Leigh Hennessy
Encyclopedia
Leigh Hennessy was raised in Lafayette, Louisiana
. She holds the record, according to the Guinness World Records
, for winning the most US national championships for women. She has more recently had a career as an actress and stunt performer in the U.S. film and television industries.
Her father, Jeff Hennessy
, a retired associate professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
(then named the University of Southwestern Louisiana) was an expert in the sport of trampolining
and was her first trampoline coach. At fourteen years old, Hennessy won her first world title at the first World Age-Group Championships held in London, England in the individual trampoline event for girls 13-14. She earned a master's degree in communication at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, graduating magna cum laude.
After working for Congressman Jimmy Hayes
in Washington, D.C.
, Hennessy's career shifted to stunt work in Hollywood. She has worked as Demi Moore
's stunt double in GI Jane and many other films, television shows and commercials.
In 2006, Hennessy starred in the opening scenes of The Guardian
, a film with Kevin Costner
, in which she played the role of the drowning wife. She was nominated for a Taurus World Stunt Award in 2007 for her work in this movie.
Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette is a city in and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Vermilion River. The population was 120,623 at the 2010 census...
. She holds the record, according to the Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
, for winning the most US national championships for women. She has more recently had a career as an actress and stunt performer in the U.S. film and television industries.
Her father, Jeff Hennessy
Jeff Hennessy
Jeff Hennessy was the United States trampoline team coach from 1964 to 1980. During this period, he coached more trampoline and double mini-tramp world and national champions than any other person in the United States...
, a retired associate professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, or UL Lafayette, is a coeducational, public research university located in Lafayette, Louisiana, in the heart of Acadiana...
(then named the University of Southwestern Louisiana) was an expert in the sport of trampolining
Trampolining
Trampolining is a competitive Olympic sport in which gymnasts perform acrobatics while bouncing on a trampoline. These can include simple jumps in the pike, tuck or straddle position to more complex combinations of forward or backward somersaults and twists....
and was her first trampoline coach. At fourteen years old, Hennessy won her first world title at the first World Age-Group Championships held in London, England in the individual trampoline event for girls 13-14. She earned a master's degree in communication at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, graduating magna cum laude.
After working for Congressman Jimmy Hayes
Jimmy Hayes
James Allison "Jimmy" Hayes is a Republican politician from the state of Louisiana.Born in Lafayette, Hayes graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette . He served in the Louisiana Air National Guard from 1968 to 1974...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Hennessy's career shifted to stunt work in Hollywood. She has worked as Demi Moore
Demi Moore
Demi Guynes Kutcher , known professionally as Demi Moore, is an American actress. After minor roles in film and a role in the soap opera General Hospital, Moore established her career in films such as St...
's stunt double in GI Jane and many other films, television shows and commercials.
In 2006, Hennessy starred in the opening scenes of The Guardian
The Guardian (2006 film)
The Guardian is a 2006 action-adventure drama film starring Kevin Costner, Ashton Kutcher, and Melissa Sagemiller. The film was released on September 29, 2006, and was directed by Andrew Davis, director of The Fugitive...
, a film with Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner
Kevin Michael Costner is an American actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and businessman. He has been nominated for three BAFTA Awards, won two Academy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Costner's roles include Lt. John J...
, in which she played the role of the drowning wife. She was nominated for a Taurus World Stunt Award in 2007 for her work in this movie.
Honors
- In August 2007, Hennessy was inducted into the USA GymnasticsUSA GymnasticsUnited States of America Gymnastics or USAG is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. The mission of USA Gymnastics is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of gymnastics....
Hall of Fame in recognition of her trampoline achievements. Her father was already a member of the Hall of Fame, and they are the first father and daughter ever to be inducted. - World Acrobatics Society Legends Hall of Fame
- USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame
- Southern AAU Athlete of the Year
- Lifetime achievement award from the International Trampoline Federation