–by Dr. Laura Wilhelm, LauraWil Intercultural
Christopher M. Dukes is a seasoned actor, stuntman, and entrepreneur whose career spans over two decades in film, television, and live performance.
Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Dukes moved to Los Angeles in 1995 after earning a degree in Speech Communications from the University of Nebraska. Known for his versatility and physical prowess, Dukes has performed as a stunt double for Patrick Swayze and worked on major productions like G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. His recent acting credits include NCIS and the upcoming holiday film, A Heart Full of Hope. Other credits include roles in hit series such as Alias, Las Vegas, The West Wing, Transformers, Fresh Off the Boat, Very Frightening Tales, and Pump. His film work includes Angie’s Cure, Twisted Date, Middleton Christmas, Reed’s Point, They Crawl Beneath, and The Christmas Chain.
Beyond acting and stunt work, Dukes is the founder of Dukes Wealth Management, Inc., through which he has managed over $100 million in client assets. He is also a philanthropist, giving back to cancer and veteran organizations in honor of his family’s legacy. With training in improvisation, live performance, and business, Dukes brings a rare combination of talent, heart, and entrepreneurial spirit to every project he takes on.
What do you feel makes you stand out in Hollywood?
After having been in the industry over 25 years, I feel that my ability to morph into the character that I am presenting is one of my biggest advantages. Additionally, having always been an athlete, my ability to take on some of the action-oriented roles as I’ve gotten older has opened up a number of interesting opportunities for me.
Which other performers have inspired you most along the way?
I worked with Patrick Swayze on three movies, and he was a gem of a human being. His guidance and thoughtfulness are things I will remember for a long time. Additionally, I worked closely with Bradley Whitford and Rob Lowe on the television show The West Wing. Both of them gave me guidance and tips to help me navigate a career in Hollywood.
How do you get your mindset going for your most dangerous stunts?
For me, it’s always safety first. While I want to deliver an extraordinary performance for the audience, I always want to be sure that my safety is paramount. I think that finding a balance between your safety onset and delivering a believable stunt is tantamount to long-term success.
What are some dream roles you would like to land?
My dream role would be as part of an ensemble cast in a half-hour comedy. having a long-lasting role like that in pursuing an entertainment career is something I think many of us strive for. Secondarily, I would love to host a game show over a long period of time like Pat Sajak or Wink Martindale.
What are some of your most memorable roles and experiences to date? and why?
From 1998 to 2000, I worked on the show The West Wing. It was able to be a part of many memorable performances on an Emmy-winning show. Even though I was a minor character, the experiences that I got from that show helped shape my career and later life. More recently, I played a character named Worthington on a series called Pump. The show’s director Corey Grant and I had a wonderful camaraderie and he allowed me to shape the character into one that I was very proud of.
What do you like to do besides act and watch movies and TV?
I am the owner of Dukes Wealth Management, which is a boutique, wealth management firm, specializing in preserving retirement assets. I currently have over 600 clients across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. My goal is to help clients enjoy a prosperous retirement.
What is something about you that no one would ever guess from your onscreen persona?
While I very often play police officers, firemen, and other law-enforcement, my most memorable and fun roles have been playing the opposite character and being the bad guy. Playing opposite a character that I am normally cast as is something I find very challenging and rewarding.
Your financial abilities are very rare for actors. Do you often advise other celebrities?
It is interesting, because my two worlds do merge every now and then. I do have several clients that are involved in the entertainment industry, and I feel very comfortable advising them on what to do with their monies because I understand how their income works. There are not many advisors who can relate to the highs and lows of having an entertainment career, and I think knowing that allows me to better educate them about the use of their monies.
What other kinds of advice do you have for others starting out in your profession?
Like any good sport; practice, practice, practice. Get involved in as much as you can whether it’s theater, background work, stunt work, day players, or if you’re lucky enough, be a co-star or guest star, take as much work as you can get when you are first starting out.
What exciting projects do you have coming up?
I’ll be shooting my next episode of a limited series called Very Frightening Tales in July 2025, it is a short-form horror anthology on Amazon Prime, I’m excited for the next adventure!
@the_real_christopherdukes