Chad Stahelski
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1968-09-20
    • Born Place: Palmer, Massachusetts, USA
  • Also Known As:

    Chad Staheiski, Chad Stahleski, Chad Stangelski, Chad Storelson, چاد استاهلسکی

Chad Stahelski

Chad Stahelski (born Charles F. Stahelski on September 20, 1968, in Palmer, Massachusetts) is an American filmmaker, stuntman, and stunt coordinator, widely celebrated for his profound impact on the action genre, particularly as the director of the John Wick franchise. His journey into cinema was built upon a strong foundation in martial arts, where he earned black belts in various disciplines and became an instructor at the renowned Inosanto Academy. He even competed in mixed martial arts in Japan, being one of the first Americans to do so in Shooto.Stahelski began his career in stunts, notably serving as a stunt double for Brandon Lee in The Crow (1994) and most famously for Keanu Reeves in The Matrix trilogy (1999-2003). Working closely with the Wachowskis and martial arts choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping on The Matrix deeply influenced his approach to action design. This experience, combined with his martial arts expertise, positioned him as a leading fight choreographer and stunt coordinator for films like 300, The Expendables series, and The Hunger Games films.In 1997, he co-founded 87Eleven Action Design with fellow stuntman David Leitch. Their company became a powerhouse in creating innovative and realistic action sequences for Hollywood. Stahelski made his directorial debut with the 2014 film John Wick, which he co-directed with David Leitch (though only Stahelski received the credited director title). The film's success, largely due to its unique "gun-fu" style and meticulously choreographed action, launched him into a prominent directorial career. He has since directed all subsequent installments of the John Wick series, including John Wick: Chapter 2, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, and John Wick: Chapter 4, continually pushing the boundaries of action filmmaking. Stahelski's directorial style is characterized by long takes, practical stunts, and a deep understanding of combat, making him a highly influential figure in modern action cinema.

Person History