James Bond`s Kiwi stuntman licensed to thrill

The name's Cooke, Ben Cooke - and as the man charged with keeping Bond fans on the edge of their seats, he's most definitely licensed to thrill - reports the New Zealand Herald.

The British-born, Kiwi-raised stuntman has been Daniel Craig's double for the past two 007 films, picking up an international award for a death-defying jump between two cranes in Casino Royale.

He got his break in the business after moving to London about seven years ago.

Since then he's worked on blockbusters such as Batman Begins, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, with stars such as Matt Damon, Harrison Ford, Ewan McGregor and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

"They're all really cool, just normal, regular people," says Ben, 34, who rates being Bond's double as the ultimate job in his line of work.

"It doesn't get much better than that."

Despite the success of the latest Bond hit, Quantum of Solace, the movie's Kiwi link is little known.

After leaving Britain aged five, he was enrolled on a martial arts course three years later to "get him more co-ordinated", says father Brian.

The sport became a passion, with Ben being crowned a New Zealand martial arts champion before entering the film industry.

Brian, who works at an Auckland store selling British food imported for ex-pats, says he loves telling people about his son's work.

Although Ben and Craig are similar, as you might expect for a stunt double, he can usually spot the difference between his son and the big name star he's standing in for.

"As a kid he dreamed of being a James Bond stunt double. His mum (Lesley) said 'follow your dreams' and he did."

Speaking from America, Ben seemed embarrassed rather than shaken or stirred by his parents' pride, telling the Herald on Sunday he preferred to avoid the limelight.

The former St Kentigern College student said Craig was a perfectionist who was great to work with and they've had the odd drink together - beer rather than martinis.

Ben says Craig even gave him an Omega watch, with a thank you message inscribed on the back, for his work on Quantum of Solace.

He loves his work but admitted to being a little scared about the award-winning jump - from a 46m crane to a 40m one.

In an overseas interview, Craig described the jump as "magnificent, beautiful, and still now when I look at that I think how the f*** did he do that".

Ben had picked up a few injuries and bruises ("if you're not getting beaten up, you're not doing Bond right") but tries to stay focused and professional.

Returning to see his parents and sister when he can - he owns homes here and in London - Ben returned for Christmas, attending a wedding and relaxing on Waiheke Island.

He manages visits here only every 18 months or so.

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