MY NEXT BREATH: Jeremy Renner on Near-Fatal Accident

At the beginning of 2023, news broke online that Jeremy Renner – the actor known for his role as Hawkeye in the MCU and for appearances in films like The Hurt Locker and Arrival – had been seriously injured in an accident and was in critical condition in the hospital. Over the following days, more information emerged, bringing further details about the circumstances of the incident and the terrifying extent of the actor’s injuries. Renner had been run over by a six-ton snowplow, which crushed his body. Many fans were likely left wondering – how did he survive?

Just over two years after the accident, My Next Breath, a book written by Renner himself, is being released. The actor decided to open up to fans and write honestly not only about the course of the accident and his recovery process, but also about what motivates him, the thoughts that accompany him, and what has shaped his character. He writes about his highs and lows, his hopes and doubts.

Reading Renner’s book feels like attending one of the actor’s motivational talks. Renner repeatedly emphasizes how various experiences have taught him not to give up and to try to cope with adversity. He continually stresses the importance of love and family to him, expressing heartfelt gratitude to those who helped him survive before emergency services arrived – while he lay on the freezing ground after being run over by the snowplow. He reflects on how he now views death. There’s a lot of honesty and sensitivity here – Renner worries more about his family than himself, feeling guilt over what they had to witness while visiting him in the hospital.

It’s easy to imagine how traumatic the entire situation must have been for them – just think how we would feel if a loved one of ours was hanging between life and death, with nearly 40 broken bones and severe blood loss. The descriptions of the injuries are powerful even “on paper,” especially when compared with current photographs of Renner, in which it’s hard to tell he went through such an ordeal. For example, the pressure on his body was so intense that one of his eyes was forced out of its socket and had to be surgically repaired.

The most gripping parts of Renner’s book are those in which he describes the accident and the reactions and behaviors of the people around him. It reads almost like a survival story, where quick action and the ability to stay calm are key in a fight for every next breath. A family member and neighbors played crucial roles – as you might guess, the incident deeply affected them. Emphasizing how much his loved ones were impacted, Renner writes movingly about his love for his daughter; he even shared a photo from their emotional reunion a few days after the accident, once again baring his soul to his fans. He also appreciates how his sister took charge of organizing everything once he was hospitalized.

The book also includes compelling descriptions of his rehabilitation and hospital stay – Renner doesn’t sugarcoat anything and openly admits that, in his frustration, he sometimes behaved irrationally and unfairly toward the medical staff. He doesn’t spare details about the painful recovery process (he recounts, for instance, how screws were twisted out of his jaw). All of this is interwoven with reflections on life, mindset, and the support he received from loved ones. He also mentions which fellow actors were there for him during his recovery.

Renner was undoubtedly lucky not to have died on the spot. However, reading My Next Breath shows that the actor is a warrior not just on screen in Avengers films, but also in real life – and that it was his determination and willpower that helped him recover so quickly. Fans of Renner should definitely check out this book, as it offers insight not only into the tragic accident but also into the character and values of the actor himself.