From War Boy To Leading Man: The 7 Must-See Movies And Stunt Roles Of Ben Smith-Petersen

Ben Smith-Petersen has quietly built one of the most dynamic and impressive careers in modern Hollywood, transitioning from an elite, high-octane stuntman to a compelling actor. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the Australian performer is experiencing a significant career pivot, securing a major starring role in an upcoming horror film that is set to redefine his public image beyond his celebrated marriage to actress Riley Keough. This article dives deep into his full filmography, highlighting the blockbuster stunt work that shaped his career and the recent acting projects that are making him a new face to watch on screen.

The latest and most anticipated project for fans is his lead role in the indie horror film *The Dead Thing*, which is scheduled for a major streaming release in early 2025. This move from being a behind-the-scenes action hero to a front-and-center leading man demonstrates the remarkable versatility and dedication that has underpinned his entire professional journey, which began years ago on the intense, dusty sets of the *Mad Max* franchise. His work spans nearly every major genre, cementing his status as a true industry polymath.

Ben Smith-Petersen: Full Biography and Career Overview

Ben Smith-Petersen is an Australian stunt performer, actor, writer, and assistant director. He is perhaps most widely known for his marriage to actress Riley Keough, the granddaughter of rock and roll legend Elvis Presley and daughter of Lisa Marie Presley, but his professional credits stand on their own as a testament to a formidable career in film.

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• Full Name: Ben Smith-Petersen
• Nationality: Australian
• Primary Professions: Stuntman, Actor, Writer, Assistant Director
• Training: Started performing on the flying trapeze at the age of 14, which laid the groundwork for his stunt career.
• Spouse: Riley Keough (m. 2015). The couple met in 2012 while filming *Mad Max: Fury Road* in Namibia.
• Children: The couple has two children, a daughter (born 2022) and a second child (welcomed in 2025).
• Breakout Stunt Role: Stunt Performer on *Mad Max: Fury Road* (2015).
• Breakout Acting Role: Kyle in *The Dead Thing* (2025).
• Notable Stunt Credits: *The Hunger Games: Catching Fire*, *Suicide Squad*, *Barbie*.

The Stuntman Era: Blockbuster Stunts and High-Octane Action

Before his transition to acting, Ben Smith-Petersen was a highly respected member of the international stunt community, contributing to some of the biggest blockbuster films of the last decade. His background in the flying trapeze gave him a unique skillset for complex aerial and physical stunts, making him a sought-after professional for action-heavy productions. His stunt work is a crucial part of his film narrative and provides a deep well of topical authority for his career.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) and Furiosa (2024)

The *Mad Max* franchise is arguably the most significant chapter in Smith-Petersen’s career for both professional and personal reasons. He met his future wife, Riley Keough, on the set of *Mad Max: Fury Road* in 2012 while working as a stunt performer on the George Miller film.

• Stunt Work: His work on *Fury Road* involved the intense, practical effects-heavy action that the film is famous for, including car crashes, fights, and high-risk wire work.
• Acting Role (2024): He returned to the franchise for the prequel, *Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga* (2024), where he had an uncredited acting role as the Ace War Boy. This role is a perfect example of his ability to cross over, blending his stunt experience with a small but memorable on-screen presence.

A Comprehensive List of Blockbuster Stunt Credits (LSI Keywords)

Smith-Petersen’s versatility in the stunt world is evident in the sheer range of films he has worked on. His credits include doubling for actors and performing complex sequences across multiple major studio franchises and genres. These roles showcase his dedication to the craft of filmmaking and provide a rich list of entities for topical depth:

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• *Barbie* (2023): One of the most commercially successful films of all time, he contributed to the film's stunt sequences.
• *Suicide Squad* (2016): Involved in the extensive action choreography of the DC Comics villain ensemble movie.
• *The Hunger Games: Catching Fire* (2013): A major early credit in a massive young adult franchise.
• *The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies* (2014): Demonstrating his skills in large-scale fantasy battle sequences.
• *The Great Gatsby* (2013): Showcasing his ability to work on visually stylized, non-action-focused films.
• *Triple Frontier* (2019): A high-profile crime-drama adventure film.
• *Peter Rabbit* (2018): Served as a stunt double on the live-action/animated adventure.
• *American Boogeywoman* (2021): A thriller-crime film credit.
• *Manodrome* (2023): A more recent credit in the mystery/thriller genre.

The Dead Thing (2025): Ben Smith-Petersen's Breakout Acting Role

The most significant and current development in Ben Smith-Petersen’s career is his starring role in the indie horror film *The Dead Thing*. This project marks a definitive shift, moving him from the background of major blockbusters to the forefront of a highly anticipated genre release. The film, directed by Elric Kane, is a surreal and erotic horror movie that explores the complexities of modern dating and intimacy with a dark twist.

Key Details of The Dead Thing

The film has generated buzz in the indie horror community and is a major focal point for his acting career, giving him a leading role with significant screen time. He stars opposite actress Blu Hunt (*The New Mutants*).

• Role: Kyle, a mysterious suitor whom the protagonist, Alex (Blu Hunt), falls for after a series of one-night stands.
• Genre: Surreal Horror, Erotic Thriller, Dating Horror.
• Director: Elric Kane (co-written with Webb Wilcoxen).
• Release Date: February 14, 2025 (Set for release on the Shudder streaming platform).
• Significance: This is Smith-Petersen’s most prominent acting role to date, requiring him to carry the emotional and narrative weight of a complex character.

Early Acting and Writing Credits

Smith-Petersen’s acting journey began years before *The Dead Thing*. He is also credited as a writer and has explored various roles across different mediums:

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• *Spark and Light* (2014): A short film commissioned by the luxury fashion house Miu Miu as part of their *Women's Tales* series. He co-starred in this film alongside his then-fiancée, Riley Keough, marking one of their first on-screen collaborations. The film was directed by So Yong Kim.
• *The Dead Don't Die* (2019): While primarily known for his stunt work, he has also appeared in other films, with some sources listing a role in Jim Jarmusch's all-star zombie comedy.
• Writer Credits: He is also credited as a writer on a number of projects, indicating a desire to contribute to the creative process beyond performance.

The Power Couple: Collaborations with Riley Keough

The shared professional lives of Ben Smith-Petersen and Riley Keough often intersect, creating a Hollywood love story that began amidst the chaos of a post-apocalyptic film set. Their relationship, which started during the filming of *Mad Max: Fury Road*, has led to occasional professional collaborations and a strong mutual respect for each other's work.

Beyond *Spark and Light* and the *Mad Max* franchise, the couple continues to support each other's ventures. In recent news from 2024, it was reported that Riley Keough and Ben Smith-Petersen recently filmed a scene for a project together. While the name of this specific project remains undisclosed, the fact that they are actively seeking opportunities to collaborate on screen or behind the scenes confirms their shared passion for film and their commitment to working together as a creative partnership. This ongoing collaboration highlights how Smith-Petersen's career is not just about stunts and acting, but also about a deep, shared creative life with one of Hollywood's most intriguing figures.

Ben Smith-Petersen's career is a fascinating case study of a performer who mastered a highly specialized skill—stunt work—and then successfully leveraged that experience and on-set knowledge to transition into a leading acting role. With *The Dead Thing* premiering on Shudder in February 2025 and his recent work on *Furiosa*, his shift from the shadows of blockbuster action to the spotlight of the screen is officially complete. He is a testament to the fact that some of the most compelling talent in the film industry often starts where the action is most intense and physically demanding.