Jeremy Renner Says He Died in 2023 Snowcat Accident, Shares Other Revelations From His Memoir

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In his recently published memoir, Jeremy Renner – an actor who was nominated for an Oscar – recounts a chilling and traumatic incident that occurred on New Year’s Day in 2023 at his property in Reno, Nevada. On this fateful day, he was tragically trapped under a moving Snowcat while trying to rescue his nephew from being crushed by the snow removal vehicle. The book, available now, discloses fresh insights about that tragic day and his subsequent recovery process, which are being made public for the first time.

In straightforward and powerful writing style, “My Next Breath” delves into the harrowing account of the actor famed for his work in “The Hurt Locker” and his portrayal of Hawkeye in the “Avengers” series. This book recounts his terrifying ordeal and details his journey towards emotional and physical recovery following an accident where he was hit by a 14,300-pound vehicle, commonly used at ski resorts. On that fateful day, the actor suffered from fractures in 38 bones and needed to use duct tape to keep his eye in place after the accident, which took place following a massive storm in Reno. The actor had assembled his extended family for a New Year’s weekend ski vacation at the time of the incident.

In 2023, Renner was the second-most searched individual, as he impressively recuperated following a harrowing accident. He’s previously disclosed his experience with ABC News’ Diane Sawyer about the near-fatal incident, but his book offers captivating fresh insights into the event and his resilience that exemplifies human resilience and optimism. Here are some highlights from the compelling narrative.

Renner believes he died briefly after his accident

Following a harrowing tale about the Snowcat mishap that caused his body to be severely injured and necessitated intensive care, Renner describes an incident where he lay on his icy driveway, near death, while his nephew frantically searched for help. The actor elaborates on this event in somewhat mystical terms, revealing to readers that after the experience, he no longer fears death.

Thirty minutes skating on the ice left me feeling like I’d been doing countless push-ups nonstop for a half hour. It was as if I had given everything I had. In that moment, I died, as the Avengers star penned. My life flashed before my eyes in an instant. Death seemed to suspend the passage of time, yet it encompassed all moments and eternity at once.

As a gamer, I was stuck in a frozen level for 45 minutes, with no sign of a game restart or save point in sight. Just when I thought all hope was lost, the game’s emergency system kicked in. At that moment, my friends back in reality told me they noticed an eerie blue-green hue taking over my skin, and my heartbeat plummeted to a dangerously low 18, as an EMT later explained. In a strange twist of fate, I experienced death as an exhilarating peace, but a mysterious force urged me not to surrender just yet. This is the chilling account I share in my memoir.

In his autobiography, he expresses that he did not perish. Instead, celebrating New Year’s Eve serves as a testament to the profound love within our family.

Renner survived by relying on the Lamaze breathing learned with his mom

On that fateful day when Renner was battling for his life on the icy terrain, he credits controlled breathing as a crucial factor in his miraculous rescue. This technique, he recounts in his memoir, was something he picked up at the tender age of 12, during a Lamaze class he attended with his dedicated single mother at the local YMCA. Initially reluctant to join this childbirth preparation class, he now recognizes its significant role in his survival. He shared this story with Jimmy Fallon on a late-night talk show, highlighting how an experience he once found unwelcome turned out to be life-saving.

Renner described an unbearable level of pain that was beyond measurement. He explained it as remaining calm and focusing on breathing despite the situation. During promotion for the book this week on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, he added that he had to deliberately breathe because his rib cage had collapsed onto his lung, causing it to puncture, and his eyeballs were popping out. He said it was quite gruesome. He needed to regain control of his breathing as he was merely moaning, gasping for air, trying to get any breath back in, as if he couldn’t breathe any longer, I would be in serious danger.

Renner was so desperate to leave the hospital that he plotted three escapes

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but resonate with Renner’s lighthearted take on his harrowing hospital ordeal following the New Year’s Day accident. Even though he had stabilized, the ICU was no place he longed to linger. In his own words, “Hospitals are marvelous for saving lives, but they’re not as effective in helping people recover physically and mentally.” By January 4th, the actor was yearning for freedom, viewing hospitals as less conducive to holistic healing.

Accompanied by his nephew, Renner recounted his unsuccessful effort to flee from the Reno hospital and return to Los Angeles as “an escape reminiscent of Alcatraz, except without the ability to swim.

In my third attempt to flee, I managed to make it out of the room, but let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. It took a grueling 10 minutes of hobbling like a snail, leaving a trail of machines and wires behind me, all while my legs were in pieces and I was high on painkillers. By then, word had gotten around that the guy with the banana legs was up and moving.

In the hospital at Reno, Renner encountered medical professionals, relatives, and others who scrutinized him intensely until he was instructed to return to his room. At that moment, he was yet to receive a life-important blood transfusion, making it impossible for him to depart from the hospital.

Renner went cold turkey on his pain medication 

During a challenging healing process, Renner was resolute about taking control of his pain relief efforts, despite the fact that the recovery he was experiencing was undeniably difficult and painful.

On the night you left the hospital following the accident, roughly two weeks ago, your mother expressed her concern because she had never witnessed anyone in such distress. She suggested calling an ambulance to bring you back.

Renner’s OxyContin dosage was boosted by his pain specialist, yet within just two weeks, he completely stopped taking the medication altogether. Afterward, he describes how he attempted to manage his pain, especially in his titanium-fortified leg, using a distinct method he developed himself.

Renner penned that he began intense, sharp discussions and prolonged quarrels with his leg. It sounds peculiar, I know. In essence, it seemed like I was a madman speaking to my leg. ‘Stop telling me you’re broken, hurt, be more careful,’ I argued with my leg, much like a jilted lover. ‘You, sir, have been replaced by something better and stronger than bone, so shut up!’ I told my leg as I reprogrammed myself. Gradually, I learned more and more about the boundaries of my body.

In no time at all, he managed to lessen his pain sensations to a level comparable to dismissing an insignificant iPhone alert with a swift swipe.

As a fearless gamer, I embarked on a journey that required patience, bravery, and a hint of madness to forge this pact to revolutionize how my body perceives and processes pain. This was the foundation of what I later referred to as ‘the understanding.’

Renner eventually got back on the Snowcat that crushed him

A year following an accident that he claims momentarily took his life, Renner bravely chose to confront his fear and return to the Snowcat which had shattered his bones and dislodged his eyeball. On Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the actor shared his experiences this week.

He explained, “I didn’t desire for this item to bother or control me in any way.” He found it intriguing to disengage from it because one must walk on the train tracks to exit, and he noticed remnants of his clothing remaining inside. There were other things that he chose not to reveal.

Despite finding possible causes for concern within the vehicle, the individual still chose to get in and manipulate it. In conversation with Fallon, he came up with an insightful comparison to describe the encounter.

Renner casually winks and chuckles, ‘I’ve succeeded. You can’t top this.’ Then he saunters off, much like when you reunite with an old girlfriend and boast, ‘You’re not as attractive as you think.’

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2025-05-01 01:25