One Chicago Podcast – Rick LeFevour & Rick LeFevour Jr. (One Chicago Stunt Team)

Date: March 26, 2026
Host: Brian Lucci
Guests: Rick LeFevour Sr. (Stunt Coordinator), Rick LeFevour Jr. (Stunt Coordinator)

Episode Overview

This engaging episode peels back the curtain on the heart-pounding stunts of the “One Chicago” universe (Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Chicago Med), featuring legendary stuntman Rick LeFevour Sr. and his son, Rick Jr. The duo, both deeply woven into Chicago’s stunt scene and the shows’ DNA, discuss their unconventional career trajectories, the evolution of stunt work, their favorite explosive moments, and the unique family legacy behind their craft. The conversation is packed with behind-the-scenes insights and respect for the first responders they portray.

Key Discussion Points

1. Origins and Family Legacy

Timestamps: 04:31 – 09:49

• Sr.: Childhood Dream & Early Breaks

  • Grew up enamored with Westerns:

    “I just always wanted to be a cowboy.” (Rick Sr., 04:31)

  • Broke in with cowboy legend Casey Tibbs; toured Japan in a Wild West show; started performing stunts such as high falls and riding buffalo.
  • Upon return, was in the right place at the right time as Chicago became a filming hub.
  • Worked early on films like The Fury and The Blues Brothers.

    “The Blues Brothers put Chicago on the map.” (Rick Sr., 06:08)

• Jr.: Raised for the Business (Whether He Knew It or Not)

  • Rick Sr. encouraged his kids to try other paths, but they were naturally drawn into stunts:

    “He was training me, my brother, and sister to be stunt people… We did high falls when we were five and six.” (Rick Jr., 06:57)

  • Went off to college but returned to stunts and rodeo.
  • Worked sets as a child, coordinating and giving actor feedback at age 13.

• Memorable Childhood Anecdote

  • As a kid, Rick Jr. would tell classmates his dad was getting blown up or jumping off buildings:

    “In first grade, [my dad] came to my class and did a whole… resume play and showed fake blood and let me break a bottle over his head. And I was the coolest kid for, like, you know, two weeks.” (Rick Jr., 16:52)

2. Evolution of Stunt Work in Chicago & "One Chicago"

Timestamps: 07:46 – 11:41, 20:29 – 25:21

• Chicago Becomes a Stunt Hub

  • Early resistance from Old Mayor Daley, later a boom during The Blues Brothers and Hunter era (1979).
  • “Almost 200 stuntmen in Chicago that whole summer of ’79.” (Rick Sr., 06:34)

• Wolf Entertainment Connection

  • Rick Sr.’s entry into the Dick Wolf world was via early TV movies; mutual respect with key crew members like John Roman helped establish the franchise in Chicago.

• Generational Transition

  • Rick Jr. joined in the first season of Chicago Fire at 18; cut his teeth in key fight and car crash stunts; later became stunt coordinator on Med.

3. The Craft: Designing, Training, & Safety in Stunts

Timestamps: 10:09 – 14:24; 27:05 – 30:44; 31:25 – 32:41

• Training Actors and Creating Realism

  • Stunt performers are integral in training actors for physical authenticity—teaching combat, weapon handling, and tactical realism.

    “We got to teach the actors to throw a punch like they're going to hit the target, but don’t hit the target.” (Rick Sr., 12:21) “If the gun looks like it's going to bite them...you need to work on this really quick.” (Rick Jr., 13:48)

• Safety as Top Priority

  • Physical risk is ever-present, but safety is non-negotiable.

    “If we do tweak ourselves, break a bone or something, we can be replaced. But you got to see Taylor or Jason, you know…can’t shut down the show for two weeks.” (Rick Sr., 11:13) “Safety number one.” (Rick Jr., 31:39)

• Cross-Department Collaboration

  • Stunt coordinators constantly communicate with special effects, directors, wardrobe, and more:

    “It's a combination of all different department heads. Everybody signs off. We think it's all safe first. Gotta be safe for us, the actors, and the crew.” (Rick Sr., 28:08)

4. Stunt Schools, Mentoring, & Breaking In

Timestamps: 14:24 – 16:17

• Mixed feelings on stunt schools; many are run by those not working in the field.
• Recommendations: get real set experience as an extra, observe skilled professionals, and consider live shows (theme parks) for hands-on training.

  “If you're a good stunt person…you don't have time to be running a school…Why don’t you be an extra first, learn the cadence, what everything we say in the set means, the timing, the hours.” (Rick Sr., 14:31)

5. Changes with Technology: From Squibs to CGI

Timestamps: 20:29 – 24:00

• CGI and Safety Innovations

  • Stunt performance now augmented by CGI; dangerous practical effects (like squibs and live fire) are mostly done in post-production for safety.

    “Now you can do it on a green screen from like 20ft, get the same effect. Is that better? Probably.” (Rick Sr., 22:16) “We don’t squib stunt guys no more either. Very rare. None of the shows in town.” (Rick Sr., 22:54)

• Old-School Reality

  • Past stunts involved real charges on bodies and live blanks.

    “We actually had squibs on us, which are, you know, bullet hits and like charges on our body, which we're not doing anymore after some tragic things have happened lately.” (Rick Sr., 22:16)

6. Planning, Prep, and Standout Stunts

Timestamps: 26:47 – 35:51

• The Coordinating Process

  • TV vs. Features: TV gets less prep time, more seat-of-the-pants ingenuity.
  • Collaboration with directors, writers, and multiple departments to ensure realism, safety, and spectacle.

• Selecting the Right Doubles and Drivers

  • Special attention given to picking the right double for actors and skilled drivers for car stunts.

    “We have incredible drivers here in Chicago...If you're the double and you're a good driver, I would just put you in to be the guy.” (Rick Jr., 30:27)

• Favorite and Most Challenging Stunts

  • Sr.: Boat sinking scene with actors underwater; zipline ratchet + fireball for a “blown out the window” sequence; major car chases in The Dark Knight.

    “We did one where a boat sank in the lake. We had the whole cast underwater…All the actors nailed it.” (Rick Sr., 32:53) “Last year…when Ritter’s character on Fire got blown out of a second story window…It was one of those big wow moments.” (Rick Sr., 33:28)

  • Jr.: Full-body burn (head-to-toe fire) for Med; pipe ramp car crash.

    “We did a full burn on Med’s stages…He was fully engulfed in flames, head to toe.” (Rick Jr., 34:33) “I did a pipe ramp for Chicago Med several years ago, and I think that’s probably one of my favorite stunts I’ve ever done.” (Rick Jr., 35:40)

7. Respect for First Responders & The Crossovers

Timestamps: 35:51 – 36:47

• Deep gratitude for real-world first responders.

  “We get to call it cut and walk away. But they're in these real life situations most of their careers.” (Rick Sr., 36:30)

• Crossover Episodes: Opportunities to collaborate as family and cross disciplines.

  “I get really excited when I get to work with my family.” (Rick Jr., 36:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Early Lessons:

  “My only instruction was ‘just get down and monkey up.’ So my whole life, just monkey up.” (Rick Sr., 05:32)

• On Child Coordinators:

  “Will [Ferrell] goes, ‘Is he 30? ...Ricky, thank you, that's awesome.’” (Rick Sr., 07:35)

• On Actor Safety:

  “You can't shut down the show for two weeks if they injure themselves somehow. That’s what we're there for.” (Rick Sr., 11:13)

• On Wigs in Stunt Work:

  “I always said if I got this on something bad, don’t take me to the hospital with this on.” (Rick Sr., 31:08)

• On the Family Legacy:

  “He said to other crew members, ‘I want you retired and your kids working for me.’ He said that? Here we are.” (Rick Sr., 37:29)

• On What Makes the LeFevours Legendary:

  “Not that you’re so good at your job, but you’re so good at being a good person doing your job.” (Brian Lucci, 37:03)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Rick Sr.’s Stunt Beginnings: 04:31–06:34
• First Jobs on "One Chicago": 08:55–09:19
• Childhood in the LeFevour Family: 16:23–16:52
• Evolution of Fight/Action Design: 10:21–13:46
• On CGI & Traditional Stunts: 20:29–23:14
• Favorite Big Stunts: 32:53–35:51
• Respect for First Responders: 35:51–36:47
• Legacy and Closing Reflections: 37:29–37:52

Final Reflections

The episode celebrates both the gritty, no-nonsense skill set of the LeFevours and the heart behind their work—honoring first responders and each other as a family. It’s a rare, fun look at the familial ties, sweat, and innovation that make the “One Chicago” shows both believable and exhilarating.

“We’re telling stories with action.”
— Rick LeFevour Jr. (32:01)