Kristen Chenoweth, Halle Berry, Robert Downey Jr.: Is Acting More Dangerous Than Ever?

If you think that more of your favorite stars are getting hurt at work, you may be right

By Leslie Gornstein Aug 19, 2012 1:30 PMTags
Kristin Chenoweth, Robert Downey Jr., Halle BerryTurgeon/Massie/Splash News; Andrew Shawaf; PacificCoastNews.com; INFphoto.com

So, I'm reading the gossip headlines, and so many celebs are getting injured on sets. Kristin Chenoweth, was in the hospital...and a month later you can still see a huge bruise on her cheek! Is acting getting more dangerous, and can actors sue?
—Martini M., via Facebook

Don't forget Robert Downey Jr., who recently busted his ankle while filming Iron Man 3, or Halle Berry, who broke a foot on the set of the forthcoming Cloud Atlas, or William Levy and the host of other contestants who are constantly bashing everything on Dancing With the Stars.

Some of these accidents were minor, but others definitely were not. Berry claimed her bang-up was so bad it kept her away from the Oscars this year. So are things getting more dangerous for stars? I found out.

And the answer is yes. But not for the reasons you may think!

"I don't think this is necessarily a matter of acting becoming a more dangerous profession than any other," says Lorrie McNaught, TV insurance expert with Aon/Albert G. Ruben. "But what we're seeing is a trend in celebrities of every level wanting to be more involved in their own acting, specifically, their stunts."

Obviously this trend doesn't cover reality shows like Dancing With the Stars, where injuries are merely a part of the hoofer's life. But, McNaught says, ever since Tom Cruise came along wanting to do his own leaps and falls for films such as the Mission: Impossible series, more stars have followed suit.

Plus, it doesn't help that we have more gossip sites that ever (like, ahem, this one) reporting every nick and cut a star gets.

"The injuries are just not something fans have seen so often until now," McNaught says. "And you have more people doing stunts and active work, so you have more injuries."

As for lawsuits, they are few and far between in this business, and that's because most productions, no matter what the type, come covered with tons of liability insurance and medical coverage for talent. Occasionally, McNaught says, yes, the talent won't be satisfied with the coverage he or she gets, but then private mediation usually takes care of any beefs.

That and, of course, plenty of TLC from Tweeting fans.