David Holmes

David Michael Holmes (born 2 July 1983) is a British former stunt performer and gymnast, best known for his work on the Harry Potter films. Following an on-set accident in 2009 that left him paralysed, he is now a published author, podcast host, and disability rights activist.

Early life and career Holmes grew up in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. He was a daredevil and competitive gymnast as a child. After seeing him jump from his bedroom window onto the trampoline in the garden, his mother signed him up for the local gymnastics club. In 1997, through his gymnastics club, he landed a role as a “stunt kid” for sci-fi movie Lost In Space (1998), starring Friends actor Matt LeBlanc. For his stunt career, he trained in gymnastics, trampolining, high diving, kick boxing, horse riding, and swimming.

Holmes worked as Daniel Radcliffe's stunt double for Harry Potter in the first six Harry Potter films. Holmes was spotted as a potential Radcliffe double by stunt coordinator Greg Powell, who asked him to do a broomstick test for director Chris Columbus. “I found myself in this wonderful studio strapped to the back of a truck, getting towed down the runway, dragging my feet along the floor.... That's how I got the job." "I had the time of my life on the Harry Potter set. I was the first person to play Quidditch on a broomstick." In addition to doubling for Radcliffe, he occasionally also doubled for Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy and played a Slytherin beater in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. "It was an amazing experience. I loved it and Dan was an absolute pleasure to work with. The cast and crew were like a second family." Holmes underwent multiple surgeries, and spent seven months at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore; Radcliffe, Felton, and Matthew Lewis regularly visited him while he was there.

Holmes started Ripple Productions, along with two friends who are also paralysed. In 2020, they launched a podcast with Daniel Radcliffe, called Cunning Stunts, where they interview other stunt actors to raise awareness about the risks they face. Holmes participates in charity events to raise money for hospitals and advocates for disability rights. After becoming disabled, he took up automobile racing, driving a car with hand controls rather than foot pedals. Holmes' girlfriend, Rosie, is also paralysed. "It took me to break my neck to meet the woman of my dreams." Radcliffe, who served as the film's executive producer and is featured throughout, said Holmes is "an incredibly important person in my life." The documentary was well-received by critics and the general public."The film is a coming-of-age story of stuntman David Holmes, a prodigious teenage gymnast from Essex, England, who is selected to play Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double in the first ‘Harry Potter’ film, when Daniel is just 11. Over the next 10 years, the two form an inextricable bond, but on the penultimate film a tragic accident on set leaves David paralyzed with a debilitating spinal injury, turning his world upside down. As Daniel and his closest stunt colleagues rally to support David and his family in their moment of need, it is David’s extraordinary spirit of resilience that becomes their greatest source of strength and inspiration."

In 2024, Holmes published a memoir, The Boy Who Lived, which captures his thrills working on the Harry Potter films and the lows of his life in the wake of his accident.

Despite his life-changing accident, Holmes does not regret participating in the Harry Potter films. "The experience and the character of Harry Potter meant so much to me," he said.

Filmography Stunts Year Title Role Notes 1998 Lost In Space Stunts Uncredited 2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Harry Potter stunt double Uncredited 2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 2004 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 2005 Green Street Hooligans Stunt performer Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Harry Potter stunt double Uncredited 2007 The Last Legion Romulus Augustus stunt double Ruddy Hell! It's Harry and Paul Stunts 3 episodes Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry Potter stunt double Uncredited My Boy Jack Stunt performer Television film The Golden Compass Stunts National Treasure: Book of Secrets Stunts 2008 Doomsday Stunt performer Mutant Chronicles Inkheart Utility stunts 2009 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Harry Potter stunt double Uncredited 2010 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Young Bis stunt double Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 Harry Potter stunt double 2015 Mortdecai Additional stunt performer credited only

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