In 2015, Jeremy Renner stood alongside his co-star Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff) in the blockbuster Avengers: Age of Ultron, reprising his role as the stoic, human Avenger, Clint Barton/Hawkeye. His character was the moral center of the team, often fighting for his family and for the humanity that the powerful heroes protected. That dedication to family would become fiercely real nearly a decade later.
On New Year’s Day 2023, while at his Lake Tahoe home, Jeremy Renner suffered a near-fatal accident when he was crushed by his own 14,000-pound PistenBully snowplow. The accident occurred as he heroically attempted to divert the runaway vehicle from hitting his nephew.
The injuries were staggering: Renner broke 38 bones, suffered blunt chest trauma, a collapsed lung, and a pierced liver. Airlifted to the hospital, he was in critical condition and, by his own account, had a moment where he felt he was on his “deathbed.” His life since that day has been an awe-inspiring battle of recovery and a profound testament to the power of the human spirit.
💪 The Fight for Recovery: Titanium and the Will to Live
Renner’s recovery process was not just physical; it was a psychological marathon he chose to face head-on.
- Physical Trauma and Healing: He underwent multiple surgeries and an intense, relentless schedule of physical therapy, stem cell treatments, and unconventional therapies. He famously joked, “I’m 25% titanium, so f— Iron Man,” a nod to the metal plates and screws holding his body together.
- The “Final Words”: Convinced he was dying, Renner tearfully revealed that he wrote down what he thought were his last words in his phone to his family, specifically requesting, “Don’t let me live on tubes, on a machine. And if my existence is going to be on drugs and painkillers, just let me go now.” This chilling request underscored his desire for dignity and showed the gravity of his state.
- Mental Fortitude: His memoir, My Next Breath, published in April 2025, details the horrific moments of the accident and the mindset that saved him. He repeatedly stated that he was driven by his family, especially his 10-year-old daughter, Ava, and his nephew. This selflessness, mirroring his character Hawkeye’s defining trait, became his “one-way road to recovery.”
🎬 Returning to the Screen and Lessons on Humanity
The ultimate marker of his recovery was his return to work. In early 2024, a little over a year after the accident, Renner was back on the set of the Paramount+ crime thriller series Mayor of Kingstown, with Season 3 premiering in June 2024 and Season 4 premiering in October 2025.
- The Actor’s Transformation: Renner admitted the return was challenging but necessary. He noted that his personal experiences have influenced his portrayal of the typically tough Mike McLusky, making the character feel more delicate and vulnerable, bringing a profound new authenticity to the role.
- Mental Health and Family: The accident forced Renner to reassess his life and priorities. He emphasized the importance of mental recovery alongside the physical. His first conscious gesture after waking up in the hospital was signing a note to his family that read, “Holy f—. I’m so sorry. I love you all so much,” cementing the family bond as his reason for survival.
- Giving Back: He used his experience to launch the RennerVation Foundation in 2023, dedicated to serving children in foster care and at-risk youth by providing safe havens, mentorship, and enrichment programs in his home state of Nevada.
While he has confirmed that he will not return as Hawkeye for the upcoming Marvel films, Jeremy Renner’s post-accident life has achieved a greater heroism than any superhero role could convey. His survival story is a powerful, inspiring lesson on resilience, selflessness, and the profound strength found in love and family.