Acting may seem glamorous, but when it comes to action-heavy films, the job can be downright dangerous. While stunt doubles are common, many actors choose to perform their own stunts or get caught in unpredictable on-set accidents. From shattered bones to near-death experiences, these injuries prove that dedication to the craft sometimes comes at a high cost.
Tom Cruise – Mission: Impossible – Fallout
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Known for doing his own stunts, Tom Cruise suffered a brutal ankle injury while filming a rooftop chase scene for Mission: Impossible – Fallout. He misjudged a jump between two buildings and slammed into the side of one, breaking his ankle on impact. Remarkably, Cruise pulled himself up and limped away to finish the scene, which was kept in the final cut.
Glen Powell – Top Gun: Maverick
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While filming the high-energy beach football scene in Top Gun: Maverick, Glen Powell went all-out and ended up spraining his ACL. The injury occurred during the very first take after he pushed himself too hard, aiming to match the intensity the scene demanded. Despite the pain, Powell completed the sequence, and the injury wasn’t severe enough to halt production. His dedication added authenticity to one of the film’s most talked-about moments.
Matt LeBlanc – Friends
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During the taping of a Season 3 episode of Friends, Matt LeBlanc dislocated his shoulder while performing a physical gag where Joey jumps onto a recliner. The stunt went wrong, and LeBlanc landed awkwardly, popping his shoulder out of place. Production was temporarily halted, and his real-life injury was later written into the show’s storyline, with Joey wearing a sling in subsequent episodes.
Joe Pesci – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
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Joe Pesci’s dedication to slapstick comedy in Home Alone 2 came at a real cost. While filming one of the booby trap scenes, Pesci sustained actual burns on his head when a stunt involving a flaming hat went awry. The special effects malfunctioned, resulting in singed skin. Pesci later said that the physical comedy in the film was far more painful than audiences might expect from a holiday classic.
Sylvester Stallone – Rocky IV
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During the climactic fight between Rocky and Ivan Drago, Stallone asked co-star Dolph Lundgren to go full force to make it look real. Lundgren did just that, punching Stallone so hard in the chest that his heart slammed against his ribcage. Stallone was rushed to intensive care and spent nine days in the hospital.
Margaret Qualley – The Leftovers
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While shooting an emotionally intense dance scene for HBO’s The Leftovers, Margaret Qualley suffered a fractured foot. Instead of halting production, she continued performing through the pain, showcasing the kind of commitment that earned her critical acclaim for the role.
Viggo Mortensen – The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
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During filming, Viggo Mortensen broke two toes while kicking a helmet after discovering his character’s comrades were dead. His scream of pain was genuine-and powerful enough to stay in the final cut. Mortensen also chipped a tooth and nearly drowned filming the trilogy, making his dedication legendary.
Isla Fisher – Now You See Me
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In a terrifying moment, Isla Fisher nearly drowned while filming an underwater escape scene for Now You See Me. Her shackles got caught, and she was stuck for over three minutes before the crew realized she was actually in trouble. She later praised the stunt team but admitted how real the danger had been.
Leonardo DiCaprio – Django Unchained
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Leonardo DiCaprio injured his hand while smashing a glass during a dramatic dinner scene in Django Unchained. Unaware he had sliced his palm open, DiCaprio continued the scene while bleeding, smearing blood on co-star Kerry Washington. His intense performance stayed in the film and earned widespread praise.
Channing Tatum – Foxcatcher
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Channing Tatum severely injured himself during a scene where he smashed his head into a mirror. The actor became so immersed in the emotionally raw role that he actually broke the mirror with his head and damaged his hand punching walls. He required stitches and rest but returned to finish the film.
Tom Hanks – Cast Away
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While filming Cast Away, Tom Hanks developed a serious staph infection after cutting his leg on set. The infection nearly became life-threatening and halted production for weeks. Hanks has since warned others about the dangers of ignoring even small injuries in remote shooting environments.
Jason Statham – The Expendables 3
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While filming a truck-driving scene that went wrong, Jason Statham’s brakes failed and he drove into the Black Sea. He was forced to swim to safety, narrowly avoiding drowning. Thanks to his background as a competitive diver, Statham stayed calm under pressure and escaped unharmed—but shaken.
Bruce Willis – Die Hard
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While filming the original Die Hard, Bruce Willis suffered partial hearing loss after firing a gun too close to his ear during an elevator shaft scene. The damage was permanent and affected him for the rest of his life. It’s one of several injuries he endured during the film’s famously grueling shoot.
Dylan O’Brien – Maze Runner: The Death Cure
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Dylan O’Brien suffered life-threatening injuries after being hit by a car during a stunt gone wrong. He sustained facial fractures, a concussion, and brain trauma, leading to a six-month production delay. The incident changed how he viewed his career and his approach to performing dangerous scenes.
Nicole Kidman – Moulin Rouge!
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Nicole Kidman broke a rib during a dance rehearsal and later fractured it again while being tightly corseted for her role. The injury forced her to film many scenes while seated or carefully propped up. Despite the pain, Kidman pushed through to deliver one of her most iconic performances.
Blake Lively – The Rhythm Section
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Blake Lively suffered a hand injury while performing a fight scene, leading to a production shutdown for several months. She underwent two surgeries to repair the damage. The film’s intense choreography and commitment to realism came at a high physical cost for the actress.
Jake Gyllenhaal – Nightcrawler
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While filming an intense bathroom scene for Nightcrawler, Jake Gyllenhaal got so into character that he punched a mirror, slicing his hand open. He needed stitches but returned to work the same night. His raw, immersive performance earned critical acclaim—and a few scars to go with it.
Henry Cavill – The Witcher
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In a shoot for Season 2 of The Witcher, Henry Cavill tore his hamstring while running through the forest in full costume and gear. The injury occurred during a complex sequence that required sudden movement, and production had to be adjusted to accommodate his recovery. Cavill insisted on avoiding surgery and returned to filming as soon as possible, emphasizing his commitment to the physically demanding role of Geralt.
Uma Thurman – Kill Bill: Vol. 2
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Uma Thurman was seriously injured during the filming of Kill Bill: Vol. 2 after being pressured into driving a convertible down a winding dirt road for a scene. Despite raising concerns about the vehicle’s condition and road safety, she was told the stunt was safe. The car crashed into a tree, causing permanent damage to her neck and knees. For years, the footage was withheld, but Thurman later released it, calling attention to the risks actors face and the need for safer conditions on set.
Mariska Hargitay – Law & Order: SVU
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While filming a stunt for Law & Order: SVU in 2008, Mariska Hargitay sustained a serious injury when a stunt involving a fall went wrong. Although she initially believed she was fine, she later discovered she had suffered a partially collapsed lung. The injury worsened over time, eventually requiring surgery. Hargitay missed several episodes during recovery but returned to the show, continuing her role as Detective Olivia Benson with the same intensity that made her a cornerstone of the long-running series.
