There were actor-stuntmen, and there were actor-stuntmen, and there was Jocko Mahoney, TV's Range Rider in the 50s and a movie Tarzan in the 60s. Between pictures, he taught physical action techniques to some 100 other actors at Columbia Pictures' Film Industry Workshops.

"When a director says 'action,' he means now.  Right now," Mahoney said.  "The actor has no more time to prepare, no more time to rehearse.  He's 'on.'  He must perform.  This is where our Film Industry Workshops does its job and guys like me give something back to the business.  We prepare the actor for the realities of the job.  If you're an actor and not in some kind of workshop, I suggest you find one.  A workshop is where you'll learn your craft and smooth out all your rough edges."

The Film Industry Workshops began as an experiment of actor Tony Miller and wife, Pat.  Directors called them regularly for evaluation of actors being considered for jobs.  Directors called Mahoney for evaluation of actors being considered for tough action roles.

"Let me show you how to take a punch," Mahoney said.

"Excuse me?"

"If you're in a fight scene, you have to hit your marks.  That can be difficult, so you deal with the problems here where there's time and someone to help you work on your moves. You've got to be sure of what you're doing in front of a camera or you won't be around long."