Audrey Scott

Career Highlights

• Built one of the longest careers of any stuntwoman in Hollywood history, performing stunt work from 1928 to 1966 and becoming one of the most respected female stunt professionals of the studio era.
• Served as the preferred stunt and riding double for many of Hollywood’s greatest actresses, including Bette Davis, Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Marlene Dietrich, Rosalind Russell, Barbara Stanwyck, Carole Lombard, Jeanette MacDonald, and Mae West.
• Established herself as one of motion picture history’s premier horse specialists, performing legendary equestrian stunts, stagecoach action, sidesaddle jumps, cavalry riding, and horseback doubles across hundreds of productions during Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Biography

Audrey Scott was one of the most accomplished stuntwomen of Hollywood’s Golden Age, a pioneering horse specialist whose remarkable career spanned nearly four decades and helped establish professional stunt work for women in the motion picture industry. Born with a natural affinity for horses and a fearless spirit, Scott spent her youth breaking and training horses in South Dakota before pursuing her dream of working in films. Her exceptional riding ability, athleticism, and determination would eventually make her one of the most sought-after stunt performers in Hollywood, earning the respect of actors, directors, and fellow stunt professionals alike.

Before arriving in California, Scott developed an impressive background in equestrian sports. She trained horses, competed in polo, rode steeplechase courses, and mastered advanced cavalry riding techniques while living at Fort Riley, Kansas. Her expertise extended far beyond simple horseback riding, encompassing horse training, jumping, racing, and precision riding skills that few performers could match. These experiences provided the foundation for a career that would see her become one of the premier horse specialists in motion picture history. At a time when authentic riding ability was essential for westerns and historical dramas, Scott possessed a level of expertise that made her invaluable to filmmakers.

Beginning with her screen debut in John Ford’s Hangman’s House (1928), Scott built a career that stretched from the silent era into the 1960s. Along the way she became the preferred stunt and riding double for many of Hollywood’s most celebrated leading ladies. Her extensive list of doubles included Bette Davis, Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Marlene Dietrich, Rosalind Russell, Barbara Stanwyck, Jeanette MacDonald, Carole Lombard, Alice Brady, and Mae West, among many others. Whether performing horseback action, stagecoach stunts, dangerous falls, or riding doubles, Scott consistently delivered the realism and professionalism required to maintain the illusion of Hollywood glamour while keeping productions moving safely and efficiently.

Scott’s reputation was built on her extraordinary equestrian abilities and willingness to tackle some of the most challenging stunts of her era. She became known for sidesaddle jumps, stagecoach driving, cavalry riding, horse falls, cave-in sequences, and other demanding feats that required both courage and precision. One of her most famous stunt horses, Black Trooper, became legendary for his ability to perform difficult jumps and action sequences. Throughout her career, Scott narrowly avoided serious injury countless times, yet remained dedicated to her craft and continued to push the boundaries of what female stunt performers could accomplish on screen. Her work helped establish many of the standards and expectations for future generations of stuntwomen.

In recognition of her contributions to stunt performance, Audrey Scott was inducted into the Hollywood Stuntmen Hall of Fame in 1980. Her career remains one of the most impressive in stunt history, combining exceptional horsemanship, remarkable longevity, and a body of work that touched hundreds of productions across multiple decades. More than simply a stuntwoman, Scott became a symbol of professionalism, skill, and perseverance in an era when women rarely received recognition for their contributions behind the scenes. Today she is remembered as one of Hollywood’s greatest horse specialists and one of the most influential stuntwomen of the studio era.

Awards and Honors

• Hollywood Stuntmen Hall of Fame Inductee (1980)
• Screen Extras Guild Gold Lifetime Membership Card Recipient — awarded for more than 25 years of service in the motion picture industry.
• Governor’s Cup of California Champion (1937) — Captain of the women’s polo team that won the Governor’s Cup of California.

Distinctions & Industry Recognition

• One of the longest-serving stuntwomen in Hollywood history, with a stunt career spanning from 1928 to 1966.
• Widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s premier horse specialists and equestrian stunt performers.
• Served as stunt and riding double for many of Hollywood’s most famous leading ladies, including Bette Davis, Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Marlene Dietrich, Rosalind Russell, Barbara Stanwyck, Carole Lombard, Jeanette MacDonald, and Mae West.
• Ranked among the nation’s leading female polo players and accomplished steeplechase riders.
• Helped establish the professional standard for female horse specialists during Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Notable Filmography

Year	Title	Position
1928	Hangman’s House	Stunt Performer
1933	Queen Christina	Riding Double for Greta Garbo
1934	The Scarlet Empress	Riding Double for Marlene Dietrich
1938	Jezebel	Stunt Double for Bette Davis
1939	The Women	Riding Double for Norma Shearer
1942	Now, Voyager	Stunt Double for Bette Davis
1944	Buffalo Bill	Stunt Double
1947	Pursued	Stunt Double for Judith Anderson
1949	White Heat	Stunt Double for Virginia Mayo
1964	Mary Poppins	Stunt Performer

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