Brendan Fraser Reveals He Almost Died on the Set of This Movie
Brendan Fraser once opened up about a terrifying experience on the set of one of his movies, revealing that he nearly died while filming a stunt.
In a 2019 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Fraser explained that he “did get fully choked-out” during a scene. While a stuntman handled the wider shots, Fraser had to wear the noose for the closeups.
The first take went smoothly, but director Stephen Sommers wanted a second take with more tension on the rope. Fraser went along to “sell” the scene, not realizing just how dangerous it would be. “Steve says, ‘Can we go for another one and take up the tension on the rope?’ I said, ‘All right, one more take’,” Fraser recalled.
“Because a noose around your neck’s going to choke you in the arteries, no matter what. So, the stuntman took up the tension on the rope, and I went up on the balls of my feet, then I guess he took the tension up again, and I’m not a ballerina, I can’t stand on my tip-toes. I remember seeing the camera start to pan around, and then it was like a black iris at the end of a silent film. It was like turning down the volume switch on your home stereo, like the Death Star powering down.”
Fraser lost consciousness, and when he came to, an EMT was calling his name. “There was gravel in my ear and s— really hurt,” he said. The stunt coordinator tried to lighten the moment. “Hi! Welcome to the club, bro! Ha ha ha!’ And I was like, ‘Ha ha, funny? Ha ha? Like, what the hell? I want to go home!’” Fraser said he was ready to be done for the day, despite the joking.
This incident is just one example of how physically demanding Fraser’s career has been. In 2018, he publicly revealed that performing stunts and heavy action roles over the years had taken a serious toll on his body.
He underwent several surgeries in a seven-year span, including a partial knee replacement, a laminectomy, and vocal-cord surgery. These procedures reflect the intense physical strain Fraser endured to bring his characters to life, often putting his health at risk for the sake of his roles.
The noose incident is a dramatic reminder of the hidden dangers behind movie stunts and why Fraser’s dedication is so remarkable. The tension, fear, and near-death moment all made the scene feel real on screen.
Fraser’s commitment to performing his own stunts, even with the risks, helped create authentic, high-stakes moments that audiences remember. It’s a clear example of how actors put themselves in danger to make a scene believable, and why the story of that stunt resonates with fans.
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