Jeremy Renner Talks Learning How to Walk and Run After His Snowplow Accident: ‘I’m Rebirthed’ (Exclusive)

Jeremy Renner is coming back stronger than ever following his nearly fatal snowplow incident two years ago.

“When you’re told that you’re not going to walk right ever again or would definitely be assisted with a cane or something, then all of a sudden I was running up that driveway,” the actor, 54, exclusively shares in the latest issue of Us Weekly while partnering with Brooks running shoes and the “Let’s Run There” campaign. “Somehow, some way I was feeling really good that day and I was doing some physical therapy and training a little bit, and I just thought I’d skip down and see if I can maybe try to do that.”

In January 2023, Renner was run over by a 14,330-pound snowplow and rushed to the hospital via helicopter. The accident resulted in him having 38 broken bones, a collapsed lung, a lacerated liver and an eye that popped out of its socket. He underwent two surgeries. Nearly three weeks later, Renner returned home to continue his recovery, where he had to learn how to walk again.

When Renner got to the point of giving running a go “10 months” later, the Marvel star admits he was “overwhelmed” while also feeling a “ray of hope” wash over him.

“I always believed I would [recover], but now I have some physical evidence that I might actually do this for God’s sakes,” he says. “I planned and believed all my hopes and all my scheming to move through it.”

Renner describes his recovery process as “a 24-hour day job” — and his perseverance paid off.

“I had to spend so much energy on relearning to walk and run. Now I’m back at work. I’m back, hoping and dreaming and discovering joy,” he explains. “Look, I’m rebirthed in a way. I got to wipe the slate clean. It was rolled out of me.”

Now, Renner feels “stronger than before.”

“I’m not as visibly strong as 10 years ago when I was doing The Bourne Legacy. Maybe it’s better health. It’s health and wellness and mental health and spiritual health and wellness,” he tells Us. “All that’s pretty central in my life. So obviously I feel much better.”

In addition to feeling physical recovery, Renner is also making sure that he has a better work-life balance, especially as a father. (Renner shares daughter Ava with ex-wife Sonni Pacheco.)

“Work has always been high on the priority list for me. Obviously, it’s a huge part of my life. The only thing that really has shifted for me is not the projects that I know and I love, and especially the characters that I’ve been a part of and been blessed to be a part of, my family and my time with my family is the priority,” he shares. “My time is my only currency. I died, I’ve come back. I’ve been blessed with another shot at this.”

Renner has taken his newfound strength and has implemented it into the “Let’s Run There” campaign. During his recovery, Renner learned how to run again wearing Brooks running shoes. Now he’s come full circle by starring in a running commercial for the brand.

“There’s such a weird juxtaposition to this broken man, but coming back and a phoenix rising from the ashes,” he tells Us. “It became much more about everyone has certain challenges, let’s run there. Everyone has their own challenges. Everyone has their own specific obstacles, but we’re not alone in this. Everyone’s always going to have some sort of challenge or thing, but let’s run there means that let’s be actionable. Let’s take action and let’s get through ’em together.”