Felon Finds Redemption in Hollywood Stunt Work and Screenwriting

Sammy Horowitz's journey from armed robbery and drug addiction to acting, stunts, and writing inspirational films

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:34pm

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Sammy Horowitz spent nearly a decade in federal prison for armed robbery before discovering his calling in the world of Hollywood stunts, acting, and screenwriting. After getting out of prison in 2010, Horowitz began working as an extra and stunt performer, eventually earning a SAG card and co-writing the semi-autobiographical film "Godshot" about his own redemption story.

Why it matters

Horowitz's story highlights the transformative power of the arts and entertainment industry, providing a path to redemption and a second chance for those who have made mistakes in their past. His journey also sheds light on the challenges and stigma that formerly incarcerated individuals face when trying to reintegrate into society and find meaningful work.

The details

After nearly overdosing on heroin three times and serving 8.5 years in prison, 5 of them in solitary confinement, Horowitz discovered his passion for stunt work and screenwriting. He started taking acting and screenwriting classes, co-writing numerous scripts with his writing partner Adam Pasen, including "Godshot" which is a semi-autobiographical account of Horowitz's own redemption story. The film, which stars Ron Perlman as a rabbi loosely based on a real-life figure who helped Horowitz reconnect with his Jewish faith, is currently in post-production and the team is hoping to submit it to the Cannes Film Festival.

  • Horowitz spent close to a decade in federal prison between 2002 and 2010.
  • Horowitz began working as an extra and stunt performer after getting out of prison in 2010.
  • Horowitz co-wrote the screenplay for "Godshot" over the course of a couple years.
  • The Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 sparked Horowitz's renewed connection to his Jewish faith.
  • "Godshot" is currently in post-production and the team is hoping to submit it to Cannes in 2026.

The players

Sammy Horowitz

A former felon and gang member who spent nearly a decade in prison for armed robbery before discovering his passion for stunt work, acting, and screenwriting in Hollywood.

Bobby Hitz

Horowitz's boxing manager who helped him get his start in the entertainment industry by connecting him with a TV show in need of tough-looking extras with boxing experience.

Sari Sanchez

Horowitz's wife, an actress who introduced him to her old school friend Adam Pasen, a screenwriter who helped Horowitz develop his writing skills.

Adam Pasen

A screenwriter who became Horowitz's writing partner and helped him learn the craft of screenwriting, including story structure and dialogue.

Rabbi Binyomin Scheiman

The founder of the Hinda Institute, a non-profit committed to bettering the lives of individuals impacted by incarceration, who regularly visited Horowitz in prison and helped him reconnect with his Jewish faith.

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What they’re saying

“It feels as though 13 or 14 years ago, I somehow stepped into a multiverse, another world, just like Roland the gunslinger did. I stepped into another world where I'm not a d—bag criminal. All of a sudden, I'm looking at things in a different way. I have a conscience. I'm trying to help other people. I'm trying to do good things. This should not have happened to a guy like me.”

— Sammy Horowitz

“I couldn't believe that you could get paid to do this. I'm on a set with Christian Slater and Steve Zahn, people that were in movies from my childhood that I f—ing loved … I thought it was the most amazing thing ever.”

— Sammy Horowitz

“The whole goal with Godshot is just telling a universal story. It's my Rocky story. It's a story about redemption and hope. It's not hitting anybody over the head with politics or religion—none of that.”

— Sammy Horowitz

What’s next

The team behind "Godshot" is hoping to have the film ready in time to submit it for consideration at the Cannes Film Festival in 2026.

The takeaway

Sammy Horowitz's journey from incarcerated felon to successful Hollywood stunt performer, actor, and screenwriter serves as an inspiring example of the transformative power of the arts and entertainment industry to provide a path to redemption and a second chance for those who have made mistakes in their past.