Meet Corey Diamond | Stunt Performer & Martial Arts Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Corey Diamond and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Corey, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I can always think back to being a kid and remember how enthralled I was with Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Pro Wrestling, action movies, etc. If I wasn’t in the house watching any of those shows, I was outside in the yard pretending to be one of my favorite characters. Eventually, my mom would enroll me into martial arts and my life would revolve around training, performing, and teaching. Through out my martial arts journey I would travel nationally and internationally to teach and perform, compete on world champion demonstration teams and compete as a Red Bull sponsored athlete. Now, I work as a stunt performer in the film industry. I feel like it has given me the opportunity to inspire people/kids just as I had been.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Being a stunt performer in the film industry can come in many shapes and sizes. A performer’s skill set can range from fight scenes, doubling actors, precision driving, guns/tactical, weapons, high falls, water work, acrobatics, fire burns, safety, rigging/wire work, wrecks and even delivering dialogue. I would say my strengths lie in the fight scenes, wrecks and acrobatics categories due to my martial arts training, but I greatly enjoy training other facets of the business. My first professional stunt job I got to work on the Netflix series, Cobra Kai. I grew up watching Karate Kid with my dad, so naturally I am proud to say I got to be apart of the continuation of something I held so dear to me as a child! That being said, I’m always excited about projects that I or friends have worked on. At times we put our lives on the line and our heart and soul into projects.
Getting into the stunt industry is no easy task considering the inherent level of danger involved. As a performer, your understanding of safety protocols for you and everyone around you is essential to keep people safe. Developing relationships and building trust with Stunt Coordinators goes a long way.
In my opinion, one of the great things about this business is that it pulls many different walks of life to one place. Those with different stories and upbringings. Along with people who have been in the business for years and have seen it all to the new guys. A common theme that seems to be on repeat is “have fun and do cool stuff.”
My goal with being a stunt performer is to be a great story teller and hopefully inspire people to “have fun and do cool stuff!”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would definitely need to take a trip to Vortex! Love the burgers and Laughing skull beer. I love taking the wife and kids to Zoo Atlanta and Georgia Aquarium.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family and friends for always encouraging me to do what I love and never letting me give up on my dreams and aspirations. Janet Diamond, Jason Neil, Malisa Diamond, Stephen Renney, Ciel Solwazi, Cory Dunson, Bobby James and Melissa Hwang.

Instagram: @CoreyDiamond

Image Credits
Stephen Renney, Dezion Fuller and Cristina Fuller