Kimani Ray Smith

A Storied Journey in the Film Industry

Born into a family with a unique and culturally different backgrounds, Kimani Ray Smith began his life in the midst of complex cultural dynamics. His early experiences in Detroit, Arizona, and later, the remote reaches of Canada, served as a rich backdrop that sparked his lifelong passion for storytelling. From his first encounter with film - watching Star Wars at a drive-in theatre in Arizona - to becoming an esteemed figure in the global film industry, Kimani's journey has been nothing short of inspirational.

‍A Remarkable Career in Stunts

Kimani Ray Smith's break in the film industry came in 1994, when he worked as a stunt performer in Jackie Chan's film "Rumble in the Bronx." The movie set a precedent for what would become an illustrious career in action cinema. Over the next 26 years, Kimani carved a niche for himself as a highly sought-after stunt performer, landing action roles in Hollywood blockbusters like "I, Robot," "Salt," "A-Team," "Twilight," "Total Recall," and both "Deadpool" movies. By 2023, his name graced more than 200 credits as a stunt performer, actor, and stunt coordinator, including the highly anticipated "G.I. Joe Origins: Snake Eyes.”

Passion for Storytelling: From Stuntman to Filmmaker

Despite his success in stunt performing, Kimani's deep-rooted love for storytelling nudged him to venture behind the camera. In 1999, he wrote the short film, "Self Projections," which won the CBC short film award. Building on this success, he co-wrote and directed the television pilot, "Evidence – The Truth Will Set You Free," shot entirely in Giza, Egypt, and London, England. His later works included shorts like "Static" (2001) and "Dead Wrong" (2006).

Kimani's directorial prowess was also evident in his commercial work, including numerous Electronic Press Kits, Promotional Videos, and Music Videos. In 2008, he took the reins as the producer of his first feature film, "Cole," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and won Best Canadian Feature at the Atlantic Film Festival.

‍Continued Success Behind the Camera

Kimani's directorial journey did not stop with short films and commercials. His work on the dark comedy "Hit List" (2010), the short film "Suffer" (2011), and his feature directorial debut, "Evil Feed" (2013), showcased his unique ability to create engaging content for diverse audiences. These projects were not only well-received but also facilitated his transition to working on bigger projects.

The SyFy series "Continuum" (2014) gave Kimani the helm for three episodes of their online web content, and he served as the 2nd Unit Director for multiple episodes of SyFy/Netflix series "Van Helsing" (2016/17/18) and BBC America/AMC series “Dirk Gently: Holistic Detective” (2016).

In 2018, Kimani became the official 2nd Unit Director of the Netflix action series "Wu Assassins." This experience led him to direct two episodes of "Van Helsing" (2019/20). Recently, he directed episodes of The CW’s "Two Sentence Horror Stories" and Freeform’s "Motherland: Fort Salem.”

‍Looking Ahead

Kimani Ray Smith's storied career, from a stunt performer to an award-winning director and producer, reflects his deep passion for film and television. As he continues to navigate the industry with talent and dedication, fans and colleagues alike anticipate his upcoming projects.

Undoubtedly, Kimani's journey testifies to his unwavering passion for storytelling and the transformative power of cinema. His capacity to bridge cultural gaps and address societal issues through his work continues to inspire and contribute significantly to the world of film and television.