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Expert Sources: Richard Davis
Last updated: Jul 21, 2020
Reads: 227,258
Career Overview
Celebrity Bodyguards keep clients safe and happy. They must assess and deter possible threats from stalkers, paparazzi, and even ex-boyfriends while also ensuring that the celebrity is relaxed and receives a high standard of service.
Alternate Titles
Bodyguard, Executive Protection Professional, Close Protection Officer, Security Guard
Avg. Salary
$64,7181
Salary Range
$42K-$145K1
Table of Contents
- Career Description
- Salary
- Career Outlook
- Career Path
- Experience & Skills
- Education & Training
- Additional Resources
- FAQ
- Sources
- References
How To Become a Celebrity Bodyguard
Career Description
A day on the job for a Celebrity Bodyguard can include anything from escorting the client to dinner, business meetings, music video sets, shopping excursions, or awards ceremonies. Often working in teams, the advance security team prepares an area for the client’s arrival by making an initial sweep of the location, ensuring its security before moving on to their next location.
The celebrity and Bodyguard then arrive together—the Bodyguard always careful to open the door and help his client out. “If they’re safe but unhappy, you’re not doing your job,” says Richard Davis of The Bodyguard Group of Beverly Hills, Southern California’s longest running and most prestigious Bodyguard firm.
He describes this approach to security as a protective bubble, policed by different layers of security professionals, all focusing on different things to ensure the team is getting the whole picture when it comes to client safety.
Celebrity Bodyguards work with everyone from Managers, Agents, Attorneys, Personal Assistants, Promoters, Producers, Actors, Film Producers, Film Directors, Bar/Restaurant Owners, and of course, Celebrities.
Salary
On average, Celebrity Bodyguards earn approximately $64,700 per year. The salary range for Celebrity Bodyguards runs from $42,000 to $145,000.
Bodyguards at elite firms start off at $100/hour and usually work 8-12 hour shifts. Earnings can vary based on the guard’s experience level and the level of security threat to the company.
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Career Outlook
“The only consistent thing in our business is it’s completely inconsistent,” Davis says. The amount of time spent with each client depends on the celeb’s personal preferences. Bodyguards can work eight or twelve-hour shifts. They can work shorter shifts, say, for example, if the client just wants protection while she’s going to get her hair fixed before a Grammy appearance.
And bodyguards can also work around the clock. “When they’re awake, you’re awake,” he adds. To facilitate around-the-clock protection, Bodyguards work with a celebrity’s team.
Career Path
Celebrity Bodyguards can be assigned to higher status or higher threat clients as their experience grows. That means a larger paycheck. Celebrity Bodyguards can also open their own agencies, or be promoted to executive positions within the agency.
Employment prospects are strong, for those with the necessary background—which isn’t everybody. “There’s no entry-level program. You start at the top of the game; you’re either qualified, or you’re not,” Davis says. Successful applicants all come from the highest ranks of military service or are high-ranking, specialized veterans with a law enforcement background. At the country’s most prestigious security firms, potential employees can wait up to two years to even get a first interview.
- Research groups like Navy Seals, US Army Delta, and other special forces command positions to see what the training and skills required are like.
- Start training with law enforcement or an elite branch of military service.
- “Make sure your alarm clock is set to the James Bond theme song so you can get in the right mindset.”
Experience & Skills
As mentioned above, military or law enforcement experience is essential, with the most prestigious firms accepting applicants only from the highest ranks of military service or law enforcement. Celebrity Bodyguards must possess higher than average strength as well as intelligence so that they can fight off an assailant as easily as they can zero in on potential threats in a crowded room.
Personality-wise, Richard Davis says that the most important thing needed to become a successful Celebrity Bodyguard is the training and desire to help those who can’t help themselves “stand up against the bullies. Ex-boyfriends, the paparazzi ‘stalkerazzi’, psychotic fans.” Essential qualities for a Celebrity Bodyguard include “composure, strength, stamina, the statuesque appearance of an agent on the Presidential Protection Division, and [the] common sense” to be a “consummate professional.”
Education & Training
Celebrity Bodyguards always have some form of special military or police training. Top security firms exclusively hire elite U.S. veterans and law enforcement officials, including Navy Seals, U.S. Army Delta Force, and other special ops vets. College is not essential, although some training programs do exist.
Additional Resources
Groups like the North American Bodyguard Association (NABA) exist to provide support and networking opportunities to members. The NABA’s Facebook page is open to non-members, who can ask questions and try their skill at assessing threats in photos posted by veteran Bodyguards. However, there is no one union or group that Celebrity Bodyguards must join. The majority of Celebrity Bodyguards are part of a community of veterans from their specific branch of service.
FAQ
Do Celebrity Bodyguards carry guns?
Alison Stolpa (Careers in Music Staff)
“It depends on where you are working in the world. If it’s a risky area and you are looking after a celebrity, as long as you have a firearms license you can carry a gun to protect your client.” –Celebrity Bodyguard Jason Callum
How much can a Celebrity Bodyguard make in a year?
Alison Stolpa (Careers in Music Staff)
“A Celebrity Bodyguard can earn very good money, depending on who you are looking after and what you bring to the table. A well-recommended Bodyguard will earn around £300 to £500 pounds a day with all expenses paid for as well. But, starting out you will earn between £150 to £200 pounds a day.” –Celebrity Bodyguard Jason Callum
Vanity Fair estimates that stars pay $500 to $1,500 per day2 for the services of their Celebrity Bodyguards while on tour.
How do you become a Celebrity Bodyguard?
Alison Stolpa (Careers in Music Staff)
“Start from the bottom. Work as security at festivals and get in contact with celebrity agencies to let them know about your services. Also, you’ll need to network with people on social media and get to know other Celebrity Bodyguards.” –Celebrity Bodyguard Jason Callum
What is the single biggest suggestion you would give to someone wanting to get into this career?
Richard Davis
“Tip every valet like you’re having a love affair with them” so they keep the area free for celebrity security and the client never has to wait for parking. Treat restaurant staff right and tip them right. These people know their workplaces and if anything’s out of the ordinary. “Everybody should be part of your team.”
What’s the #1 mistake people make when trying to get into this career?
Richard Davis
“It’s not about who’s the bigger guy. Don’t try to outfight or outrun, just outsmart.”
What is one thing I should have asked which I didn’t?
Richard Davis
“Who’s the nicest celebrity and who’s the meanest?”
Sources
Richard Davis
Richard Davisis the International and Special Operations Director for theBodyguard Group of Beverly Hills, southern California’s oldest and largest bodyguard company, and the nation’s only private sector firm to offer 100% free job placement service for elite veterans and law enforcement officers. An elite special ops veteran himself, Davis has been serving since he was a teenager on Catalina Island, and is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars.
As Kim Kardashian’s former Bodyguard, Davis has been quoted as an expert in celebrity protection by the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Page Six, Hollywood Life, and Inquisitr.
References
- 1Multiple. "Average Bodyguard Salary". PayScale. published: Oct 23, 2019. retrieved on: Dec 16, 2019
- 2Bryant, Kenzie. "The Staggering Price Tag on Safety in the Modern Celebrity World". Vanity Fair. published: 4 November 2016. retrieved on: 21 July 2020
