Close calls while filming
Actors in Hollywood often face real danger on set. Near-death experiences include drownings, explosions, and sword mishaps, and actors willingly risk their lives to get that perfect shot.
Jackie Chan
In 1986, Jackie Chan suffered a near-fatal injury while filming "Armour of God," breaking his skull and having a bone fragment lodged in his brain. Despite this, he still performs stunts.
Golden Harvest, Armour Of God (1986)
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio accidentally injured his hand while filming "Django Unchained," staying in character despite the deep cut. DiCaprio needed stitches to prevent him from bleeding out.
Columbia, Django Unchained (2012)
Sylvester Stallone
During the filming of "Rocky IV," Sylvester Stallone requested that Dolph Lundgren actually strike him in a fight scene. A single blow made Stallone's heart swell, resulting in a trip to the hospital for emergency treatment.
United Artists, Rocky Iv (1985)
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks suffered a leg injury leading to a potentially deadly staph infection while filming "Cast Away." Hanks was treated at a hospital, causing a three-week filming hiatus.
20th Century Fox, Cast Away (2000)
Michael J. Fox
In "Back to the Future Part III," Michael J. Fox came close to accidentally hanging himself during a stunt mishap. He blacked out but was rescued by the crew's fast response.
Universal Pictures, Back To The Future Part 3 (1990)
Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron injured her neck during "Aeon Flux" during filming after a backflip gone wrong. Her injury resulted in production being paused for eight weeks.
Lakeshore Entertainment, Aeon Flux (2005)
Viggo Mortensen
During "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," Mortensen broke two toes kicking a helmet. The pain was so real that it was included in the final cut.
New Line Cinema, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Jaimie Alexander
While filming "Thor: The Dark World," Jaimie Alexander fell from a metal staircase, causing a slipped disk and other injuries. He needed to be admitted to a hospital and undergo physical therapy.
Marvel, Thor - The Dark World (2013)
Johnny Depp
Depp narrowly escaped death while filming "The Lone Ranger" when his horse unexpectedly sprinted, causing him to fall and be dragged. He survived thanks to his quick thinking and the crew’s help.
Bruce Willis
In "Tears of the Sun," Willis experienced a head injury from a special effects explosion, leading to permanent hearing loss in one ear. However, he managed to finish the movie.
Columbia, Tears Of The Sun (2003)
George Clooney
George Clooney suffered a serious spinal injury during the filming of "Syriana." The intensity of the pain made him consider taking his own life. Several operations were required to treat his wounds.
Jeremy Renner
While filming "Tag," Renner broke both arms during a stunt. He wore green screen casts, which were digitally removed in post-production.
Uma Thurman
Uma Thurman was pressured to personally drive during a stunt scene in "Kill Bill." She ended up crashing and was left with life-long injuries, sparking conflict with director Quentin Tarantino.
Miramax, Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004)
Dylan O'Brien
During the filming of "Maze Runner: The Death Cure," O'Brien tumbled from a moving vehicle and was struck by another vehicle. He suffered severe injuries, such as fractures in his face and a concussion, causing a delay in production.
Gotham Group, Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018)
Margaret Hamilton
Margeret Hamilton, who portrayed the Wicked Witch in "The Wizard of Oz," was severely burned in a pyrotechnic accident. After spending weeks in the hospital, she declined to work with fire on set.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Ed Harris
Ed Harris almost drowned during filming "The Abyss." In an underwater scene, there was a delay in giving him oxygen, leading him to nearly die on set.
20th Century Fox, The Abyss (1989)
Gary Oldman
Gary Oldman suffered from nicotine poisoning from smoking many cigars during the making of "Darkest Hour." Having to film multiple scenes made him smoke a lot, resulting in severe health problems.
Perfect World Pictures, Darkest Hour (2017)
Jason Statham
On set of "The Expendables," Jason Statham had a close call with death due to a truck he was driving experiencing brake failure. He leaped out of the car just in time to prevent himself from tumbling down a cliff.
Millennium Films, The Expendables (2010)
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise, known for stunts, narrowly avoided disaster during a helicopter scene in "Mission: Impossible — Fallout" by regaining control as it spun dangerously.
Skydance, Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
Daniel Day-Lewis
During the filming of "Gangs of New York," Daniel Day-Lewis rejected wearing a jacket in cold temperatures to remain in character, which led to him contracting pneumonia.
Miramax, Gangs of New York (2002)
Halle Berry
Halle Berry almost suffocated on a fig during the filming of a scene for the movie "James Bond: Die Another Day." Pierce Brosnan had to use the Heimlich maneuver in order to rescue her.
Miles Teller
Miles Teller faced a near-death experience on the set of "Top Gun: Maverick." While performing a high-G maneuver, he feared he could lose control and crash, but he managed to regain control of the plane.
Skydance, Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Tom Hiddleston
Tom Hiddleston almost drowned filming "Thor: Ragnarok" when a chain pulled him underwater. Thankfully, a coordinator on set acted quickly and saved him.
Isla Fisher
Isla Fisher came close to drowning during the filming of a scene where she escapes from a water tank in "Now You See Me." She remained submerged in the water for more than two minutes before she was saved.
Summit Entertainment, Now You See Me (2013)
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep came close to drowning during the shooting of a river sequence in "The River Wild." Her co-star Kevin Bacon rescued her from a powerful current in which she was caught.
Summit Entertainment, The River Wild (1994)
Brendan Fraser
Brendan Fraser passed out while filming "The Mummy" after being accidentally hanged He lost consciousness, but crew members performed CPR and revived him.
Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet came close to drowning during the filming of "Titanic" after her coat became snagged on an underwater gate. She succeeded in getting herself out, but it was a narrow escape.
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford narrowly escaped from suffering significant harm during the filming of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." He broke his leg when a hydraulic door malfunctioned and trapped him.
Lucasfilm Ltd., Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Ashley Judd
Ashley Judd broke her leg in four places in Congo's rainforest, where locals helped carry her out. Grateful for their aid, she endured 55 hours of pain before receiving medical treatment and therapy.
