Movie sets are often a place of creativity, excitement, and collaboration. However, occasionally, unforeseen tragedies occur, reminding us of the potential dangers involved in filmmaking. Throughout the history of cinema, there have been several heartbreaking incidents where actors lost their lives due to accidents involving prop weapons. Here are some of the actors who tragically died during movie production while handling prop weapons.
- Brandon Lee On The Set Of “The Crow” (01:04)
In one of the most infamous cases, Brandon Lee, the son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, lost his life while filming “The Crow” in 1993. During a scene where his character was shot, a prop gun malfunctioned, firing a live round that fatally wounded Lee. The incident led to extensive changes in safety protocols on movie sets.
- Jon-Erik Hexum On The Set Of “Cover Up” (01:55)
In 1984, Jon-Erik Hexum, a young and promising actor, accidentally killed himself on the set of the TV series “Cover Up.” He playfully pointed a prop gun at his temple and pulled the trigger, unaware that the weapon still contained a blank cartridge, resulting in a fatal injury.
- Vic Morrow On The Set Of “The Twilight Zone” (03:14)
In a tragic accident during the filming of “The Twilight Zone: The Movie” in 1982, actor Vic Morrow and two child actors lost their lives. A helicopter stunt scene went awry, causing the helicopter to crash and claim their lives.
- Antonio Velasco Gutierrez On The Set Of “Revenge Of The Scorpion” (04:28)
During the filming of the Mexican movie “Revenge of the Scorpion” in 1991, actor Antonio Velasco Gutierrez was accidentally shot and killed by a prop gun that was improperly handled.
- Brendan Fletcher On The Set Of The TV Series “Cardinal” (05:02)
In 2016, Canadian actor Brendan Fletcher suffered a tragic accident on the set of the TV series “Cardinal.” He was struck in the head by a blank round fired from a prop gun, leading to his untimely death.
- Daigo Kashino On The Set Of A Japanese Play (05:28)
Japanese actor Daigo Kashino lost his life in 2018 during a theater performance when he was accidentally stabbed in the stomach with a real samurai sword instead of a prop weapon.
- Harry Barnes On The Set Of “The General” (05:53)
During the production of the silent film “The General” in 1926, actor Harry Barnes was killed when a prop cannonball exploded unexpectedly.
- Charles Chandler On The Set Of “The Captive” (06:19)
In 1915, actor Charles Chandler was fatally injured on the set of “The Captive” when a prop gun accidentally discharged during a scene.
In conclusion, these tragic incidents serve as a somber reminder of the importance of rigorous safety measures on movie sets. The loss of these talented actors is a profound and heartbreaking reminder of the risks faced by those who bring our favorite stories to life on the silver screen. As the film industry continues to evolve, it is crucial to prioritize safety to prevent such devastating accidents in the future.
