Review of "Behind the Stars" by Chad Gregory

Score: 95/100 (9.5 out of 10)

Behind the Stars by Chad Gregory is one of the most pleasant surprises of the season!

While short in length, it's thick and dense in substance!

What do we mean by that? Well, Behind the Stars isn't just a book about being a stand in or double for Hollywood stars, it's a book about performing at your best, being a professional, showing up every day, getting 1% better every day, and following your dreams!

We did not expect all of that!

And it resonated with us. Why? Well, because many of us have been actors in various capacitates whether on stage, or just background extras. We've interacted with big-name stars and smaller ones. We've talked to directors, assistant directors, and crew. It's absolutely fascinating to be involved in the intricate filmmaking process, but it's also intimidating.

The thought has always lingered: most of these people make a lot more than we do. Some of them are millionaires. Some of them are household names. It's a sobering thought to be a hand's reach away from someone who is known to millions. It can make you feel invisible, inadequate, and inferior. It can make you feel small, weak, or invaluable.

This is true for us as authors and book reviewers as well. Brandon Sanderson and others frequently use the same building as us for signing events. It's easy to feel starstruck, but it's also easy to feel a bit down as well. After all, these people seem to be where we can seemingly only dream to be: rich and famous.

But Gregory, a legitimate stand in and double for A-list celebrities (one in particular), is great to remind readers that they are valuable. In fact, no one is "untouchable" or greater than anyone else in the eyes of God, as reaffirmed in the "Me Too" section. People who thought they could take advantage and exploit others were eventually brought to justice. Meanwhile, those who did the right things and held onto their integrity were vindicated. In fact, one of our favorite parts of the book was when Gregory talked about how you should be willing to stand up for those who are being taken advantage of in the industry, such as being shorted of their overtime pay. It's not making a fuss, it's doing the right thing. It's letting everyone know that you're more than someone who's there for a paycheck.

Speaking of being valuable and important in the face of celebrities and powerful people, Gregory has several key quotes reaffirming this.

For example:

"It’s not about stealing the show—it’s about owning your piece of it. You’re the unsung hero... quiet, steady, and clutch. The benefits? Work, wisdom, trust, sanity, growth. You’re not just standing in. You’re standing out, even if they don’t shout your name."

“A stand-in doesn’t get the spotlight. No one’s chanting their name. But there’s a truth in their work, a quiet power, that’s worth more than any red carpet.”

“Stand-ins don’t get trailers or red carpets, but the best ones carry an intrinsic pride that doesn’t need external validation. They know that every perfectly lit shot and flawless take bears their imprint. Their reward lies in the knowledge that their skill elevated the production, even if their name never graces the credits.”

"A carpenter doesn’t sand a table’s underside for praise; they do it because the work demands it. Similarly, a stand-in’s pride isn’t about recognition—it’s about integrity. They’re not there to steal the show but to ensure the show succeeds.”

We really love passages like these. They actually extend far beyond being in filmmaking. They extend into every aspect of life.

They're applicable.

That's what we love.

Do what you do well. That seems to be one of the big take-home messages of the book.
On top of that: take pride in what you do.

There are a lot of great quotes and phrasing about taking pride in your work:

"Pride in performance means dodging these traps, so stay sharp, skip crafty, shut up, keep it professional, stand still, let the gig come to you, show up early, show up period, and stay off the radar."

"Later, when the actor steps in, the scene flows effortlessly because the stand-in’s mastery laid the groundwork. That’s pride in performance: a silent vow to be exceptional, even in the shadows."

Do things because you're a professional and that's what you do, not because you get cheers and applause. The reward is in your heart and in your soul—knowing that you did a good job. The other part of the reward is when you get paid and you keep getting invited back to get paid.

We yapped a lot about our feelings about the book, but what about the contents of the book itself?

Well, this book is the culmination of years of work by Chad Gregory, a professional stand in and double in films. While the author never explicitly states it, it can strongly be inferred and researched that he was a stand in and double for none other than Sylvester Stallone, who, according to the author is "arguably the most iconic actor in the history of TV and film." Stallone is famous for the Rocky and Rambo movies, both of which are iconic. Heck, the Rocky franchise might be our favorite movie series of them all!

Of this mysterious famous actor, Gregory says he is "an A-list superstar, a true American icon. His work and name transcend TV and film." Indeed!

If you look up Chad Gregory's IMDB and photos, it's no surprise. He looks just like Stallone! Especially with sunglasses. Their body-types are identical, which is really encouraging for people who put effort into staying in shape. It also gives some hope to those who aren't quite six-feet or taller. Gregory talks a lot about people who get roles because of their height, yes, even average-sized and shorter people.

Gregory talks about how he knows someone who got a role just because he was 5'10" exactly! Hmmm... wonder who that could've been!

This book provides a lot of great and applicable advice to being in a stand in or double role.

One of the key things that Gregory keeps emphasizing is how you should study the actor you're supposed to mimic. Study for hours. Gregory half-jokes about how he should have a PhD in every actor he stands in for. He studies their tendencies, their ticks, their postures, their gaits—everything he can.

He also talks about who to get to know on the set, particularly the 1st AD (assistant director) who is usually in the know about what's going on.

He talks about always being ready and available, not hanging out by the snacks or chatting on the side.

Something else he talked about was self-control, especially avoiding fidgeting and unnecessary movements like bouncing or twitching on the set. Stillness is a virtue when you're a stand in. Why? Well, because the lighting and camera crews have to base everything you do off of you. So if you're moving all over the place, it's going to be a mess! It's going to be very frustrating.

Oh, speaking of not being frustrating, Gregory also talks about things to do and things not to do. You don't want to be the one who's known as a nuisance on set. That's a good way to never be invited back or be replaced on the spot.

This really made us think about other roles and occupations in life--inglorious, quiet ones. Maybe you're a garbage man. Maybe you're a janitor. Heck, maybe you're an offensive lineman in college or even the NFL. The spotlight may not be on you, but do your job! Do it well!

We loved that message.

Check it out on Amazon!