List of bodyguards

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Two bodyguards protecting the Turkish Prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan scan the crowd during the 2007 Hannover Fair
Two bodyguards protecting the Turkish Prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan scan the crowd during the 2007 Hannover Fair
Bodyguards of Viktor Yushchenko (far left) form a human wall around their client as he leaves Gdansk city hall.
Bodyguards of Viktor Yushchenko (far left) form a human wall around their client as he leaves Gdansk city hall.

A bodyguard (or "close protection officer") is a type of security guard or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, loss of confidential information, or other threats.

This article lists notable bodyguards who have become prominent within the close protection industry due to the importance of the person they protected, as in the case of Trevor Rees-Jones, the bodyguard of Dodi Al-Fayed, son of the Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed.

Some bodyguards became notable because they founded or created a well-known bodyguard agency, such as Melvin Key, who founded MVP, which is the only bodyguard company in Washington, DC whose employees can legally carry weapons to protect their clients.

In some cases, bodyguards in this list became notable due to their actions, as in the case of Timothy J. McCarthy, a former US Secret Service Special Agent who was shot in the stomach while protecting President Ronald Reagan in 1981, or conversely, in the case of Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, who became notable after they assassinated Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi, who they were assigned to protect.

[edit] Civilians

  • Loralyn Mayo-Key - Is the US's premier female bodyguard. Since starting her company in November of 2007, the retired Virginia Deputy Sheriff has accumulated $2 Million Dollars in contracts. She is currently the Head Bodyguard for Bishop Neavelle Coles (The presiding Bishop of all the COGIC Churches in Washington, DC and his family.
  • Daniel PRASTALO - Professional bodyguard and security specailist who became the CEO of VIP SECURITY SERVICES Ltd. based in Ljubljana, Slovenia - Europe. VIP SS is the only Executive Protection Company in Slovenia that protected world famous stars and celebrities like Naomi Campbell, Ben Affleck, Tara Reid, Roman Abramovich, Rade Serbedzija, Miss Universe, Miss Hawaiian Tropic, many foreign bussinesmen and government officials and foreign dignitaries.
  • Albert Grajales - Former Deputy Director The Special Investigations Bureau / Justice Department of Puerto Rico. He is the Founder, President & Executive Director of Albert Grajales Intelligence and Protection Services. His expertise is on Executive Protection and Counterterrorism.
  • Melvin Key - A retired police captain who became the CEO of MVP Protective Services, based in Washington, DC. MVP is the only Executive Protection Company in Washington, DC that can legally carry weapons to protect their clients. MVP protects executives of Fortune 500 companies, professional athletes, celebrities, government officials and foreign dignitaries.
  • Aaron Cohen - Owner of IMS Security[1] in Beverly Hills. Cohen who is a Los Angeles native served in the elite Duvdevan unit of the Israel Defense Forces later returned and now protects many of Hollywood's celebrities. In addition to protecting stars he and his team train SWAT teams and different Police agencies in counter-terrorist tactics.
  • Avi Korein - Owner of Screen International Security Services in Los Angeles. The Israeli bouncer-turned bodyguard established his company as a major security provider to the stars in Hollywood. His company provides protection for Hollywood film celebrities.
  • [Mirza David, Founder of the International Security Academy, Israel [2] and the associated network [3]]
  • Michael Clarke Duncan - The Oscar-nominated actor worked as a bodyguard for a number of celebrities.
  • Frank Alexander - former bodyguard of hip-hop performer Tupac Shakur, who was killed by gunfire.
  • Trevor Rees-Jones - A bodyguard of Dodi Al-Fayed, son of the Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed. Rees-Jones was the only survivor of the car crash which killed the driver, Fayed and Diana, Princess of Wales.
  • Jeff Saupp - Protective Services Specialist and Security Consultant for Corporate Executives, Foreign Dignitaries and Celebrities, internationally since 1991. Mr. Saupp's background includes Emergency Medical Services and Law Enforcement.
  • Chris Boykin is Rob Dyrdek's bodyguard on the TV show "Rob and Big".
  • Maurice "Big Moe" Brighthaupt - Bodyguard of Anna Nicole Smith, and a former college basketball star and firefighter/paramedic.
  • Cory Smith (aka - "Big Coco") - Former bodyguard for "Prince" Rogers Nelson.
  • Mr. T- Now a celebrity himself, he worked as a bodyguard in the late 1970s, protecting celebrities such as Muhammad Ali, Steve McQueen, Michael Jackson, Bruce Lee, Joe Frazier, and Diana Ross.
  • Elijah Shaw - CEO of Icon Services Corporation and a director of security for many in the entertainment industry such as Usher Raymond, Supermodel Naomi Campbell and R&B singer Chaka Khan. His company has provided free bodyguard services to victims of domestic abuse through the ISC Safety Net Program.

[edit] Individuals affiliated with military, police, or security agencies

[edit] External links

General information:

  • Close Protection (Website and Forum for Close Protection bodyguards and for the security industry)
  • [4] (International Association of Close Protection Officers)with forum