Celebrities Who Survived Near-Death Experiences
Brushes with mortality can happen anywhere from a quiet home to a film set to tens of thousands of feet in the air. When public figures live through moments like these, the timelines and medical details are often widely reported, and the recoveries can take months or years. These stories highlight the specific incidents, what happened next, and how each person got back to work or everyday life.
Below are twenty celebrities who survived events that could have ended very differently. You will find the when and where, the injuries or medical crises involved, and the concrete steps that helped each of them pull through and continue their careers.
Jeremy Renner
On January 1, 2023, Jeremy Renner was critically injured at his Nevada property while helping a family member free a stuck vehicle. He was accidentally run over by a PistenBully snowcat and sustained blunt chest trauma along with many orthopedic injuries and fractures.
He underwent multiple surgeries and an extended hospital stay followed by intensive physical therapy. In the months after the accident he documented his rehabilitation progress and eventually returned to public appearances and work.
Travis Barker
On September 19, 2008, Travis Barker survived a Learjet crash in South Carolina that killed four people. The jet overran the runway during an aborted takeoff and caught fire, leaving Barker with severe burns and other injuries.
He required numerous skin grafts and a long recovery that included physical and psychological treatment. He later resumed touring and recording and has spoken about the medical procedures that supported his return to full performance.
50 Cent
In May 2000, Curtis Jackson known as 50 Cent was shot multiple times outside his grandmother’s home in Queens. Bullets struck his hand, arm, hip, both legs, chest, and face, resulting in significant blood loss and surgeries.
After weeks in the hospital and a lengthy rehabilitation, he rebuilt his physical conditioning and continued writing and recording. The incident led to security changes and long term medical follow up to monitor lingering effects.
Sharon Stone
In 2001 Sharon Stone suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a ruptured blood vessel in her brain. She experienced a severe headache and other neurological symptoms that required emergency care and extended hospitalization.
Her recovery included months of therapy to address vision, speech, and memory challenges. She later described specific medical interventions such as imaging and procedures that stabilized the bleed and allowed her to resume acting and advocacy work.
Emilia Clarke
Emilia Clarke experienced two brain aneurysms while working on the early seasons of her hit series. The first required urgent surgery and the second led to further treatment several years later.
She completed rehabilitation that focused on fatigue management, cognition, and speech. She founded the charity SameYou to support neurorehabilitation services and has detailed the types of scans, procedures, and therapy approaches that aided her recovery.
Harrison Ford
In March 2015 Harrison Ford made an emergency landing in a vintage aircraft shortly after takeoff from Santa Monica. Engine trouble forced him to bring the plane down on a golf course where he sustained serious injuries including fractures and head lacerations.
He received trauma care and later completed orthopedic rehabilitation. Aviation authorities investigated the mechanical failure and he returned to film work after his medical team cleared him to do so.
Jason Statham
During rehearsals for ‘The Expendables 3’ Jason Statham was driving a three ton truck when the brakes failed and the vehicle went off a pier into the Black Sea. He escaped the cab and swam to the surface while crew divers moved in to assist.
Production implemented additional safety checks and equipment inspections after the incident. Statham returned to set following medical evaluation and emphasized the role of water safety staff and rehearsal protocols in preventing further harm.
Isla Fisher
While filming an underwater escape scene for ‘Now You See Me’ Isla Fisher became entangled and could not reach the safety release quickly. She signaled for help and safety divers intervened as she held her breath for an extended period.
The production reviewed underwater communication procedures and adjusted timing for the sequence. Fisher completed the shoot after medical assessment and highlighted specific safety gear and hand signals that were added to future water scenes.
George Clooney
In July 2018 George Clooney was involved in a high speed scooter collision in Sardinia. He was thrown from the vehicle and transported to a hospital where he was evaluated for head and body injuries.
He was released after scans and monitoring showed no life threatening trauma. The incident prompted changes to on location transportation plans and he resumed work once physicians confirmed he could do so safely.
Tracy Morgan
On June 7, 2014, Tracy Morgan was seriously injured when a tractor trailer struck his vehicle on the New Jersey Turnpike. He sustained multiple fractures and a traumatic brain injury, and comedian James McNair died in the crash.
Morgan spent weeks in the hospital and underwent months of physical and cognitive rehabilitation. He later returned to stand up and television after ongoing therapy and medical follow ups confirmed his progress.
Kevin Hart
In September 2019 Kevin Hart was a passenger in a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda that left the road on Mulholland Highway in California. He suffered three spinal fractures that required surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
His recovery plan included inpatient treatment, pain management, and structured physical therapy to restore strength and mobility. He resumed work in stages as doctors cleared activities and he continued back care and monitoring.
Demi Lovato
In July 2018 Demi Lovato was hospitalized following an overdose at her home in Los Angeles. Emergency responders administered lifesaving care and she remained in the hospital for an extended period.
After discharge she entered a rehabilitation program and continued outpatient treatment. She has discussed organ complications that required monitoring and the structured medical plan that supported her stabilization and return to music.
Nikki Sixx
In December 1987 Nikki Sixx experienced a heroin overdose and was declared clinically dead for about two minutes before being revived by paramedics. He was transported to a hospital for further care and observation.
He pursued treatment and later described the medical steps taken during resuscitation and recovery. The experience led to renewed focus on health oversight on tour and the use of support teams to manage risk.
Eminem
In late 2007 Eminem was hospitalized after a methadone overdose that caused acute respiratory depression. He required emergency intervention and monitoring to stabilize his breathing and vital signs.
He subsequently entered a recovery program that included medication assisted treatment and counseling. He later returned to recording and performing after physicians confirmed his health markers had normalized.
Bob Odenkirk
On July 27, 2021, Bob Odenkirk collapsed from a heart attack on the set of ‘Better Call Saul’ in Albuquerque. Colleagues initiated CPR and used an automated external defibrillator until EMTs arrived.
He was hospitalized for evaluation and underwent a procedure to address a blockage. After cardiac rehab and medical clearance he returned to finish filming with adjusted on set schedules and health protocols.
Stephen King
On June 19, 1999, Stephen King was struck by a van while walking on a rural road in Maine. He sustained a collapsed lung, multiple fractures, and significant soft tissue damage.
He underwent several surgeries and long term physical therapy. He gradually resumed writing once pain control and mobility improved, and he has detailed the hardware and procedures used to repair his injuries.
Richard Hammond
In September 2006 Richard Hammond crashed a jet powered dragster during a high speed run at a UK airfield. He suffered a serious brain injury and was placed in a medically induced coma.
Rehabilitation included cognitive therapy, vision checks, and gradual return to driving tasks. He later resumed television work with additional safety measures and medical oversight during high speed segments.
Bear Grylls
In 1996 Bear Grylls broke three vertebrae when a parachute malfunction occurred during a jump while training overseas. He received spinal care and underwent months of stabilization and physiotherapy.
Two years later he completed a successful Everest summit which required detailed medical screening and conditioning. His case has been used in discussions of spinal fracture recovery timelines and return to expedition readiness.
Ozzy Osbourne
In December 2003 Ozzy Osbourne was seriously injured in an all terrain vehicle accident at his UK home. He stopped breathing at the scene and a security team member performed resuscitation before paramedics arrived.
He was treated for a broken collarbone, several rib fractures, and a damaged vertebra. After surgery and rehabilitation he returned to performing with ongoing medical checks and adjustments to stage activity.
Anne Hathaway
In early 2013 Anne Hathaway was caught in a strong riptide while swimming off a Hawaiian beach. A surfer reached her with a board and lifeguards assisted her back to shore where she received first aid for a foot injury.
She was evaluated and did not require hospitalization. Local officials later noted the surf conditions that day and reminded visitors about riptide indicators and the value of swimming near lifeguard stations.
Benedict Cumberbatch
In 2005 Benedict Cumberbatch and two colleagues were abducted at gunpoint near Durban after their vehicle had a flat tire. They were forced into another car and later released by their captors on a remote road.
He reported the incident to authorities and received support from local contacts to reach safety. The event led to production teams updating travel routes, communication plans, and roadside contingency procedures.
Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which story surprised you the most.