Jeremy Renner Marks Second ‘ReBirthday’ After Snowplow Accident

On January 1, 2023, the world was shaken by news of a devastating snowplow accident involving Hollywood actor Jeremy Renner. Two years later, the "Mayor of Kingstown" star is celebrating what he’s now calling his “second ReBirthday,” a powerful moment of reflection and gratitude for the life-saving efforts that helped him recover from what could have been a fatal accident.

Renner, 53, took to Instagram to mark the occasion, expressing his deep appreciation for everyone who played a part in his survival. In a heartfelt post accompanied by a photo of himself in a hospital bed surrounded by his medical team, Renner wrote, “Happy New Year blessings to you all… Ringing in my second 'ReBirthday' today.”

The actor, known for his roles in “The Avengers” and “The Hurt Locker,” had suffered life-threatening injuries, including a collapsed lung, a lacerated liver, and over 30 broken bones. Despite the severity of his injuries, Renner is not only alive but standing strong once again, thanks to the quick action of emergency responders, his family, and a touch of luck.

“I send out my love, respect, and gratitude for the army of people that it took to put me back together again,” Renner continued in his post. “Thank you to each and every nurse, doctor, first responder… I literally owe you my life.”

Renner also honored the efforts of his nephew, Alex Fries, and his neighbors, who helped keep him alive during those critical moments immediately following the accident. “All my heart goes out to my beautiful, brave nephew and the angels (my neighbors) who jumped to my aid and endured the chaos for 45 long minutes on the icy asphalt New Year’s morning,” he said.

The Terrifying Snowplow Accident

The events leading to Renner’s near-death experience began on a snowy New Year’s Day in 2023, when the actor was at his mountain retreat near Reno, Nevada. The area had been hit by a severe blizzard, and after hosting family for the holiday, Renner decided to use his snowplow to clear the driveway and tow his car, which had become stuck on the icy road.

In a tragic turn of events, Renner’s nephew, Alex, was attempting to detach the chain connecting the car to the snowplow. Renner, concerned for his nephew’s safety, leaned out of the plow to check on him but failed to set the parking brake properly. The vehicle began rolling, and in an effort to prevent it from hitting his nephew, Renner tried to jump back in. He was caught under the massive, 7-ton snowplow, which ran over him, causing severe injuries.

Renner's quick-thinking neighbors, Rich Kovach and Barb Fletcher, rushed to his aid, helping to stabilize him until paramedics could arrive. The injuries were so severe that Renner was initially unable to move and was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition.

A Long Road to Recovery

Renner’s recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. After two weeks in the hospital, he was finally discharged but still had to endure a difficult and grueling recovery. For weeks, he couldn’t get out of bed, relying on his family for support as he began the long process of healing.

During this time, Renner shared glimpses of his recovery journey with fans, posting updates on social media. He revealed that he had to learn to walk again and that the process of regaining strength was both physically and emotionally exhausting. Yet through it all, his sense of gratitude never wavered.

“My gratitude list is very long … With the amount of love and prayers that flooded in from you all around the world (needing each and everyone of them), my family never leaving my side, with some divine intervention, a bit of luck, and a whole lot of miracles… I stand strong again,” he wrote in his recent post.

Renner’s message was also one of resilience and hope. “More Open. More Loved. More Connected. And f—--- BLESSED to take my next step, to take MY NEXT BREATH,” he said. The post ended with a powerful statement of gratitude: “Thank you with every fiber and cell in my body. I love you ALL ❤️.”

A Moment to Reflect and Celebrate Life

As Renner celebrates his second "ReBirthday," it’s clear that his life has been transformed. What could have been a tragic end has instead become a story of survival, love, and resilience. Renner’s gratitude is evident in every word he shares, and he continues to inspire his fans and followers with his unwavering determination to heal and embrace life fully.

His journey from near-death to recovery is a testament to the power of human connection, the strength of the human spirit, and the miracles that can happen when people come together in moments of crisis.

It’s also a reminder that sometimes, in the face of adversity, all we can do is take a breath — and keep moving forward. Renner’s message is a beacon of hope for anyone facing challenges in their own lives, showing that, no matter how difficult the path may be, there’s always a reason to celebrate the next step, the next breath, and the next chapter.

The Road Ahead

As Renner continues his recovery, he’s also adjusting to the limitations that come with his injuries. He admitted in a recent interview that he doesn’t have the energy or stamina to take on “challenging” acting roles at the moment, but that hasn’t stopped him from staying connected to his fans and looking forward to what lies ahead.

For now, Renner is focused on healing, appreciating the love and support he’s received, and spending time with his family and friends. With the worst behind him, he’s determined to live life to the fullest — a true reflection of his strength and resilience.