Meet Ed Gale, Chucky's Stunt Double in Child’s Play! [2024]

A 4’3” tall actor and stunt performer, Ed Gale is best known for playing the iconic character Chucky in the 1988 cult classic horror movie Child’s Play. As a professional stunt double, he has also had roles in numerous other films and television shows such as Chopper Chicks in Zombietown (1989), Dolly Dearest (1991), The Adventures of Hercules (1985), and Men in Black (1997).

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Gale started his career performing with a circus troupe at age 11. He was featured on television variety shows such as The Merv Griffin Show and The Mike Douglas Show. After being discovered by director Tom Holland, he was cast to play the role of “Chucky” in Child’s Play. Due to his height, he wore prosthetics to make him look like a doll while performing stunts.

Since then, Ed Gale has made appearances in many other films and TV shows such as Star Trek: Voyager, Seinfeld and Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Animated Series. He also appeared as a guest star on the NBC sitcom Friends.

Outside of acting and stunt work, Ed Gale is an advocate for little people’s rights. He founded the Little People of America organization wich works to provide support for individuals with dwarfism or other types of skeletal dysplasias. He also works actively with various charities that support children with dwarfism or similar disorders.

Ed Gale has accomplished much over his career as an actor and stunt double; from playing one of horror’s most iconic characters to advocating for little people’s rights around the world. His career is something to be admired!

Meet Ed Gale, Chucky's Stunt Double in Child’s Play!

Ed Gale’s Role as Chucky

Ed Gale played the role of Chucky in five films all related to Child’s Play. He made his debut as Chucky in 1988 in the original Child’s Play, and then reprised the role in 1990’s Child’s Play 2, 1991’s Dolly Dearest, 1998’s Bride of Chucky, and 2004’s Seed of Chucky. Gale was also the stunt coordinator for 1998’s Bride of Chucky. In addition to his portrayal of the eponymous character, he also had a minor role in 1989’s Chopper Chicks in Zombietown, playing Bob Littleton.

The Stunt Double of Chucky

Ed Gale was the stunt double for Chucky in the 1988 horror classic, Child’s Play. He is a little person actor and has been active in Hollywood since the mid-1980s. Gale is also known for his roles in films such as Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and Total Recall. He also providd voice-work for animated features such as The Land Before Time and An American Tail. As Chucky’s stunt double, Gale was responsible for performing many of the stunts that were too risky or dangerous for Brad Dourif, who played Chucky in the film.

Is the Horror Movie Chucky Based on a True Story?

Yes, Chucky from the Child’s Play franchise is based on a true story. The story of Robert the Doll is widely believed to have been the inspiration for Chucky. Robert the Doll was allegedly a cursed doll owned by Key West artist Robert Eugene Otto in the early 20th century. According to legend, Otto received the doll as a gift from a Bahamian servant who was skilled in black magic and voodoo. There are reports of strange occurrences surrounding the doll, such as it moving around and laughing without any apparent cause, which led many to believe it was cursed or possessed. It is this tale that inspired what would beome Chucky and his evil presence in the Child’s Play series.

The Animatronic Nature of Chucky

Yes, Chucky was mostly animatronic in the Child’s Play franchise. The original 1988 film used a mix of animatronics and puppetry to create the iconic killer doll, and subsequent films have continued to use puppet versions of Chucky alongside CGI enhancements. The animatronics used for Chucky are highly detailed and allow for a great amount of expression and movement. In some cases, such as Bride of Chucky (1998), two puppets were created to make sure that one could be used during filming while the other was being serviced or repaired after long days of shooting.

Is Chucky a Puppet or an Animatronic?

Chucky was actually an animatronic puppet. Each of the six Chucky puppets used in the movie were created by 3-D printing and then modified with a range of hand-crafted features. The puppets were then made to move using robotic arms, motors, and servos. Animatronics experts worked for months to make sure each puppet was as lifelike as possible, and their movements could be controlled remotely. The result is an incredibly realistic and incredibly creepy Chucky that looks and moves like nothing else in horror cinema today.

Conclusion

Ed Gale is an accomplished actor, stuntman, and special effects artist who has played a wide variety of memorable roles throughout his career. Most notably, he is best known for his portrayal of the iconic villain Chucky from the Child’s Play franchise. As well as performing in the role himself, Ed Gale also served as the stunt double for Chucky, lending his considerable expertise as a stuntman to help bring the character to life on screen. His work on Child’s Play has cemented his place in film history, and makes him an essential part of the franchise’s success.