Canadian stuntwoman Devyn Dalton, standing at just 4ft 6in (137cm), has become an unexpected sensation after Matt Damon praised her as having “the greatest arms I’ve ever seen” while promoting their new film, The Odyssey. The 35-year-old doubled for Damon in a pivotal scene where his character Odysseus and his men face the giant Laestrygonians, and her diminutive stature and muscular physique were essential to make the actors appear dwarfed by the cannibalistic giants.
Damon's Praise Sparks Global Attention
During an appearance on Josh Horowitz's podcast Happy Sad Confused, Damon singled out Dalton's arms, a comment that quickly went viral. Dalton, who was filming a project in New Zealand at the time, said her phone “absolutely exploded” after the remarks. “Knowing my arms impressed Matt was honestly pretty special,” she told the Guardian. “His shoutout in the press completely caught me by surprise … I’ll always appreciate that he did.”
Dalton's journey to this moment began in childhood, when she would invent characters and put on shows for her family. She started acting professionally at age nine, which eventually led her into stunt work—a different way of storytelling through physicality and strength. “We celebrate men who build careers around being powerful … so why shouldn’t women be celebrated for that too?” she asked.
The Role and Training Behind the Scenes
Dalton was cast through her professional network of stunt coordinators, not an open call. She flew to Scotland to film the sequence, which she described as a reminder of the immense effort behind such productions. “What audiences see for a few minutes often represents months of preparation,” she explained. To prepare, she intensified her regular training regime, combining muay thai, jiu-jitsu, dance, yoga, and strength workouts. “I took the responsibility very seriously,” she said, adding that Damon's praise made the effort feel worthwhile. She also described Damon as “every bit as genuine, kind and generous as you’d hope.”
Stunt Work: Safety and Representation
Dalton emphasized that stunt performing is about being well-rehearsed and prepared, not engaging in reckless danger. “The best stunt performers are very aware of risk … so everything can be performed as safely as possible,” she said. Her visibility has sparked online conversations about celebrating stuntwomen more, and she embraces the role. “I’m proud to represent strong women … I’m passionate about encouraging more people, especially young women, to realise there isn’t just one path into this industry,” she stated. “I hope more young girls grow up believing they never have to choose between being strong and being themselves.”
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Dalton hopes to lead a film or series as a starring actor—one who can do her own stunts. “Audiences are hungry for new faces … I’d love to show what I’m capable of,” she said. As The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's epic, continues to dominate box offices, Dalton's moment in the spotlight underscores the vital, often unseen contributions of stunt performers in cinema.
