Doug Taylor’s path to public office does not follow a typical political arc. Before becoming mayor of Backus, Minnesota, he spent years working behind the scenes in film and television, building a career that ranged from stunt performance to production work. That unconventional background now shapes how he approaches leadership in a town where relationships, budgets, and trust matter more than titles.
Appointed mayor on Dec. 1, Taylor will formally begin participating in city council meetings on Jan. 5. His appointment followed the resignation of longtime mayor Kurt Sawyer, who also happens to be his cousin — part of a family history deeply rooted in the community.
Deep Roots in Backus and Cass County
Taylor’s local ties extend back generations. His grandfather, Dene Taylor, served as coroner for both Cass and Crow Wing counties, making the family a familiar presence in the region for decades.
Those connections, Taylor says, shape how he views public service. He describes Backus as a place where relationships still matter and where civic leadership carries a personal responsibility.
He points to community traditions — including Cornfest and other annual gatherings — as examples of how the town maintains its identity. Promoting and protecting that character, he said, will be part of his role as mayor.
From Wrestling Mats to Movie Sets
Taylor’s professional journey began far from city hall. Raised in Pine River, he developed discipline early through wrestling, a sport he credits with teaching structure, focus, and persistence.
His interest in performance emerged during school productions, where he appeared in plays such as Our Town. He later completed his high school education through Central Lakes College before heading to California to pursue stunt work.
His education continued at Golden West College in Huntington Beach and Diablo Valley College, along with coursework at the University of California, Berkeley. It was in California that Taylor began building industry connections that would define the next chapter of his career.
Building a Career in Stunts and Production
A turning point came when Taylor trained with renowned horse trainer Michael Garrity, whose work introduced him to high-level stunt coordination involving animals. That training helped him carve out a niche as a stunt performer specializing in horse-related work.
Over time, Taylor accumulated a range of credits under the name Douglas Dean Taylor, including:
- Six acting credits
- Five stunt credits
- One producer credit
- Two special-effects credits
His résumé includes uncredited appearances in films such as 8MM and Windtalkers, along with involvement in major productions like Catch Me If You Can and The Last Samurai.
He also worked on fashion shoots and promotional campaigns, placing him on sets alongside well-known figures including Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, and Julie Andrews.
Risk, Discipline, and the Cost of Stunt Work
Stunt work brought both opportunity and physical toll. Taylor suffered injuries over the years, including a worsened shoulder injury while working on Night of the Templar, a film starring Norman Reedus.
He describes those risks as part of the profession — calculated, accepted, and managed. One of his proudest accomplishments came closer to home, when he coordinated an ambitious stunt sequence for the Minnesota-based film Ice House, producing a stagecoach robbery involving a four-horse hitch and multiple action elements.
That experience, he says, sharpened skills that now translate into public leadership: planning, risk assessment, budgeting, and coordination across teams.
Returning Home as the Industry Changed
As computer-generated imagery and green-screen technology began reducing demand for traditional stunt work, Taylor made the decision to return to Minnesota full time.
He remained active creatively, launching the “Wily West Stunt Show” at Pine River Riding Stables in 2009. From there, he expanded into live performances and community entertainment, including:
- Stagecoach shows in Nisswa
- Dinner theater aboard the Breezy Belle
- A haunted stagecoach attraction
- Productions under his company, Action Entertainment
He describes his role during this period as that of a “community artist,” blending performance with local engagement.
Storytelling Beyond the Stage
Around 2010, Taylor launched a small entertainment newspaper, Great Northern News, initially as a way to promote performances at the Nisswa Pioneer Village. The project evolved into a platform for written storytelling, adding another layer to his creative work.
This mix of live performance, publishing, and promotion mirrors how modern local initiatives rely on interconnected communication pipelines — combining outreach, messaging, and audience awareness into a single workflow.
Aviation, Preservation, and Local Investment
Taylor’s connection to Backus extends beyond the arts. He owns the Bailey House, the town’s oldest standing structure, built in 1902 by one of its founders. He is also deeply involved with the Backus Municipal Airport.
His interest in aviation began early, inspired by his uncle, Cliff Sawyer, who introduced him to flying as a child in Canada. Taylor later earned his pilot’s license and now flies a 1933 Stinson Reliant. Locals often spot his seaplane landing on Pine Mountain Lake.
These interests, he says, reinforce his commitment to infrastructure, preservation, and long-term planning.
Why He Decided to Run for Mayor
Taylor said he did not initially seek the mayor’s role. Instead, several residents encouraged him to consider it.
Once he confirmed he could balance seasonal work — including commitments at Breezy Point Resort and Grand View Lodge — with public duties, he agreed to step forward.
He has been clear about managing expectations. Before pursuing major initiatives, he plans to complete training on municipal authority, open meeting law, and governance procedures.
His approach, he says, will be careful and deliberate.
“I’m not here to overpromise,” Taylor said. “I want to understand how things work and help move projects forward in a thoughtful way.”
Why This Transition Matters
Taylor’s move from entertainment to municipal leadership reflects a broader pattern seen in small communities, where diverse professional backgrounds increasingly shape local governance.
For researchers, civic planners, and analysts who track leadership pathways, such transitions offer insight into how skills developed in creative industries — budgeting, coordination, risk management — translate into public administration.
These cases also highlight the importance of transparent reporting systems, clear decision-making frameworks, and reliable monitoring processes to support accountability at the local level.
Conclusion
From film sets and stunt rigs to city hall meetings, Doug Taylor’s career has followed an unconventional route. His appointment as mayor of Backus blends decades of creative work with deep local roots and a growing commitment to civic responsibility.
As he steps into the role, his story illustrates how leadership can emerge from unexpected places — shaped by experience, community ties, and a willingness to adapt.