Have you ever wondered what stars have in store for you, or in this case, what they might have literally dropped on you? Well, if you’re anything like Jeremy Renner, who’s been quite candid lately about reassessing his life, it’s probably not a pitchfork party in your driveway.
In an interesting twist of fate that occurred during the New Moon in Capricorn – a phase all about regeneration and rebirth – Jeremy Renner decided it was high time to tackle his snowplow situation directly. Now, for those not well-versed in astrological irony, Capricorn is all about climbing life’s metaphorical mountain, pushing against all odds. But what if, while you’re climbing, the mountain decides to push back?
On New Year’s Day 2023, amidst family festivities, Jeremy faced off with a 14,000-pound Snowcat plow. The sun was Capricorn, a time where one might say the Fates are testing your mettle. This hulking beast of a machine, in its characteristic Capricorn stubbornness, decided it didn’t want to be chained to Renner’s vehicle, opting instead to make its own path down a snowy driveway. And Renner, ever the protector, tried to engage the situation and ended up under a rolling testimony of his recent Saturn return.
Breaking over 35 bones and nearly losing his eyesight, Renner’s ordeal was nothing short of a Herculean trial. Yet, as he recounts in his forthcoming book, “My Next Breath,” the experience was more than just physical pain; it was an emotional journey that forced him to peer into the very essence of his existence, both literally – “I saw my left eye with my right eye, which was pretty freaky,” he admits – and metaphorically.
As a Hollywood actor, especially one with the bucks of eyes astros in his sign, one might assume dealing with the public eye would be benign compared to a rogue Snowcat. However, having to address this event publicly has been a mix of catharsis and a painful reminder of resilience versus human fragility. “It’s like walking through quicksand blindfolded, but then you find the ground and keep walking,” Renner says.
The Uranus in Taurus transit of that New Year’s Day certainly brought some shock and awe to Jeremy’s life, but perhaps it was a catalyst for some much-needed subjective shifts. Prospective his daughter Ava, a brave 12-year-old witnessing her father’s vulnerability and resurgence, through these adversities, Renner’s mission has been clear: to teach her that life isn’t just about the victories, but the comebacks.
So, as Jeremy gears up for his return to acting in the upcoming “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” he reflects on all this not just as an actor, but as a father, a mentor, and someone who’s faced down the capricious caprices of life and the stars alike. “I didn’t die, and if anything, this experience has made me much more alive than ever,” he reflects.
If anything, Jeremy’s story reminds us that even when life throws 14,000 pounds of misadventure your way, with some tenacity, some tears, and a hint of Tauri determination, you can come out not just surviving, but thriving.
And by the way, if you’re wondering about how the stars might line up for your next “Snowplow Incident,” give me a call – I have a finely-tuned SEO-starrin’to life’s unpredictable nature.
LEARN MORE on The Blast.
Jeremy Renner is sharing how revisiting his snowplow accident felt.
The actor decided to take stock of one of his life’s most harrowing and humbling experiences, and the process was no less daunting than the situation itself.
Jeremy Renner was in the news after he survived being crushed to death in his driveway by his 14,000-pound Snowcat plow on New Year’s Day, 2023.
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Renner described the feelings he experienced while writing about his traumatic accident. According to him: “Writing about it has been very emotionally cathartic to have to go word by word through it all again.”
He shared that revisiting those moments in their rawest form has been a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit despite the fragility of the body.
Renner detailed his painful experience in his upcoming book “My Next Breath,” revealing the extent of his injuries, including over 35 broken bones and the alarming sight of viewing his left eye with his right after his head struck the pavement.
The actor emphasized that while he is not often haunted by the memories or sounds of the incident, he is constantly reminded of his new reality, which he views positively.
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He feels fortunate to have survived, stating simply, “I didn’t die.” The incident occurred while he was trying to protect his nephew, Alex, from a runaway plow. Although Alex is reportedly doing well, Renner acknowledged that the trauma from that day has been tough on everyone involved.
“[Alex] read the book. Actually, we did listen to the book together, which was pretty intense, but we never really tried to push this under anything,” If I get better, then he’ll get better,” the TV star told PEOPLE.
Renner believes that his healing journey intertwines with Alex’s, stating that the images from his struggles are ones she cannot unsee, which drives him to recover for both their sakes.
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Reflecting on his rehabilitation, Renner credits his family as a vital source of motivation, particularly Ava, who is now 12.
The actor sees the experience as a valuable lesson in resilience, allowing Ava to witness both his vulnerability and the power of overcoming difficult obstacles. He is determined to shield her from fear, showing her the strength he has cultivated throughout his life.
As he prepares for his upcoming role in “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” on Netflix, Renner revealed how his mother played a crucial role in helping Ava understand the accident.
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He reassured her amid her fear by assigning her small tasks, telling her to be his arms and legs while promising that he would recover if she remained patient. This experience, he believes, has not only strengthened their bond but has also equipped Ava with fortitude for the future.
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On January 1, 2025, two years after his accident, The Blast shared that the Marvel star shared a heartfelt message on social media to celebrate his second “ReBirthday.”
In his lengthy Instagram post, he expressed profound gratitude to the numerous individuals who supported him during his recovery, specifically thanking the nurses, doctors, and first responders. He acknowledged that he “literally” owes them his life.
Renner also extended his love and appreciation to his brave nephew and the neighbors who rushed to help him during the chaotic moments following his snowplow accident. He reflected on the trauma of that day, expressing sorrow for the distressing images they experienced.
Body camera footage from first responders captured the urgent response to Renner’s critical injuries after he was run over by his snowplow near his home in Reno, Nevada.
The video revealed the frantic efforts of medical teams as they worked to stabilize him before he was swiftly transported to the hospital for emergency care.
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The details are graphic, and Renner’s survival is nothing short of a miracle. On January 1st, 2023, after a heavy blizzard, Renner experienced a life-threatening accident in his Nevada home.
At the time, the actor was hosting family for the holidays, and he decided to clear the snow to prevent his vehicle from getting stuck on the icy road.
Renner was assisting his sister Kym’s son, who was detaching the chain connecting their car to a snowplow. As concerns for his nephew’s safety grew due to poor visibility, Renner leaned out of the vehicle but neglected to engage the parking brake.
In a tragic turn of events, he fell from the snowplow just as it began to roll. Realizing the machine was heading towards his nephew, Renner tried to return to the driver’s seat but was caught beneath the massive vehicle, resulting in life-threatening injuries.
He also suffered from a collapsed lung, blunt chest trauma, and orthopedic injuries in his leg and upper body.
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As noted by The Blast, the father of one reflected on the valuable lessons learned during one of the lowest points in his life, specifically after a near-death experience.
He expressed that this ordeal has freed him from the fear of death, stating, “I’m really not afraid of it now; in fact, I’m excited for it.” Last year, at 53 years old, he recognized that many of life’s emotions and challenges are ultimately unnecessary.
He shares his new philosophy about existence with a touch of humor, arguing that life, the world we inhabit, and our emotional struggles are mostly insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
The actor also let his expansive Los Angeles mansion go as part of his transitioning process, as he recovered in the home.