{{short description|American actress}} {{For|the American painter Harry Leslie Hoffman|Harry Hoffman (painter)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{infobox person | name = Leslie Hoffman | image= Leslie Leather jacket color crop 2.jpg | caption= Hoffman in 1980 | birth_name= Leslie Gail Hoffman<ref name="TAF">{{Cite AV media |url=http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/leslie-hoffman |title=Leslie Hoffman interview, Chapter 1 |date=March 10, 2003 |type=video |publisher=Television Academy Foundation |people=Rutkowski, Gary}}</ref> | birth_place = Saranac Lake, New York, US | othername = | occupation = Former stunt performer, actress<br />Former stunt coordinator<br />Permanently disabled due to continuous physical trauma as a stuntwoman <br /> Former Labor Leader | years_active = 1976–2002 | website = {{URL|http://www.instagram.com/the_leslie_hoffman/}} }}
'''Leslie Gail Hoffman''' (born January 21) is an American former stunt performer, stunt coordinator, and actress.
==Career==
Hoffman's early education and training included gymnastics, ballet camps, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Herbert Berkoff Studios in New York.<ref name="TAF" /> She was inspired to pursue stunt acting on seeing a Universal Studios Tour stunt show. She traveled to California to study at stuntman Paul Stader's stunt gym.<ref name="TAF" />
She began stunt work in the 1970s with the film ''Two-Minute Warning'' (1976),<ref name="TAF" /> and several television series, including ''Police Story'' and ''M*A*S*H''. She performed a 78-foot high fall into water for ''The Love Boat'', and did some work on ''Fantasy Island'' and ''Charlie's Angels''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Meyer |first=Norma |date=May 19, 1977 |title=Her Secret: Very Carefully - Human Torch Is a Brunette |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/644995612.html?dids=644995612:644995612&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+19%2C+1977&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=HER+SECRET%3A+VERY+CAREFULLY&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131172148/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/644995612.html?dids=644995612:644995612&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+19,+1977&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=HER+SECRET:+VERY+CAREFULLY&pqatl=google |archive-date=January 31, 2013 |work=Los Angeles Times |page=SF1}}{{subscription required}}</ref> She was the double for the six-foot tall Lainie Kazan in a circular stair fall for ''Columbo''.<ref name="TAF" /> She also stunt doubled for Doris Roberts in the TV series ''Remington Steele''. Film acting work included ''Avalanche'' (1978),<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Avalanche'' cast and crew |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/21385/avalanche |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208104651/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/21385/Avalanche/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 8, 2011 |publisher=Turner Classic Movies}}</ref> ''Deadly Friend'' (1986),<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Deadly Friend'' cast and crew |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/16693/deadly-friend |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023095913/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/16693/Deadly-Friend/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |publisher=Turner Classic Movies}}</ref> ''Trust Me'' (1989) and ''The Naked Gun'' (1988).<ref name="TCMCredits">{{Cite web |title=Leslie Hoffman Filmography |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/87576%7c0/leslie-hoffman#filmography |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104132535/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/87576%7C0/Leslie-Hoffman/#filmography |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |publisher=Turner Classic Movies}}</ref>
Hoffman played the Hall Guard in the original ''Nightmare on Elm Street'' (1984),<ref name="TCMCredits" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=del Barco |first=Mandalit |date=October 3, 2005 |title=O.J. Simpson Verdict Leaves Lasting Legacy |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4934510 |publisher=NPR}}</ref> and performed stunt work in ''I Wanna Hold Your Hand'' (1978), ''Motel Hell'' (1980), ''Resurrection'' (1980), ''Clue'' (1985), ''Alien Nation'' (1988), ''Mars'' (1997) and ''Mystery Men'' (1999). She served as stunt coordinator for, and acted in, the ABC After School Special ''Me and My Hormones'' (1996).<ref name="TCMCredits" /><!-- IMDb also says "wrestler"--> She performed as the stunt-double for Laurie Metcalf in ''Scream 2'' (1997).
==Union involvement==
Hoffman was the first stuntwoman elected to the Screen Actors Guild Board of Directors, where she served from 1981 to 1984. As a director, she advocated for stuntwomen and stuntpersons of color, advocating for equal work and representation in the union.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saravia |first=Jerry |date=May 4, 2011 |title=SAG's McCarthyism on a Stuntwoman |url=http://www.laborunionreport.com/portal/2011/05/sags-mccarthyism-on-a-stuntwoman/ |publisher=LaborUnionReport.com}}</ref><!-- seeking independent RS --> She served as the Co-Chair and the Chair on the National Stunt and Safety Committee. She was the Chair of the Stuntwomen Committee under the Stunt National Stunt and Safety Committee. Being interested in the safety of young Actors, she was the Co-Chair of the Young Performers Committee. The Screen Actors Guild, along with Barrie Howard the Chair of the Committee, sent them up to Sacramento told talk about the Twilight Zone accident.
She lost her bid for re-election in 1985.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bernstein |first=Harry |date=November 6, 1985 |title=Patty Duke Is Elected President of Actors Guild |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-11-06-me-4693-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>
Hoffman was also the first stuntperson elected to the AFTRA Los Angeles Local Board and the AFTRA National Board. With the help of Frank Maxwell, AFTRA President and Howard Caine, AFTRA Board Member, the category of Stunts was created.
From the 1990s onward, she worked as a stunt coordinator and rigger on several films, as well as continuing to double for several actresses in feature films and television. Her work includes stunt acting roles in multiple episodes of the ''Star Trek: Voyager'' and ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' television series. Hoffman provided stunt coordination for student film productions for USC, Loyola Marymount University<ref>{{Cite web |title=LMU Handbook : Stunts and Coordinators |url=http://www.lmu.edu/Asset5849.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322014843/http://www.lmu.edu/Asset5849.aspx |archive-date=2012-03-22 |publisher=Loyola Marymount University |page=65 |format=PDF}}</ref> and UCLA.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Peter J. |year=1997 |title=''Mulligans!'' Cast and Crew |url=http://www.novapictures.com/mulligans_cast.html |publisher=UCLA}}</ref>
Leslie became disabled in 2002, ending her career as a stuntwoman and stunt coordinator. Now on Social Security Disability due to trauma to her body doing stunt work, Hoffman advocates for fair treatment for disabled stunt performers.<ref name="Robb">{{Cite web |last=Robb |first=David |date=November 3, 2010 |title=Disabled Workers of the World Unite! |url=http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2010/11/03/disabled-workers-of-the-world-unite/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108042459/http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2010/11/03/disabled-workers-of-the-world-unite/ |archive-date=November 8, 2010 |access-date=August 13, 2011 |publisher=HollywoodToday.net}}</ref>
In 2021 Hoffman is running for the Los Angeles Local Board and also to be a Delegate at the SAG-AFTRA Convention
==SAG Pension and Health lawsuit== {{Primary sources|date=October 2025}} Hoffman has been involved with a lawsuit against the Screen Actors Guild Pension and Health Plan for over 8 years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robb |first=David |date=18 June 2015 |title=Former SAG Board Member Leslie Hoffman's Toughest Stunt: Getting Her Union Benefits |url=https://deadline.com/2015/06/former-sag-board-member-leslie-hoffmans-toughest-stunt-getting-her-union-benefits-1201448519/ |access-date=5 October 2019 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Robb |first=David |date=24 June 2015 |title=SAG Pension & Health Plans Strips Disabled Stuntwoman Of Her Pension |url=https://deadline.com/2015/06/sag-pension-health-plans-strips-disabled-stuntwoman-of-her-pension-1201453009/ |access-date=5 October 2019 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Robb |first=David |date=28 October 2016 |title=Judge Dismisses Stuntwoman's Lawsuit Seeking SAG Disability Payments |url=https://deadline.com/2016/10/stunt-woman-lawsuit-dismissed-sag-pension-payments-1201844850/ |access-date=5 October 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Robb |first=David |date=20 January 2017 |title=Department Of Labor Finds $750,000 Misappropriated From SAG Pension & Health Plans |url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/labor-departmentl-finds-750000-dollars-misappropriated-from-sag-pension-heath-plans-1201890902/ |access-date=5 October 2019 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Robb |first=David |date=21 June 2017 |title=SAG Records Dispute Claim That Stuntwoman Worked While Receiving Disability Pay |url=https://deadline.com/2017/06/stuntwoman-leslie-hoffman-sag-pension-and-health-plans-dispute-disability-pay-1202117113/ |access-date=5 October 2019 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> Her most recent victory came against the Plan, January 4, 2019, when the 9th District Court overturned a Lower Court ruling against her for the second time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robb |first=David |date=4 January 2019 |title=Disabled Stuntwoman Leslie Hoffman Wins Major Appeals Court Ruling In Suit Against SAG Pension Plan |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/disabled-stuntwoman-leslie-hoffman-wins-major-appeals-court-ruling-in-suit-against-sag-pension-plan-1202529363/ |access-date=5 October 2019 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref>
November 2019, two Lower Court Judges either ruled against her or did a summary judgement. Then two 9th District Court hearings have overturned the Lower Court decision, stating that the judge "erred". Now the third Lower Court judge appointed to the case has chastised the Screen Actors Guild Pension for all the violations they did, but unfortunately wants the Trustees to review the case.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2019-11-10 |title=Movie Stunt Legend Leslie Hoffman Wins Another Court Round Against Screen Actors Guild. Will SAG Finally Take Care of Her? |url=https://concussioninc.net/?p=14061 |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Concussion Inc. - Author Irvin Muchnick |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hoffman v. Screen Actors Guild Producers Pension Plan, et al. |url=https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/11011900-1-wm.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206062119/https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/11011900-1-wm.pdf |archive-date=2019-12-06 |website=pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com}}</ref>
On January 4, 2019 the 9th District Court of Southern California overturned Judge Manuel's summary judgement and sent it back down to the Lower Court.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robb |first=David |date=2019-11-01 |title=Disabled Stuntwoman Leslie Hoffman Wins Another Court Battle In Long-Running Feud With SAG Pension Plan |url=https://deadline.com/2019/11/disabled-stuntwoman-leslie-hoffman-wins-another-court-battle-in-long-running-feud-with-sag-pension-plan-1202775168/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> It was then ignored by Judge Real until Hoffman's Attorney sent a motion to Real. Real then decided that the case should go to arbitration. Real died before the Arbitration Judge could hear it<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manuel Real, Long-Serving and Frequently Reversed District Judge, Dies at 95 |url=https://www.law.com/therecorder/2019/06/28/manuel-real-long-serving-and-frequently-reversed-district-judge-dies-at-95/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=The Recorder |language=en}}</ref> and the arbitration date was removed from the schedule.
Judge Gary Klausner was then appointed to the case and the SAG Pension and Health Lawyers asked that the arbitration happen, which was approve. No settlement was reached so Judge Klausner had to make a decision on a case that had already been overturn twice by the 9th District Court. He ruled in favor of Leslie Hoffman by remanded it back to the SAG P&H Trustees for a decision.
January 15, 2020 Judge Klausner was replaced by Judge Cormac Carney (no explanation given). Judge Carney has issued a statement that the SAG P&H must pay Ms. Hoffman all back Pension Payments and future ones. Though this seems as a victory the SAG P&H could always appeal this.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hoffman v. Screen Actors Guild Producers Pension Plan et al (2:16-cv-01530), California Central District Court |url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/10890729/Hoffman_v_Screen_Actors_Guild_Producers_Pension_Plan_et_al |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=www.pacermonitor.com}}</ref>
March 19, 2021, for the third time the 9th District Court has overturned a Los Angeles Lower Court Judges ruling against Hoffman <ref>{{Cite news |last=Robb |first=David |title=Former Stuntwoman Leslie Hoffman Wins Another Round In Her Decade-Long Legal Battle For SAG-AFTRA Pension & Health Benefits |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/former-stuntwoman-leslie-hoffman-wins-another-round-in-her-decade-long-legal-battle-for-sag-aftra-pension-health-benefits-1234717737/}}</ref>
Hoffman was won both her Pension Lawsuit by a Judge in 2019. In 2021, a settlement was reached out of court for her Health Plan. She is the only SAG-AFTRA Member that has sued the Producer-SAG Pension and Health Plans and won in both cases <ref>{{Cite web |title=End of an Error: Screen Actors Guild Health Plan Finally Settles Stuntwoman Leslie Hoffman's Long-Running Disability Dispute for $125,000 – Concussion Inc. – Author Irvin Muchnick | date=12 July 2021 |url=https://concussioninc.net/?p=14867}}</ref>
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== Saranac Lake Walk Hall of Fame == On March 31, 2022, Leslie's Hometown honored her by including her in the Walk of Fame. The Plaque is displayed at Hotel Saranac 100 Main Street
thumb|left|Leslie Hoffman as "Hall Guard"
== Saranac Lake Winter Carnival 2024 ==
The theme that year was "Creepy Carnival". Paul Smith College Students asked Leslie Hoffman to ride on their float as the Hall Guard from ''Nightmare on Elm Street''
== Guest at horror and sci-fi conventions ==
In 2024, Leslie Hoffman signed with James Davidson of Davidson & Co. Talent Agents Ltd. to be her Business Manager.
== References == {{Reflist|2}}
== Further reading == *{{Cite book |last=Gregory |first=Mollie |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rttBRG-t6mIC&q=leslie%20hoffman%20stunt&pg=PA335 |title=Women Who Run the Show: How a Brilliant and Creative New Generation of Women Stormed Hollywood |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-312-31634-1 |pages=335–339}}(Google books)
== External links == * {{IMDb name|0389003}} * {{Instagram}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hoffman, Leslie}} Category:Living people Category:American television actresses Category:American stunt performers Category:Actresses from California Category:1955 births Category:People from Saranac Lake, New York Category:Women stunt performers Category:21st-century American women