In the early decades of Hollywood, stunt work was dominated by white men. When a female actor or an actor of color needed a stunt double, the industry used practices known as 'wigging' (putting a wig on a man to double for a woman) and 'paint-downs' (applying dark makeup to a white stuntman to double for a non-white actor). This wasn't just a matter of convenience; it actively prevented women and minorities from entering the profession. It wasn't until 1967, with the formation of the Black Stuntmen's Association, that these practices were systematically challenged. While 'wigging' still occasionally happens when a specific skill is needed, 'paint-downs' are now strictly condemned by the SAG-AFTRA union, marking a slow but significant shift toward diversity in the high-risk world of stunts.