is not new to the acting world. Her father’s name was Juan Manuel before he changed it to John Michaels because of his acting career. Her mother, on the other hand, is Julie Doreen. Michaels was born into an Air Force family.
Coming to her romantic life, The Scorpion King actress is married to Peewee Piemonte. The couple shares a joyful marriage, both basking in the limelight of Hollywood.
Michaels’ husband of over two decades, Piemonte is a renowned stuntman, credited for his work on Jane The Virgin and Southland. With two Emmys to his name and four additional nominations, Piemonte has solidified his position as a seasoned veteran in the entertainment industry.
Despite his humble beginnings in the Bronx, Piemonte’s size earned him the nickname that would stick with him throughout his life, ultimately becoming an asset that helped him win his class in bodybuilding for JR America.
This early success catapulted him into the world of commercials and movies. With skill, determination, and a tireless work ethic, Piemonte has amassed over 300 professional credits over his 36 years in the business, including popular shows and movies like Seal Team, Jane The Virgin, How To Get Away With Murder, and The Newsroom, as well as major motion pictures like What Just Happened and Vacancy 2.
Beyond his impressive resume, Piemonte is also the President of JMP Productions Inc, which he founded with his wife, Michaels.
Together, they have built a reputation for action direction that is rooted in ability, trust, integrity, and ethics, demonstrated by their commitment to employing hundreds of veterans in performing positions on the shows they coordinate.
This commitment paid off in a big way during their 44-episode run of Seal Team, for which they received an Emmy nomination for “Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Drama Series, Limited Series or Movie”, among numerous other accolades.
Piemonte’s talent in his craft has earned him two Emmy award wins, both for Outstanding Stunt Coordination in a Drama Series for his work on SouthLand in 2011 and 2012.
Michaels and Piemonte met on set while filming Jason Goes to Hell, in 1993, where Piemonte served as Michaels’ trainer for high falls. In the same year, they tied the knot and have since been standing strong and achieving great heights in their careers together.
The couple has two children: Vincenzo and Victoria.
Their marriage has since thrived for over 25 years, a testament to their unwavering devotion to each other.
Julie Michaels age
Michaels was born on July 20, 1970. She is 52 years old and will be 53 years in 2023.
Julie Michaels Instagram
On Instagram, Michaels’ username is @julie_michaels. She has 5,089 followers, as of the time of writing this piece.
Michaels’ love for animals is evident as she posts cute pictures of herself with her pets on her Instagram page.
The actress also ensures to update fans on her movies and her endeavours in life via her Instagram page.
ALSO READ: Kathy Ambush: Woman who defended her jurist ex-husband in sexual harassment controversy
