Jeremy Renner survived a terrible snowplow accident on New Year’s that left him with 30 broken bones and a collapsed lung. Renner spent over two weeks in the hospital, most of which was in the intensive care unit. His close encounter with death prompted some realizations for the actor, including giving up smoking and losing nearly 20 lbs, the latter part of his New Year’s resolutions.
Renner was run over by the 14,330 lbs weighing snowplow after he tried to stop it to save his nephew’s life. Renner was back on his feet fairly quickly after the accident and the doctors attributed it to his great physicality and health.
Jeremy Renner’s Life-Changing Accident Had Some Positive Effects On Him
Jeremy Renner appeared in high spirits while speaking with Jimmy Kimmel in April, reflecting on the snowplow accident. Despite discussing the accident in detail, Renner maintained a casual and upbeat conversation. During the interview, the Mayor of Kingstown actor touched on his hospital days and the support he received from his family and friends.
Renner shared that he was lucky not to suffer any major injuries to his vertebrae or organs. When asked about his collapsed lung, Renner brushed it off, saying, “Yeah. That’s fine. I got another one.” As he recovered, the Mission: Impossible actor found himself appreciating his life more deeply and even managed to quit a bad habit. Renner told Jimmy Kimmel Live!:
“It was like a New Year’s resolution so I did drop like 20 pounds. I quit smoking. I haven’t had a smoke since then. Easiest way to quit smoking, I’m telling ya. I couldn’t imagine not doing that and quitting smoking. I’d be a wreck of a human. But because I almost killed myself I didn’t even think about smoking. It was easy peasy.”
Jimmy Kimmel even teased Renner for making a mockery of his injury, as The Hurt Locker actor visited Six Flags shortly after the accident. Renner appeared on Kimmel’s show to promote his new docuseries, Rennervations, streaming on Disney+.
Jeremy Renner Apologized To His Family
The Hawkeye actor also revealed that it took nearly 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive after the accident, a time Renner clearly remembered. Renner mentioned that during this time, he was thinking about the ordeal his family was going through. He also shared that the rescue team and firefighters who responded to the scene were his neighbors and friends. The Arrival actor even overheard one of them mistakenly declaring that he was dead.
However, Renner also jokingly poked fun at his mother for reading a Stephen King novel to him while he was in the ICU. The Wind River actor mentioned that she took a photo of him, joking that she might use it against him in the future. Renner also took a jab at his Avengers co-stars, humorously referring to them as “bad actors” who couldn’t hide their shock upon seeing him in such a state.
Paul Rudd, among his co-stars, sent a fake ‘cameo’ message wishing him well, while humorously advising him to “let the snow melt the next time.” Renner continues his journey toward full physical recovery as he prepares for his role in the Paramount+ series, Mayor of Kingstown, which has been renewed for a third season.
