Semyon Grigoriev, a Soviet and Israeli stuntman and actor, embarked on a remarkable journey that spanned multiple decades and continents. His professional journey began in 1968-1973 as a soloist with the folk dance ensemble "Palace of the Sailors" in Odessa. This was followed by his education at a choreographic school, where he received a degree in ballet dancing in 1975.
He further honed his skills at the Kiev School of Variety and Circus Art, graduating in 1981. Semyon's early career was marked by his work at the Estrada Theater, where he performed as a ballet dancer, stuntman, actor, and teacher of plastic, stage movement, and stage combat. He then transitioned to the Grotesque Theater at the Odessa Philharmonic, where he continued to refine his craft.
In 1987, Semyon pursued further education at continuing courses for senior cinema workers at VGIK, specializing in stunt and battle scenes. He emerged as one of the top ten most sought-after stunt specialists in the Soviet Union, earning him recognition and opportunities. In 1989, Semyon made the bold decision to emigrate to Israel, where he would later repatriate as Shimon Volpert.
Upon his arrival in Israel, Shimon created an extraordinary stunt team in the early 1990s, working on numerous Hollywood and European films, including Women’s Prison, Deltofors, American Ninja, and more. As his reputation grew, so did his desire to share his expertise with others. Shimon began teaching his unique techniques to fellow immigrants from the former Soviet Union, many of whom were athletes with backgrounds in various martial arts styles.
The formation of his stunt team as a professional brigade can be attributed to his work on the "Gladiators' Show" project, which took place in the ancient Roman amphitheater in Caesarea. This project marked a significant milestone in Semyon's career, as he developed a unique system of training for actors and stuntmen that emphasized softness, guaranteeing invulnerability to falls and bumps.
This innovative technique earned Semyon the nickname "Crazy Russian" among Western stuntmen, who were impressed by his ability to perform daring stunts with minimal special insurance tools and without getting injured. Today, Shimon heads his own martial art school in Lod, where he continues to share his expertise and inspire a new generation of stunt performers.
