Stunt Girl

Stunt Girl

A green-eyed whirlwind on minibikes and motorcycles. . .

WHEN A cool chick turned up at the Bonanza minibike booth in CYCLE WORLD's annual extravaganza at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, no one really thought much about it. Pretty gals are an appealing ever-present adjunct to motorcycle exhibits.

This particular doll, however, rode one of the minibikes at a great rate of knots through CW's rather difficult trials course (an annual show attraction).

Interest perked up. "Who's she?" someone queried. The she in question turned out to be Jan Sherman, an early 20s type blonde from Santa Monica, Calif., who adds to her income by riding motorcycles and minibikes, surfing, and water and snow skiing for commercial and promotional television and motion pictures.

Two years of college led to a concert booking job with Koppelman-Rubin Associates, Inc., in Hollywood. And, a long-time interest in motorcycles (including friendship with an Ascot Park racing type), led to the stunt bits for TV and films. The concert promotion segment of Jan's career includes work with such artists as Bobby Darin, Petula Clark, Tim Hardin, and the Lovin' Spoonful. Some of her film efforts have been in behalf of Kelloggs Sugar Frosted Flakes, and Puffa Puffa Rice, and she has appeared in such series television presentations as "I Dream of Jeannie," "Dragnet," and "It Takes a Thief."

But motorcycles take their share of the green-eyed whirlwind's busy schedule. For example: Jan rode a Honda in an antismoking film, has piloted a Kawasaki 120 Roadrunner for a television commercial, and is in process of preparing a TV promotional motion picture for Hodaka.

In the latter effort, Jan is the producer, casting director and, of course, chief stunt girl for the film.

Upcoming for Jan are a series of appearances on television talk shows. She'll do the stunt riding bit on the Michael Blodgett Show, on stage, where an obstacle course will be erected, and in film clips for the Steve Allen Show, the Woody Woodbury Show, and, if contractual agreements are firmed up, the Les Crane Show.

As a stunt rider of horses, Jan says she's capable of taking a spill for the camera. "I've taken spills off motorcycles, too," she adds, "but not on purpose."