Marguerite Happy

Career Highlights

• Inducted into the Hollywood Stuntmen’s Hall of Fame in 2010 alongside her husband, Clifford Happy.
• Built a distinguished career as one of Hollywood’s leading horse specialists and stuntwomen.
• Performed stunt work and stunt doubling on major productions including Back to the Future Part III, Die Hard 2, The Mask of Zorro, Charlie Angels: Full Throttle, and Thelma & Louise.

Biography

Marguerite Happy is one of Hollywood’s most accomplished horse specialists and stuntwomen, a performer whose career combined elite rodeo skills with decades of work in film and television. Raised in a family deeply connected to horses and western traditions, she developed exceptional riding abilities at an early age and became a successful competitor in rodeo events, particularly barrel racing. Her expertise in horsemanship would ultimately become the foundation of a remarkable stunt career that spanned more than forty years. Through dedication, versatility, and a fearless approach to action, Happy established herself as one of the industry’s most respected female stunt professionals.

Before entering Hollywood, Happy built an impressive reputation in the rodeo world. She competed extensively as a barrel racer and became a member of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. Her mastery of horseback riding, livestock handling, and western skills made her ideally suited for the demands of motion picture stunt work. At a time when horse specialists were among the most valuable performers in the industry, Happy’s combination of athleticism, precision, and experience quickly earned her opportunities in both film and television productions. Her rodeo background provided a level of authenticity that few performers could match.

As her stunt career expanded, Happy became known as one of Hollywood’s premier horsewomen while developing expertise in many other aspects of stunt performance. She worked on major productions including Thelma & Louise (1991), Die Hard 2 (1990), Back to the Future Part III (1990), The Mask of Zorro (1998), and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003). Whether doubling actresses, performing horseback action, coordinating livestock, or participating in large-scale stunt sequences, she consistently demonstrated the professionalism and adaptability required of top stunt performers. Her ability to transition seamlessly between westerns, action films, and modern blockbusters made her a valued member of countless productions.

Throughout her career, Happy became closely associated with the legendary Happy stunt family, one of the most respected names in the stunt profession. Together with her husband, stuntman Clifford Happy, she contributed to a legacy of excellence that spanned generations of stunt performers. Her reputation within the industry was built not only on her skills as a rider and stuntwoman, but also on her reliability, work ethic, and commitment to safety. Fellow performers and filmmakers recognized her as a consummate professional whose expertise could be trusted in even the most demanding situations.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to stunt performance and equestrian action, Marguerite Happy was inducted into the Hollywood Stuntmen Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2010. Her career stands as a testament to the vital role horse specialists have played throughout motion picture history, from classic westerns to modern action films. Today, she is remembered as one of Hollywood’s premier horsewomen and stunt performers, a trailblazer whose work helped preserve the traditions of western stunt work while adapting them to a new generation of filmmaking.

Awards and Honors

• Hollywood Stuntmen Hall of Fame Inductee (2010)
• Reel Cowboys Silver Spur Award Recipient (2017)

Distinctions & Industry Recognition

• Champion barrel racer and accomplished rodeo competitor.
• Member of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.
• Member of the multi-generational Happy stunt family.
• One of Hollywood’s most respected horse specialists and stuntwomen.

Notable Filmography

Year	Title	Position
1990	Back to the Future Part III	Horse Specialist / Stunt Performer
1990	Die Hard 2	Stunt Performer
1991	Thelma & Louise	Stunt Performer / Stunt Double
1993	Tombstone	Horse Specialist / Stunt Performer
1994	Maverick	Horse Specialist / Stunt Performer
1998	The Mask of Zorro	Horse Specialist / Stunt Performer
2000	The Patriot	Horse Specialist / Stunt Performer
2003	Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle	Stunt Performer
2003	Seabiscuit	Horse Specialist / Animal Action Specialist
2011	Cowboys & Aliens	Horse Specialist / Stunt Performer

Photo Gallery