What's Happening?
Mariska Hargitay, star of 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,' experienced a significant injury due to a stunt gone wrong on the set of the NBC crime drama. The incident occurred in the fall of 2008 when Hargitay was performing a stunt that involved chasing a suspect. Despite landing on pads, she landed incorrectly on the second take, which led to a collapsed lung. Initially, Hargitay believed she had only knocked the wind out of herself or pulled a muscle, but the injury was more severe, requiring surgery months later. After returning to work in March 2009, her lung collapsed again, a rare occurrence that affects only one in every 1,000 people. This experience prompted Hargitay to reconsider her approach to performing stunts.
Why It's Important?
The incident highlights
the physical risks actors face when performing their own stunts, even on television sets. Hargitay's injury underscores the importance of safety protocols and the potential consequences of performing high-risk actions without adequate precautions. This event may influence other actors and production teams to prioritize safety and possibly reconsider the necessity of actors performing their own stunts. The entertainment industry could see a shift towards using professional stunt performers more frequently to prevent similar incidents, ensuring the well-being of actors and maintaining production schedules without unexpected medical setbacks.
What's Next?
Following her injury, Mariska Hargitay has likely adjusted her approach to action sequences, potentially opting for increased use of stunt doubles. This change could set a precedent for other actors in the industry, encouraging them to prioritize their health and safety over performing risky stunts. Production teams might also review and enhance their safety measures to prevent similar incidents. The broader industry may see a cultural shift towards valuing safety over authenticity in action scenes, which could lead to changes in how stunts are choreographed and executed on set.
