15 Movie Scenes That Almost Killed the Actor

Movie sets can be thrilling but treacherous, with stunts and intense scenes pushing actors to the brink. When safety measures fail or risks are underestimated, these moments can turn deadly, leaving stars just inches from disaster.

This article highlights times actors faced near-death experiences during filming, from explosive mishaps to stunt miscalculations. These stories show the real dangers behind the scenes of some unforgettable films.

Top Gun (1986)

Tom Cruise, known for doing his own stunts, faced danger during a jet-flying sequence. His F-14 Tomcat hit a spin during a low-altitude maneuver, and he nearly blacked out from the G-forces.

Ejection was too risky at that altitude, but the pilot regained control just in time. Cruise later admitted the incident shook him, reinforcing the high stakes of filming realistic aerial scenes.

Back to the Future Part III (1990)

Michael J. Fox was nearly hanged for real in a scene where Marty McFly faces a noose. Director Robert Zemeckis removed a safety box to make the moment look authentic, relying on Fox’s hand to block the rope.

On one take, Fox’s grip slipped, and he briefly lost consciousness before the crew cut him down. He walked away shaken but unharmed, a close call etched in his memory.

The Exorcist (1973)

Ellen Burstyn endured a brutal injury during a scene where her character is thrown to the floor by a possessed force. The crew pulled her harness too hard, causing her to land on her tailbone.

The impact fractured her coccyx, and her real scream of pain made the final cut. Burstyn later said the lingering pain was a stark reminder of the set’s intensity.

Armour of God (1986)

Jackie Chan took a risky leap from a wall to a tree branch for this action flick. On a second attempt, the branch broke, sending him crashing head-first onto a rock below.

Chan’s skull fractured, requiring urgent brain surgery to remove a bone fragment. He survived with permanent hearing loss and a plastic plug in his skull, a chilling testament to his daring.

Now You See Me (2013)

Isla Fisher was trapped underwater during an escape-artist scene when her chain snagged on the tank’s bottom. She thrashed for nearly three minutes, unable to signal for help as the crew thought she was acting.

Fisher freed herself just before panic set in fully, later stressing the need for clearer safety protocols. The ordeal left her rattled but uninjured.

Rocky IV (1985)

Sylvester Stallone pushed for realism by asking Dolph Lundgren to land real punches in their boxing match. Lundgren’s blow to Stallone’s chest caused his heart to swell, mimicking a heart attack.

Stallone spent over a week in intensive care, narrowly avoiding worse outcomes. He later admitted his quest for authenticity nearly cost him his life.

The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Jim Caviezel was struck by lightning while filming the Sermon on the Mount. A bolt hit him and an assistant director, with witnesses seeing sparks around his head.

Caviezel escaped with minor burns but described the shock as overwhelming. The incident added an eerie layer to the already grueling production.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

Eli Wallach nearly died in a hanging scene when his horse, spooked by a gunshot, galloped off with his hands tied. The noose tightened, and he barely freed himself in time.

In another scene, a train almost crushed him, and he drank acid mistaken for water. Wallach’s multiple close calls made this Western a harrowing experience.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Diane Kruger faced a terrifying moment when Quentin Tarantino personally choked her for a strangling scene to capture raw intensity. With a stunt coordinator present, he cut her air briefly.

Kruger nearly passed out, later admitting the experience pushed her limits. The take made the film, but it underscored Tarantino’s risky approach to realism.

Waterworld (1995)

Kevin Costner was tied to a boat’s mast for a stormy scene, but strong ocean currents dragged the boat out to sea. The crew struggled to locate him as waves battered the set.

Rescuers reached him just in time, averting disaster. Costner later called it one of the scariest moments of his career, given the chaotic production.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Viggo Mortensen nearly drowned while filming a river chase as Aragorn. Heavy armor pulled him under a swift current, and he struggled to surface.

He escaped but also broke toes and chipped a tooth in other scenes. Mortensen’s grit kept him going, but the river incident was his closest brush with death.

Deliverance (1972)

Burt Reynolds tackled a waterfall stunt himself, ignoring warnings. He hit a rock, breaking his tailbone and getting sucked into a whirlpool that stripped his clothes.

The current spit him out, but Reynolds later regretted the reckless choice. The injury left him in pain for months, a lesson in stunt safety.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Gunnar Hansen, as Leatherface, tripped during a chase, and his live chainsaw landed inches from his face. The low-budget film lacked proper safety, amplifying the risk.

Hansen escaped unhurt but recalled the heart-stopping moment vividly. The incident highlighted the dangers of working with real weapons on a chaotic set.

Syriana (2005)

George Clooney was injured in a torture scene, tearing his spinal dura mater when he was slammed into a chair. Spinal fluid leaked, causing unbearable pain.

He faced months of recovery and surgeries, later admitting he contemplated suicide at his lowest. The injury still affects him, a heavy toll for his role.

Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018)

Dylan O’Brien was dragged by a vehicle in a botched stunt, suffering a concussion and facial fractures. Filming stopped for nearly a year as he healed.

The accident left O’Brien questioning his career, shaken by the physical and mental scars. He recovered but called it a life-altering moment.

Which movie scene’s close call left you stunned, or is there another near-miss I didn’t cover? Drop your thoughts in the comments!