Jeremy Renner Opens Up About Acting Career After Snow Plough Accident

Jeremy Renner has made a return to the screen, but the Hawkeye star is still uncertain about his full recovery. During an appearance on the ‘Smartless’ podcast on June 24, Renner, 53, who survived a near-fatal snowplough accident last year, admitted he lacks the energy for “challenging roles” as he prioritizes his health. “I just don’t have the energy for it. I don’t have enough fuel,” the Mayor of Kingstown actor confessed. “I have so much fuel to put into this reality, this body, all this stuff. I can’t just go play make-believe right now,” he added.

On 1st January 2023, Renner was involved in a terrifying accident, getting run over by a 14,300-lb. snowplough while helping a family member free a stuck vehicle from about three feet of snowfall. The accident left him with 38 broken bones, a collapsed lung, and significant chest trauma.

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Now in better shape, Renner reflected on how the near-death experience has made him value the present and accept “divine intervention.” Despite putting himself back in front of the camera within a year of the accident, Renner admitted feeling “very terrified” to do so. “Because I’m supposed to do, like, f—ing fiction? I’m still trying to live in reality, I’m trying to live. So it was a hard line for me to cross,” he explained on the podcast. He described it as a significant stretch to be back on set, finding it mentally challenging to overcome that hurdle.

Renner mentioned he still struggles at times, but his familiarity with the character and show made it easier to return. However, he noted that he couldn’t have taken on a very challenging role, such as playing Dahmer, which would have been too demanding.

In May, Renner discussed his limited physical abilities following the accident with the Los Angeles Times. He revealed he was learning to walk again while filming the latest season of the Disney+ show. Renner recalled falling asleep during takes in his first week back, saying, “They go, ‘And action!’ And I was out.”

He and the production crew realized they had worked him too hard for too many hours and days in a row. While Renner was willing to give his all, his body couldn’t keep up. “They have to treat me like I’m a child actor,” Renner remarked, adding, ‘The mayor of Kingstown’ is now like a 14-year-old boy.”

–Farheen Ali