In the earliest days of cinema, actors performed their own dangerous feats—or the director simply hired anyone willing to risk their life for a few dollars. Frank Hanaway, an ex-U.S. Cavalryman, is widely recognized as the first professional film stuntman. He earned his place in history during the filming of 'The Great Train Robbery' (1903). The director, Edwin S. Porter, needed someone who could fall off a moving horse at a gallop without getting injured. Hanaway, thanks to his military training, could perform 'planned falls' safely and repeatedly. This marked the birth of a new profession. Before this, 'stunts' were often performed by circus acrobats or local daredevils, but Hanaway proved that specialized training was required to make action look real on camera without ending the actor's career.