body double
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Puzzle #250 · February 6, 2026
Body double is a performer hired to stand in for an actor during nudity, dangerous stunts (often called a stunt double), or specific shots where the actor's face doesn't matter. The term was first recorded around 1990-95, but the practice is older —the first paid body double appeared in 1908 during ‘Count of Monte Cristo.’
The cultural anchor is Brian De Palma's 1984 film ‘Body Double’, initially a commercial failure earning only $8.8 million. But the film became a cult classic and helped popularize the term. Body doubles aren't just for dangerous shots.
Julia Roberts had a body double in Pretty Woman (1990) for some of the more revealing shots, including the movie poster. It's a famous example of how the industry works: you're still seeing ‘Julia Roberts’ even when you're seeing someone else - Shelley Michelle in this case.
The term is specific to professional filmmaking, but it extends into a broader idea: someone carrying your image through sequences you won't perform.
The cultural anchor is Brian De Palma's 1984 film ‘Body Double’, initially a commercial failure earning only $8.8 million. But the film became a cult classic and helped popularize the term. Body doubles aren't just for dangerous shots.
Julia Roberts had a body double in Pretty Woman (1990) for some of the more revealing shots, including the movie poster. It's a famous example of how the industry works: you're still seeing ‘Julia Roberts’ even when you're seeing someone else - Shelley Michelle in this case.
The term is specific to professional filmmaking, but it extends into a broader idea: someone carrying your image through sequences you won't perform.
Puzzle Appearances
The expression body double has appeared in 1 puzzle:
- Puzzle #250 on February 6, 2026
Rate of Appearance in English Language Print
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