Ric Roman Waugh

Biography

Ric Roman Waugh is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his high-intensity action dramas and character-driven storytelling. He was born on February 20, 1968, in Los Angeles, California, USA, and began his career in the film industry as a stuntman, performing in major Hollywood productions before transitioning behind the camera.

Growing up in California, Waugh developed an early fascination with filmmaking, particularly the physical and emotional challenges faced by characters under extreme circumstances. His early experience in stunts provided him with a deep understanding of action choreography, camera work, and the physical realism that later became trademarks of his directing style.

Career

Ric Roman Waugh’s journey in Hollywood began during the 1980s and 1990s as a stunt performer in films such as Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), Total Recall (1990), and Universal Soldier (1992). His time on set inspired him to pursue storytelling from a director’s perspective, blending authenticity with emotional depth.

He made his directorial debut with In the Shadows (2001), a crime thriller starring James Caan and Matthew Modine. However, it was his later work that established him as a force in modern action cinema.

Waugh gained critical attention for Felon (2008), a gritty prison drama starring Stephen Dorff and Val Kilmer, praised for its realism and moral complexity. He followed this with Snitch (2013), featuring Dwayne Johnson, a film inspired by true events that combined action with a compelling exploration of family and justice.

His collaboration with Gerard Butler on a series of large-scale action films brought him international recognition:

Angel Has Fallen (2019) – an action thriller that revitalized the Fallen franchise with a more character-driven approach.

Greenland (2020) – a disaster drama exploring human resilience and family survival during a global catastrophe.

Kandahar (2023) – a geopolitical action film set in the Middle East, highlighting Waugh’s ability to blend spectacle with emotional realism.