Actors Who Were Struck by Lightning (or Near-Misses)

Lightning encounters are rare, but a handful of actors have experienced them firsthand—on film sets, at home, or even mid-flight. Below are notable cases where performers were directly struck or involved in credible near-miss incidents, along with the concrete circumstances around each event.

Jim Caviezel

While filming ‘The Passion of the Christ’ in Italy, Jim Caviezel was struck by lightning during a take of the Sermon on the Mount, an incident he has discussed in multiple interviews. Reports from the production also note assistant director Jan Michelini was hit twice on set, underscoring the volatile weather conditions the crew faced. Caviezel has described the strike as occurring on a final shot and among several serious on-set injuries he endured during production. Contemporary coverage from the time and later retrospectives both reference the lightning strike as a documented event during filming.

Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone has publicly recounted being struck by lightning at home while filling an iron with water from a well, an episode she shared on the ‘Films to Be Buried With’ podcast. She described the jolt as “really intense,” explaining that her mother took her to the hospital afterward. The story has been reiterated across major outlets that covered the interview. The account remains one of the most widely cited celebrity lightning incidents.

William Moseley

British actor William Moseley was hit by lightning during production of ‘The Silent Mountain’ in the Italian Alps; nine crew members were also injured. Reports at the time said the strike happened on location and that everyone recovered and returned to work. The event was covered by entertainment trades and news outlets when it occurred. It stands as a well-documented on-set lightning strike involving a principal cast member.

Joan Collins

Joan Collins reported that a commercial flight she was on was struck by lightning during a storm, leaving her “shaken” but unhurt after a safe landing at Heathrow. She shared details once on the ground, noting the incident happened en route from Milan. Airline lightning strikes are uncommon but not unheard of, and aircraft are designed to dissipate the charge safely. Her account was carried by UK news outlets following the flight.

Gregory Peck

During the lead-up to ‘The Omen,’ Gregory Peck’s transatlantic flight to London was reportedly struck by lightning; separate flights involving members of the production also encountered lightning events. Coverage of the film’s so-called “curse” repeatedly documents Peck’s mid-air incident as a key episode. While dramatic, the reports align with known aviation lightning behavior—airframes typically channel strikes without catastrophic failure. The story has been referenced by reputable film and news publications over the years.

Have another name to add to the list—or a verified account we missed? Share your thoughts in the comments!