Actors who Survived Major Accidents

Some of the most familiar faces in film and TV have endured serious, sometimes life-threatening accidents away from the spotlight or right in the middle of demanding shoots. These incidents often led to lengthy recoveries, rewrites on productions, and renewed attention to on-set safety and personal risk. Here are several male actors who survived major accidents and returned to work, sometimes incorporating the fallout into their careers in unexpected ways.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford crash-landed a vintage Ryan PT-22 trainer on a Los Angeles golf course after engine failure during a solo flight, sustaining significant injuries but recovering fully. Years earlier, he walked away from a helicopter crash during a training flight in California. He was also injured by a hydraulic door while filming ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’, which prompted safety reviews on set. Ford has continued flying and acting following medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Jeremy Renner

Jeremy Renner survived a serious snow-removal accident at his Nevada home when a snowcat rolled over him, causing multiple fractures and chest trauma. He underwent surgeries and a rigorous rehab program documented on social media and in interviews. Renner later returned to acting, resuming work on ‘Mayor of Kingstown’. The incident drew public attention to heavy-equipment safety and emergency response in winter conditions.

George Clooney

George Clooney was involved in a high-speed scooter collision in Sardinia while traveling to set for ‘Catch-22’, resulting in hospitalization and a careful recovery period. He had previously suffered a severe head and spine injury while filming ‘Syriana’, which required medical procedures to address a cerebrospinal fluid leak. Clooney has since advocated for helmet use and road safety for riders. He returned to directing and acting projects after medical clearance.

Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan suffered a skull fracture and internal bleeding after a fall while filming a stunt for ‘Armor of God’. Emergency surgery saved his life, and the incident left a permanent plug in his skull. Chan has cataloged numerous injuries accumulated through decades of performing his own stunts. The accident led productions to adopt stricter rigging checks and contingency plans on his sets.

Jason Statham

Jason Statham escaped a serious on-set mishap during ‘The Expendables 3’ when a stunt truck’s brakes reportedly failed and plunged into the Black Sea. A trained diver, he managed to exit the vehicle underwater and swim to safety. The production reviewed its mechanical and safety protocols following the incident. Statham returned to work shortly afterward without long-term injury.

Dylan O’Brien

Dylan O’Brien sustained multiple facial fractures and a concussion during a stunt sequence on ‘Maze Runner: The Death Cure’. Production was halted to allow for his recovery, and filming resumed months later with revised stunt planning. O’Brien later discussed the physical and psychological aspects of returning to action scenes. The incident highlighted coordination between stunt teams, vehicle rigs, and performer safety.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise broke his ankle while performing a rooftop jump for ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’, forcing a temporary production shutdown. The footage of the actual impact was used in the finished film after Cruise returned to complete the sequence. He underwent rehabilitation under medical supervision and maintained his practice of performing complex stunts. The event prompted renewed discussion of risk tolerance for star-led action scenes.

Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf was injured in a late-night car crash in Los Angeles that left his hand badly damaged. His injury required surgery and led to adjustments on the set of ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’ to account for his bandaged hand. Authorities cited another driver for running a red light, and LaBeouf completed recovery while continuing production. The incident became a case study in rapid script and continuity changes due to unforeseen injuries.

Mark Hamill

Mark Hamill survived a serious car accident that caused facial injuries requiring reconstructive procedures early in his career. Subsequent production on ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ incorporated his changed appearance through the Wampa sequence. Hamill has spoken about the medical process and the challenges of returning to work after trauma. The crash remains one of the most discussed off-screen events in the ‘Star Wars’ franchise’s history.

Tracy Morgan

Tracy Morgan sustained life-threatening injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures, in a multi-vehicle collision on the New Jersey Turnpike. He spent weeks in a rehabilitation facility and underwent extensive therapy. Morgan later reached a settlement with the trucking company involved and made a public return to the stage and ‘Saturday Night Live’. His recovery drew attention to commercial driver fatigue and highway safety standards.

Orlando Bloom

Orlando Bloom fractured his back after falling several stories in an accident unrelated to a film set. He recovered through rest and therapy before resuming physically demanding roles. Bloom later performed significant action work in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, supported by stunt teams and safety planning. The incident underscored the importance of conditioning and medical oversight for actors doing action sequences.

Brendan Fraser

Brendan Fraser lost consciousness during a hanging scene while filming ‘The Mummy’ when a stunt went wrong and the noose constricted unexpectedly. He was revived on set and later detailed a series of injuries accumulated over years of action roles, which required surgeries and career pauses. Productions he worked on subsequently adjusted stunt coordination and rehearsal practices. Fraser’s experiences are frequently cited in discussions about balancing realism with performer safety.

Share your thoughts—who else should be on this list, and which stories surprised you most—down in the comments.