Unseen Battle: 20 Actors Who Hid Their Injuries While Filming

Making a film or television series can be exhausting, involving extended work periods, high-risk stunts, and unforeseen mishaps. At times, actors sustain injuries but decide to persevere, concealing their pain to maintain the smooth flow of production or to perfect a particular scene.

Twenty artists displayed remarkable determination, hiding various injuries ranging from broken bones to potentially serious health issues, all the while giving unforgettable performances. This is how they persevered through pain, frequently making their on-screen wounds almost imperceptible.

James McAvoy in ‘Split’ (2016)

In the making of the psychological thriller ‘Split,’ actor James McAvoy sustained an injury to his knuckles. This incident occurred during a particularly dramatic sequence, yet he chose not to disclose it to prevent any potential delays in filming.

camerawork and editing skillfully concealed his inflamed hand; later, it was disclosed on social platforms that despite his discomfort, McAvoy persisted in performing to maintain the intensity of his portrayal.

Brad Pitt in ‘Se7en’ (1995)

As a passionate cinephile, I recall a thrilling moment from Brad Pitt’s performance in ‘Se7en’. During an intense chase scene, he slipped on a wet car hood and crashed through a windshield, causing an injury to his arm by severing a tendon. Rather than halting the production, the filmmakers creatively incorporated this accident into the script, adding another layer of realism to the chilling narrative of ‘Se7en’.

In an interesting twist, Pitt concealed his cast during previous sequences, thus making his character’s broken arm a significant plot point. His dedication ensured that the intense suspense of the film remained unwavering.

Leonardo DiCaprio in ‘Django Unchained’ (2012)

As a cinephile, I was blown away by the intensity of Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance in ‘Django Unchained.’ During a passionate table scene, his emotion got the better of him, causing him to slam his hand against the glass, cutting himself deeply. Remaining immersed in his role, he let the authenticity bleed into the scene, leaving a streak of real blood on Kerry Washington’s face.

In the final version, the impact of the scene was so strong that Quentin Tarantino decided to include it. Leonardo DiCaprio’s determination transformed what could have been a distressing incident into a legendary moment on screen.

Viggo Mortensen in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’ (2002)

In the heat of a furious moment as Aragorn, I found myself, Viggo Mortensen, breaking not one, but two toes after an impassioned kick directed at a helmet. The genuine, heart-wrenching cry that echoed was indeed my own, yet I pressed on, continuing to film the scene for the sake of the story’s authenticity.

In retrospect, director Peter Jackson mistakenly believed Viggo Mortensen was simply method acting; however, it turned out he had actually been injured, which lent an extraordinary authenticity to the scene.

Channing Tatum in ‘Foxcatcher’ (2014)

During a particularly intense breakdown scene for ‘Foxcatcher’, Channing Tatum collided his head with a mirror, causing a gash on his forehead and coming close to striking a wall support. Remarkably, he continued filming the entire take, even as he bled.

In the scene, the authenticity was undeniable, with director Bennett Miller opting to maintain the framing. Channing Tatum’s dedication to portraying a tormented wrestler was evident even amidst the agony.

Halle Berry in ‘Bruised’ (2020)

In the movie ‘Bruised,’ Halle Berry portrayed a UFC fighter and sustained two broken ribs during a MMA fight scene. Despite the pain, she persevered, using painkillers to complete the sequence.

As a devoted admirer, I’d say Berry’s warrior spirit propelled the project forward, and her injury was inconspicuous in the final edit. Her tenacity mirrored the indomitable spirit of her character.

Tom Cruise in ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ (2018)

In the movie ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’, Tom Cruise sprained his ankle while leaping between buildings. Despite being injured, he maintained his role’s persona to prevent having to repeat the dangerous stunt.

The genuine limp was incorporated into the movie, enhancing its authenticity. Despite a temporary halt in production, Tom Cruise’s dedication ensured that the scene remained unchanged.

Jackie Chan in ‘The Armour of God’ (1986)

In the movie ‘The Armour of God,’ Jackie Chan suffered a near-fatal fall from a height of approximately 40 feet off a tree, hitting his head on a stone and causing a skull injury. Remarkably, he resumed shooting following surgery, concealing his health predicament.

The clever use of camera angles hid the fact that he was recovering, and the daring stunt remained part of the film. Chan’s renowned resilience transformed this scene into a significant milestone in his career.

Harrison Ford in ‘The Fugitive’ (1993)

In the process of filming a high-speed chase sequence for ‘The Fugitive,’ Harrison Ford injured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). Despite this, he declined immediate surgical intervention and instead continued with the filming, favoring a limp during the remaining scenes of production.

The author incorporated his character’s limp within the narrative, making it seem like a part of the plot rather than an obvious injury. Meanwhile, Ford’s unwavering resolve ensured that the suspenseful storyline never slowed down.

Michelle Yeoh in ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ (2000)

In the action-packed film ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,’ Michelle Yeoh sustained an injury to her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a fight sequence. Despite this setback, she continued to shoot certain scenes while wearing a brace, skillfully concealed beneath loose trousers, before eventually undergoing surgery.

The production was tailored to film around her recuperation, and Yeoh’s poise made her injury unnoticeable. Her determination ensured that the movie’s breathtaking action sequences remained intact.

Dylan O’Brien in ‘Maze Runner: The Death Cure’ (2018)

In the filming of ‘Maze Runner: The Death Cure,’ Dylan O’Brien endured a concussion and facial fractures when struck by a vehicle during a stunt. Despite the discomfort, he concealed his pain to complete initial scenes.

For a whole year, production was halted because of his injuries, yet O’Brien’s dedication made his scenes feel genuine. His comeback demonstrated his strength and determination.

Charlize Theron in ‘Æon Flux’ (2005)

Charlize Theron almost became unable to move following a backflip where she landed on her neck during ‘Æon Flux’ production. Determined to continue working, she concealed her injury and endured excruciating pain to keep filming.

The camera angles skillfully hid her restricted mobility, while Theron persevered. Her tenacity kept the action movie from derailing.

Blake Lively in ‘The Rhythm Section’ (2020)

During filming for ‘The Rhythm Section,’ Blake Lively injured her hand during an intense fight sequence with Jude Law. Specifically, she dislocated some bones and tore a ligament. Despite the pain, she wrapped up her injury and carried on with the shoot.

In the screenplay, her injury was depicted as a minor cut to conceal her actual health situation. Yet, even with a six-month recuperation period ahead, Scarlett’s determination propelled the filming process forward.

Jeremy Renner in ‘Tag’ (2018)

In the movie ‘Tag,’ Jeremy Renner suffered broken arms when he fell off a 20-foot pile of chairs. Despite this, he returned to work following a hospital visit, camouflaging his splints with careful costume selections.

In a more simplified phrase, we could say: “His dedication ensured the humor stayed lively, and viewers scarcely noticed; Renner’s upbeat demeanor was evident despite the hardship.

Isla Fisher in ‘Now You See Me’ (2013)

In the movie ‘Now You See Me’, Isla Fisher came extremely close to drowning as her safety lines became entangled during a submerged stunt scene. However, she managed to carry on with her performance, successfully fooling the crew into believing that everything was alright.

She resorted to using a take, revealing her genuine distress. Fisher’s swift intelligence and expertise transformed a frightening incident into an exhilarating sequence.

Natalie Portman in ‘Black Swan’ (2010)

In the movie ‘Black Swan’, Natalie Portman suffered a dislocated rib while dancing. Despite the agony, she persisted with filming, concealing her pain to ensure her portrayal of a ballet dancer remained deeply emotional and intense.

* The camera angles and edits hid her unease, while Portman’s commitment led to an Academy Award. Her hurt was always outshone by her artistic talent.

* Skilled camerawork and editing masked her discomfort, and Portman’s devotion resulted in an Oscar. Despite her injury, her artistry remained the focus.

George Clooney in ‘Syriana’ (2005)

During the shooting of ‘Syriana’, George Clooney injured the protective covering of his spinal cord, which happened when he was being beaten while strapped to a chair. Despite the discomfort, he chose to continue acting without showing any signs of pain.

Despite the intense headaches he experienced due to his injury, Clooney’s performance remained impeccable, ultimately winning him an Oscar. His determination and resilience were truly commendable.

KJ Apa in ‘Riverdale’ (2017-2023)

In the final episode of ‘Riverdale’ season one, KJ Apa accidentally injured his hand while striking a block of ice wrapped in foam. He was so engrossed in the scene that he didn’t notice his injury until afterwards.

In my viewpoint, clever camera angles skillfully concealed the actor’s injury, while his intense portrayal remained undeniably captivating. Moreover, Apa’s vibrant enthusiasm breathed life into the scene, ensuring an authentic and engaging performance.

Matt LeBlanc in ‘Friends’ (1994-2004)

During a ‘Friends’ scene, Matt LeBlanc slipped and dislocated his shoulder when he fell onto a chair. Remarkably, he carried on filming, and the accidental event was incorporated into the series as one of Joey’s misfortunes.

In later episodes, a sling became part of the scene, fitting perfectly with the humor. LeBlanc’s dedication ensured continuous laughter.

Emilia Clarke in ‘Game of Thrones’ (2011-2019)

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I’d like to share a bit about Emilia Clarke’s journey. After wrapping up the first season of “Game of Thrones,” she faced a life-threatening challenge when she suffered a brain aneurysm. This called for immediate surgery to save her life. Yet, she bravely chose to conceal her struggle with recovery so she could continue embodying Daenerys on screen.

Just a handful of the team were privy to it, and she maintained her stellar performance throughout. Clark’s resilience transformed her character into an icon, even amidst her health struggles.

Or, in another way:

Few among the crew were aware, but her performance remained flawless. Despite facing a tough health challenge, Clark’s tenacity turned her role into an enduring symbol of strength and determination.

2025-07-14 06:45