Actors who Survived Assassination Attempts

Fame can come with frightening risks, and a handful of well-known male actors have faced genuine attempts on their lives—and lived to tell the tale. Below are notable cases from different eras and countries, with concise context on what happened, who was behind it, and what followed for each actor.

Ronald Reagan

On March 30, 1981, Ronald Reagan—who began as a Hollywood leading man before entering politics—was shot by John Hinckley Jr. outside the Washington Hilton. The bullet ricocheted off the presidential limousine and struck Reagan in the chest, leading to emergency surgery and a full recovery. Hinckley’s stated motive was a delusional bid to impress actress Jodie Foster, inspired in part by the film ‘Taxi Driver’. The attack prompted security overhauls and renewed national debate about the insanity defense.

M. G. Ramachandran

Tamil cinema icon M. G. Ramachandran was shot on January 12, 1967, by fellow actor M. R. Radha during a meeting in Chennai. The bullet lodged near Ramachandran’s neck area, affecting his voice and hearing, and he underwent significant medical treatment before returning to public life. The assailant then attempted to take his own life and was later convicted. Ramachandran’s recovery galvanized public support, and he continued his careers in film and politics afterward.

Rakesh Roshan

Actor-turned-filmmaker Rakesh Roshan survived a gun attack on January 21, 2000, near his Mumbai office. Two assailants opened fire, with one bullet striking his left arm and another grazing his chest, before fleeing the scene. Investigators later linked the shooting to underworld pressure following the overseas box-office success of ‘Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai’. Roshan recovered and remained active in the industry, overseeing subsequent productions and collaborations.

Salman Khan

In April 2024, gunmen fired at Salman Khan’s Mumbai residence amid ongoing threats from an organized-crime network; police later made multiple arrests tied to wider plots. Authorities have also detailed earlier plans to target the actor near his Panvel farmhouse and during shoots, citing intercepted communications and recovered weapons. Security around Khan was tightened, and several accused individuals were charged under applicable criminal statutes. The incidents highlighted persistent underworld attempts to intimidate or harm prominent Bollywood figures.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Before becoming Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a well-known actor and producer, and he has faced numerous assassination attempts since early 2022. Ukrainian authorities have reported foiling multiple plots involving Chechen units, mercenary groups, and alleged Russian-directed operatives. Arrests and seizures tied to these plans included drones, explosives, and insider recruitment efforts, according to official briefings. Zelenskyy has continued public appearances and communications while security services adapt to evolving threats.

Share your thoughts and any other verified cases you know of in the comments!