Rich Hopkins(I)
- Stunts
- Actor
- Producer
From birth, Rich Hopkins, (affectionately known as the "King of Extreme"), developed a taste for adrenaline!!... "My First "Stunt" was when my dad would throw me up in the air and catch me as a toddler", "One time I crashed into the headboard on my way down...and the rest is History". As a kid, Rich never did acquire a "mainstream" sport mentality. "It seemed that I was always on the Losing Team. But, "I" didn't suck. Everyone else did!!". So he decided early on that "Individualized Sports" were best for him. "This way I can be accountable if I pull it off or not". Not 5 or 10 other guys.!!"
Bouncing around the country with his airline pilot father that was transferred city to city, Rich adapted quickly to meeting new people. After settling back in his birth place of San Diego in the mid 70's, HE was HOME!
I loved Torrey Pines High School in Del Mar, California. "It was a great experience, cool atmosphere and fun friends "Surfing for Phys Ed class was awesome! ".. "Even though my "Theater Production" teacher failed me, and he told me that I would NEVER be in the "Entertainment Business" Rich proved him wrong... To date, Rich is one of the.. if not THE most accomplished TPHS Alumni in the Film & TV industry to date!
"All I wanted in life was to be a "PRO Surfer".. In 1984, After suffering a broken neck as a passenger in a serious "head on" car collision.. that dream was over.... However, while in the hospital, Rich was diagnosed with an "ASD / Arterial Septal Defect" (Hole in the Heart) Dr. Pat Daley came to the rescue on "Cinco De Mayo" 1986 and performed precision surgery. Rich has overcome multiple injuries and surgeries. (List Available)
In 1986, Rich had the good fortune of working with motivational pioneer, Anthony Robbins. Rich worked his way through the "Mail Room" to become one of Tony's assistants, Rich visited in his "Del Mar Castle" on occasion, and even took his kids surfing. Being affiliated with Tony's company, Rich had opportunities of attending other "speakers" events and learn from them as well. Finally, Rich had the urge and told "Tony" "Thanx for everything but, my dream is not to work for you, I want to be in the Film & TV industry", so he left and headed to "LA" at the end of 1988.
After booking a bunch of "gigs" as a struggling actor, Rich realized that he could utilize his "Action Sports" knowledge to segue his career into "Stunts". In 1991 he moved to Las Vegas, then started his Stunt & Action Sports Company "Thrillseekers Unlimited" in 1992 in Las Vegas, the sky has been the limit since then.
From film, television, music videos and commercials, to live events, Rich has been a driving force behind the extreme sports industry since the beginning, and basically COINED the phrase "Extreme Sports" in the early 90's, way before there was a such thing as the "X-Games" or Action Sports.
Throughout Rich's career he continued to excel in countless "Over the Edge" sports, events and productions, Rich further extends his expertise in the industry as a consultant & "Brand Specialist", Motivational Speaker and TV personality and has worked with such brands as Ironclad Gloves, Skechers, Powerbar, Brut Actif, Outback Mountainboards, Sector Sport Watches, Moto-Sk8, Zabas Mexican Grill and Blu-Blocker Sunglasses.
Always on the "cutting-edge," Rich is a true pioneer, his tireless drive and vision has brought action sports to all mediums of the entertainment industry for nearly a quarter century!! Rich has received accolades for performing the "World's 1st Pyrotechnic Bungy Jump" (he has done 3 to date), Performing the "World's 1st Pyrotechnic Motorized In-Line Skate Run" and his "1000' Skyscraper desender / rappel in Dallas, Texas as "SPIDERMAN" for the Blockbuster/Columbia Tri-Star DVD release of the hit movie. He was also a finalist in the "1996 X-Games" World Bungy Jumping Championships.
For 33 years now, Rich has worked on a wide variety of films, television shows, commercials, music videos, and live events as a professional Stuntman and/or Stunt Coordinator or 2nd Unit Director. Thrillseekers Unlimited has produced hundreds of "Live Shows" since its beginning in 1992. Further shaping the industry, Thrillseekers Unlimited was the first company to offer all inclusive "Extreme Sports & Stunt Vacations" to the public. Rich has been featured and interviewed by countless local, regional, national and International TV shows, magazines, newspapers, and radio stations regarding the exciting and dangerous work he does.
Throughout his career, Rich has worked closely with an impressive array of celebrities in varying capacities. Including: Virgin Chairman Sir Richard Branson, Ben Affleck, Mariah Carey, The Killers, Wesley Snipes, Kevin Hart, Jeff Gordon, Imagine Dragons, Tyga, Queen Latifah, Chef Robert Irvine, Criss Angel, Sting, Mark Hamill, Caleb Landry Jones, Lady Gaga, Sarah Palin, Tony Todd, 21 Savage, "Dog The Bounty Hunter", Jet Li, Tara Reid, Danny Trejo, Dave Franco, Michael Biehn, Dakota Fanning, Malin Ackerman, Evan Rachel Wood, Tom Arnold, Zoe Kravitz, Chris Mintz-Plasse, Jeff Fahey, Crispin Glover, James Duval, Noah Hathaway, Nadine Velasquez, Andy Mackenzie, N'SYNC, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Patrick Swayze, Gary Busey, Alyssa Milano, James Earl Jones, Dan Cortese, N'Sync, Fabio (Stunt Double), Christopher Lloyd, Morgan Fairchild, Dina Meyer, Tony Denison, Summer Sanders Tennis Pro's: Andre Agassi (as Stunt Double), Anna Kournikova, Venus Williams and Andy Murray. Kenny Johnson (The Shield), Vinnie Pastore (Sopranos), LA Raiders: Bob Golic & Howie Long, Terry Bradshaw, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Las Vegas Golden Knights players Ryan Reaves & Max Pacioretty..
Rich Hopkins is one of the few men in the industry that has been able after 34+ years in the business to excel in the stunts that he specializes in, Fire Burns, High Falls, Zip-Lines, Air Rams, Ratchets, Wire Work, Weapons, Bullet Hits (Squibs), Car Transfers, Stunt Driving, and Stunt Fighting as well as a wide variety of extreme sports and stunts. He specializes in ATV'S, Rock Climbing, Skiing, Surfing, Jet-Skiing, Cliff/Bridge Jumping, Firewalking, Windsurfing, Snowboarding, In-Line Skating, Bungy Jumping, Paragliding, Skydiving, Sand Surfing, Skydiving Wind Tunnel, Mountainboarding, Kayaking, Moto SK8 Racing, and even Hovercrafts.
Rich has contributed countless hours to Charities, (especially ones that help children).. Including Adam Bergen's "87 Plays Foundation", MADD, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Make a Wish, DARE, Candelighters Foundation, Spread the Word Nevada. Rich has produced, stunt coordinated, performed, and hosted for all of these. Rich is a Driving Instructor for "Drivers Edge" teaching defensive and evasive driving techniques to teens, Defensive Driving Instructor for the City Of Las Vegas (Team Payne)
Widely recognized as one of the "Extreme Pioneers" in Action/Adventure/Adrenaline Sports, whatever you call it, Rich Hopkins continues to help guide the industry into the future, and to bring "Extreme Sports" to the world. With public demand for these sports and activities sharply on the rise, Rich Hopkins is infectiously spreading his thirst for "The Rush," catapulting the action sports industry into the Future!
Bouncing around the country with his airline pilot father that was transferred city to city, Rich adapted quickly to meeting new people. After settling back in his birth place of San Diego in the mid 70's, HE was HOME!
I loved Torrey Pines High School in Del Mar, California. "It was a great experience, cool atmosphere and fun friends "Surfing for Phys Ed class was awesome! ".. "Even though my "Theater Production" teacher failed me, and he told me that I would NEVER be in the "Entertainment Business" Rich proved him wrong... To date, Rich is one of the.. if not THE most accomplished TPHS Alumni in the Film & TV industry to date!
"All I wanted in life was to be a "PRO Surfer".. In 1984, After suffering a broken neck as a passenger in a serious "head on" car collision.. that dream was over.... However, while in the hospital, Rich was diagnosed with an "ASD / Arterial Septal Defect" (Hole in the Heart) Dr. Pat Daley came to the rescue on "Cinco De Mayo" 1986 and performed precision surgery. Rich has overcome multiple injuries and surgeries. (List Available)
In 1986, Rich had the good fortune of working with motivational pioneer, Anthony Robbins. Rich worked his way through the "Mail Room" to become one of Tony's assistants, Rich visited in his "Del Mar Castle" on occasion, and even took his kids surfing. Being affiliated with Tony's company, Rich had opportunities of attending other "speakers" events and learn from them as well. Finally, Rich had the urge and told "Tony" "Thanx for everything but, my dream is not to work for you, I want to be in the Film & TV industry", so he left and headed to "LA" at the end of 1988.
After booking a bunch of "gigs" as a struggling actor, Rich realized that he could utilize his "Action Sports" knowledge to segue his career into "Stunts". In 1991 he moved to Las Vegas, then started his Stunt & Action Sports Company "Thrillseekers Unlimited" in 1992 in Las Vegas, the sky has been the limit since then.
From film, television, music videos and commercials, to live events, Rich has been a driving force behind the extreme sports industry since the beginning, and basically COINED the phrase "Extreme Sports" in the early 90's, way before there was a such thing as the "X-Games" or Action Sports.
Throughout Rich's career he continued to excel in countless "Over the Edge" sports, events and productions, Rich further extends his expertise in the industry as a consultant & "Brand Specialist", Motivational Speaker and TV personality and has worked with such brands as Ironclad Gloves, Skechers, Powerbar, Brut Actif, Outback Mountainboards, Sector Sport Watches, Moto-Sk8, Zabas Mexican Grill and Blu-Blocker Sunglasses.
Always on the "cutting-edge," Rich is a true pioneer, his tireless drive and vision has brought action sports to all mediums of the entertainment industry for nearly a quarter century!! Rich has received accolades for performing the "World's 1st Pyrotechnic Bungy Jump" (he has done 3 to date), Performing the "World's 1st Pyrotechnic Motorized In-Line Skate Run" and his "1000' Skyscraper desender / rappel in Dallas, Texas as "SPIDERMAN" for the Blockbuster/Columbia Tri-Star DVD release of the hit movie. He was also a finalist in the "1996 X-Games" World Bungy Jumping Championships.
For 33 years now, Rich has worked on a wide variety of films, television shows, commercials, music videos, and live events as a professional Stuntman and/or Stunt Coordinator or 2nd Unit Director. Thrillseekers Unlimited has produced hundreds of "Live Shows" since its beginning in 1992. Further shaping the industry, Thrillseekers Unlimited was the first company to offer all inclusive "Extreme Sports & Stunt Vacations" to the public. Rich has been featured and interviewed by countless local, regional, national and International TV shows, magazines, newspapers, and radio stations regarding the exciting and dangerous work he does.
Throughout his career, Rich has worked closely with an impressive array of celebrities in varying capacities. Including: Virgin Chairman Sir Richard Branson, Ben Affleck, Mariah Carey, The Killers, Wesley Snipes, Kevin Hart, Jeff Gordon, Imagine Dragons, Tyga, Queen Latifah, Chef Robert Irvine, Criss Angel, Sting, Mark Hamill, Caleb Landry Jones, Lady Gaga, Sarah Palin, Tony Todd, 21 Savage, "Dog The Bounty Hunter", Jet Li, Tara Reid, Danny Trejo, Dave Franco, Michael Biehn, Dakota Fanning, Malin Ackerman, Evan Rachel Wood, Tom Arnold, Zoe Kravitz, Chris Mintz-Plasse, Jeff Fahey, Crispin Glover, James Duval, Noah Hathaway, Nadine Velasquez, Andy Mackenzie, N'SYNC, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Patrick Swayze, Gary Busey, Alyssa Milano, James Earl Jones, Dan Cortese, N'Sync, Fabio (Stunt Double), Christopher Lloyd, Morgan Fairchild, Dina Meyer, Tony Denison, Summer Sanders Tennis Pro's: Andre Agassi (as Stunt Double), Anna Kournikova, Venus Williams and Andy Murray. Kenny Johnson (The Shield), Vinnie Pastore (Sopranos), LA Raiders: Bob Golic & Howie Long, Terry Bradshaw, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Las Vegas Golden Knights players Ryan Reaves & Max Pacioretty..
Rich Hopkins is one of the few men in the industry that has been able after 34+ years in the business to excel in the stunts that he specializes in, Fire Burns, High Falls, Zip-Lines, Air Rams, Ratchets, Wire Work, Weapons, Bullet Hits (Squibs), Car Transfers, Stunt Driving, and Stunt Fighting as well as a wide variety of extreme sports and stunts. He specializes in ATV'S, Rock Climbing, Skiing, Surfing, Jet-Skiing, Cliff/Bridge Jumping, Firewalking, Windsurfing, Snowboarding, In-Line Skating, Bungy Jumping, Paragliding, Skydiving, Sand Surfing, Skydiving Wind Tunnel, Mountainboarding, Kayaking, Moto SK8 Racing, and even Hovercrafts.
Rich has contributed countless hours to Charities, (especially ones that help children).. Including Adam Bergen's "87 Plays Foundation", MADD, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Make a Wish, DARE, Candelighters Foundation, Spread the Word Nevada. Rich has produced, stunt coordinated, performed, and hosted for all of these. Rich is a Driving Instructor for "Drivers Edge" teaching defensive and evasive driving techniques to teens, Defensive Driving Instructor for the City Of Las Vegas (Team Payne)
Widely recognized as one of the "Extreme Pioneers" in Action/Adventure/Adrenaline Sports, whatever you call it, Rich Hopkins continues to help guide the industry into the future, and to bring "Extreme Sports" to the world. With public demand for these sports and activities sharply on the rise, Rich Hopkins is infectiously spreading his thirst for "The Rush," catapulting the action sports industry into the Future!
