Stunt

A stunt is an unusual and difficult physical feat or an act requiring a special skill, performed for artistic purposes usually on TV, theatre, or cinema. Stunts are a big part of many action films.

Before computer generated imagery special effects, these effects were limited to the use of models, false perspective and other in-camera effects, unless the creator could find someone willing to jump from car to car or hang from the edge of a skyscraper: the stunt performer or stunt double.