This article was originally published before last year’s Oscars ceremony

Many decades ago in the early days of the Oscars – so the legend goes – a very senior figure on the board of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences got home unexpectedly early one evening. Hearing noises, he went upstairs and found his wife in bed with another man.

And not just any man, but a stunt performer. The betrayed big-shot stormed and raged at the pair, and swore that, “Whatever happens, there will never, ever be a stunt category at the Academy.”

This story is circulated among stunt performers, and feels like it could be entirely apocryphal. Still, it’s the most convincing explanation they have for their lack of recognition at the Oscars each year. Despite strong industry support and the fact that they are literally putting their lives on the line to make movies – a dedication you might expect to be reflected by the industry’s biggest awards – there has never been a Best Stunts category at the Oscars, and no sign that that will change soon.

Bedroom antics aside, no one can say why. “No one explains it,” says British stunt coordinator Eunice Huthart. “If we forced them to give us an explanation, we can counter everything. But they just ignore it. Weird, isn't it?”