Boni Yanagisawa - Professional StuntWoman

*member of V10 Stunts -an invite only group of elite StuntWomen.

Boni was born May 1, 1971 in Huntington Beach, California. Her father, Wilfred Yanagisawa, is Japanese, was born and raised in Honokaa, Big Island (Hawaii) and her mother, Beverly Yanagisawa, Caucasion/mix, was born and raised in Pasadena, California.

Martial Arts is a part of the Yanagisawa family. Boni's Great-Uncle, HARRY ISHISAKA, brought Aikido to California from Hawaii. Harry was Steven Segal's first Sensei. At the age of 20, Boni decided it was time for her to study the art that will teach her more about her heritage...the history of the Japanese warriors. Her name, Yanagisawa, is royalty. She comes from Samurai.

Martial arts has helped Boni grow in many aspects of her life. It has increased her self-confidence, self-esteem, self-discipline, self-control, stress control, concentration, stamina, determination, strength and more.

In 1995 Boni opened a Dojo (Karate school), began competing in martial arts tournaments...and ultimately found her way into the film business and begin working as a Professional Stuntwoman.

Boni's impressive resume includes such films as:

TRANSFORMERS, Charlie's Angels, CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE, The Incredible Hulk, SPIDERMAN 2, Memoirs Of A Geisha, MILLION DOLLAR BABY, Live Free Or Die Hard, BLADES OF GLORY, Crank & Crank 2:High Voltage, FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT, Freedom Writers, GRINDHOUSE, Evan Almighty, MIAMI VICE, Big Mamma's House, MR. AND MRS. SMITH, Collateral, CURSED, Taxi, CATWOMAN, Big Fish, D.E.B.S., Forbidden Warrior, THE LONGEST YARD, Rent, POSEIDON, Night Skies, STAND OFF, Southland Tales, INTERVENTION, American Dreams, SPECIES lll, Feast, DARK HONEYMOON, Smokin' Aces, DEJA VU, Spring Breakdown, GUESS WHO, Bam Bam and Celest, CRUEL WORLD, Plane Dead, GET SMART, This Christmas, MR. BROOKS, Starship Dave, STORM EFFECT and Redbelt.

Her Television Credits include shows:

Reno 911, MORTAL KOMBAT CONQUEST, Star Trek Enterprise, ALIAS, Walker Texas Ranger, THREAT MATRIX, The Heiress, WITHOUT A TRACE, Day Break, BOSTON LEGAL, Pepper Dennis, THE CALL, Andy Baker, IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, The Inside, NIGHT STALKER, Joey, THE COMEBACK, Point Pleasant, HAWAII, Hollywood Division, BOOMTOWN, CSI Miami, SIX FEET UNDER, America's Most Wanted, MAD T.V., Fearless, RHD/LA, John Henson Project, HARRY GREEN & EUGENE, The Lost Room, SOCCER MOM and Passions.

Boni has doubled Actresses:

Bai Ling, DEMI MOORE, Halle Berry, LUCY LUI, Mya, KELLY HU, Jolene Blalock, ZOE SALDAN, Devon Aoki, ALYSON HANNIGAN, Sung Hi Lee, TALISA SOTO, Julia Nixon, VANESSA WILLIAMS, Margaret Cho, LI GONG, Fabiana Udenio, NIA PEEBLES, Lydia Chin, YASUKO TAKAHARA, Marie Maitko, MOMO YAHIMA, Kate Gopaoco, JACLYN GUTIERREZ, Nicole Bilderback, MOON BLOODGOOD, Aya Sumika, ABBY BRAMMELL, Navi Rawat, DANICA STEWART, Darlena Tejeiro and JULIANNA MARGULIES as well as performed many "N.D." Stunts (as herself).

Justin Timberlake slams Boni out the front door of cafe in this Pepsi Stuff Super Bowl ad

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*StuntGirl interviews Professional StuntWoman Boni Yanagisawa:

SG: "What is the most dangerous stunt you have done for a project?"

BONI: "I would have to say... driving in a car hanging out the passenger window, while a helicopter flies directly behind. But, I find there is a certain amount of danger in any stunt that you do."

SG: "Which actress has been the nicest to work with, and most appreciated your work?"

BONI: "Demi Moore, but all the women I have doubled have treated me with the utmost respect and kindness."

SG: "What about making the transition from stuntwomen to actress?"

BONI: "I truly enjoy acting. I believe a lot of stuntwomen think about making that transition and some have done it. I am a stuntwomen who will say yes to the acting job as well."

SG: "Dream projects to work on...past, present or future?"

BONI: "Any job that will take me back to the islands of Hawaii."

SG: "Best project? What work are you the happiest with?"

BONI: "I must say, Mr. Brooks. The stunt went perfectly... with the fantastic stunt crew working together."

SG: "Future projects for V10 stunt team members?"

BONI: "We are always finding new projects, I simply wish to see us all continue working and grow to become worldwide. V10 is a family of friends for life."

my likes...dislikes...& my way of life...
I like having my freedom of choice. I am a 36 yr. old woman living my dreams. I love my family and friends and enjoy exploring with all of my careers from family business, bartender, owner of dojo, flight attendent to stuntwoman. Life is fun!!

Everyone dislikes mean people. But, most of all, I dislike the "tricky ones" who are nice to you...only to find out you have the worst kind of friend, you never knew you had. Ouch! Be careful. That is the toughest lesson I've had to learn.

My way of life..."No Ka Oi"... THE BEST, always be your best. Self respect is everything to me. As long as I have my respect, I can be proud of who I am and be happy with my life. Always treat others the way you wish to be treated. Never forget what is truly important in life..."Family and Friends". When I look back on my life it is my family and friends that hold value....not my career. Important to always remember your career is something you enjoy...family and friends are with you to the end...that is where the love is. Aloha.