**Thad Luckinbill Embraces Adrenaline on Paramount+ Series ‘Lioness’**
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Thad Luckinbill, known for his role as officer Kyle McManus in the thrilling Paramount+ series ‘Lioness,’ has revealed his penchant for high-octane stunts. The 51-year-old actor often participates in his own stunts, relishing the adrenaline rush that comes with high-speed car chases and helicopter rides without doors.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Luckinbill expressed his enthusiasm for the action-packed elements of his role. “I’m one of those weird actors who really enjoy action stunts,” he shared. His love for adrenaline seems to be an intrinsic part of his character, and he admits it’s a passion he has nurtured over the years. “I occasionally race cars and do crazy things,” he noted.
Luckinbill reflected on how his love for action might have redirected his career path if he had not ventured into acting. “For me, had I not been an actor, I probably would have fallen into the stunts. I love it,” he remarked. This fondness for stunt work has not gone unnoticed on the set of ‘Lioness,’ where he has become the preferred choice for some of the more extreme sequences.
Describing his experiences filming, the actor stated, “They tend to stick me in the choppers with no doors, flying around Fort Worth, tethered by a cord.” His involvement with these high-stakes scenes underscores his readiness to embrace the thrilling aspects of his character, which has resonated with viewers since the show premiered in 2023.
Luckinbill’s commitment to performing his own stunts also extends to driving scenes. When his stunt double is unavailable, the actor happily takes over for the “driving stuff and high-speed chases.” He humorously acknowledged, “It’s probably a problem for me, to be honest with you. A need for speed, I guess. I don’t know. But I enjoy it.”
Despite his enthusiasm, Luckinbill is cognizant of the physical limitations that come with age. Acknowledging that he’s “not 21 anymore,” he explained that he now has to defer some stunts to the younger members of the cast. “I do as much as I can these days,” he admitted.
The adrenaline rush appears to run in the family, as Luckinbill’s 19-year-old son, Thaddeus Rowe Luckinbill, Jr., is also a race-car driver. His son has made his mark on the set of Luckinbill’s forthcoming film, ‘Copperhead,’ which features a distinguished cast, including Miles Teller, Jason Momoa, Leila George, Shea Whigham, and Kiefer Sutherland. Luckinbill described ‘Copperhead’ as an action-packed thriller filled with suspense and unexpected twists.
Luckinbill mentioned that his son had been brought on board to contribute his expertise behind the wheel. “I don’t know what he’s gonna do, but he’s a race-car driver,” he said. “So I said, ‘Hey, we need some more drivers on this.’ So he came out, and he’s driving some cars for us tonight.”
In a light-hearted moment during the conversation, Luckinbill acknowledged the shared thrill-seeking nature between him and his son, saying, “Yeah, like father, like son, I guess.”
For fans of action and suspense, ‘Lioness’ is now available to stream on Paramount+, showcasing not just impressive stunts but also the thrilling performances of a cast keen to push their limits. As Thad Luckinbill continues to navigate high-speed pursuits both on and offscreen, it’s evident that his passion for adrenaline fuels not only his career but also a family legacy of riveting excitement.
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