Rick McCallum Interview
Interviewed by Maggie Roberge
Rick McCallum is a stuntman and actor who has worked on over 30 films since his first film in 1983 “Lone Wolf McQuade” with Chuck Norris. “Lone Wolf McQuade” is also where he first met Kane Hodder, who is now not only a dear friend, but also co-founder of the Hollywood Ghost Hunters. Rick has worked on many notable films such as Dark Wolf and more recently “Hatchet II,” where he again worked with Kane Hodder. He and Kane have worked on many films, and both have investigated many haunted locations.
How and why did you get into acting/stunts?
He just decided he wanted to go into filmmaking, so he went out to Hollywood to find work. His first film was “Lone Wolf McQuade” doing stunts with Kane Hodder. He first knew he wanted to become a stuntman when he was 3 years old, after his parents took him to a John Wayne movie. In the film he saw a covered wagon thrown off a cliff, and later when he was at home, actually rode a red wagon of his down the stairs (with disastrous results). He and his father both knew that from then on he’d end up becoming a stuntman.
How much training was involved?
Like most stuntmen, he had already been very athletic in school and studied martial arts for many years. At first he started out doing small things for films, and not always on camera, so the directors could see what he could do to make a good scene while at the same time not injuring himself. If he could show he was capable of this he got a call-back.
Has Rick ever turned down a role because it was too dangerous?
There was one particular role he turned down because of a stunt that would have seriously injured him if he tried it. The director wanted him to jump down from 25ft. above hard concrete, without a stunt bag to catch him. Of course since Rick always tries to be as safe as possible when doing stunts for each film, he said he wouldn’t do it (because of course he would have broken bones or worse).
Hollywood Ghost Hunters
How did Rick become interested in the paranormal?
All his life, Rick has had experiences with ghosts and the supernatural. Even before he started ghost hunting, for over 30 years, he has seen apparitions, feel strange presences, etcetera. One of the most memorable experiences he had was when he had been writing a script late one night. He went into the kitchen and stopped when he caught site of something moving. For a while he stared at it, thinking it might have been a burglar, but it never made a move. Finally when he went over and turned on the light, there was nothing there, with no signs of anyone coming in or leaving.
How many sites have the Hollywood Ghost Hunters investigated?
Rick and the other ghost hunters have already investigated dozens of sites, such as Sloss Furnaces in Alabama, South Hospital in Pittsburgh, the Queen Mary, and Pico House in Los Angeles. For Pico House, they joined up with The Ghost Adventures team to see what could be discovered. Rick was accompanied by Kane Hodder, and R.A. Mihailoff (most famous for playing Leatherface in Texas Chainsaw Massacre III).
Has Rick ever been touched or attacked by a ghost?
He has definitely been touched by ghosts. At Sloss Furnaces in Alabama, he had been preparing his camera, when he felt something brush by his should and across his chest. He looked up and asked if anyone had touched him, no one had. Later, when he was down in a tunnel with Steve Nappe (uncredited victim in Jason X and fellow ghost hunter/believer), Steve was shoved from behind right into Rick, when there was no one else in the tunnel with them.
What does Rick look for in fellow ghost hunters?
First of all and most importantly, they have to be interested in actually hunting ghosts. While the Hollywood Ghost Hunters have both believers and skeptics on the team, they all still have an interest in investigating them. Also, since they’re the Hollywood Ghost Hunters, they’re all filmmakers in the industry. Kane Hodder was the first one to be recruited, after he and Rick saw a shadowy figure while they were filming a movie in Mansfield, Ohio. Other members include R.A. Mihailoff, Chris Carnel (The Miner in “My Bloody Valentine 3D”), Steve Nappe, Adam Green (writer/director of “Hatchet” and “Hatchet II”) and more.
What’s next for Hollywood Ghost Hunters?
They’ve started talking to production companies about getting their own TV show, like the Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters teams. Already there’s been interest and hopefully we can see them on TV among the other ghost hunters.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0564768/
https://www.rickmccallum.com/
