JEREMY RENNER

Jeremy Lee Renner (born January 7, 1971 in Modesto, California) is an American actor, filmmaker, musician, and producer . Noted for his intensity and grounded portrayals, he shot to international fame as bomb disposal expert William James in The Hurt Locker, earning an Academy Award nomination, and as superhero Hawkeye in multiple Marvel films and series .

Early Life and Education

Renner grew up in Modesto, the eldest of seven siblings, raised by his parents Valerie and Lee Renner—originally teenage sweethearts. He graduated from Fred C. Beyer High School in 1989, then briefly pursued computer science and criminology at Modesto Junior College before discovering his passion for drama through an elective class .

Career Milestones

Indie Beginnings to Oscar Recognition

He began his acting career in 1995 with minor TV and indie film roles, gaining critical attention as killer Jeffrey Dahmer in Dahmer (2002), which led to an Independent Spirit Award nomination . His gritty work continued in S.W.A.T. (2003) and 28 Weeks Later (2007).

Breakout Roles & Award Nods

Renner’s portrayal of soldier William James in The Hurt Locker (2009) earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination, followed by a Best Supporting Actor nomination for The Town (2010) . Major blockbusters followed, including Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), The Bourne Legacy (2012), Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013), American Hustle (2013), Arrival (2016), and Wind River (2017) .

Becoming Hawkeye & Beyond

Renner joined the MCU as Clint Barton/Hawkeye in The Avengers (2012) and continued in Age of Ultron, Civil War, Endgame, and the Disney+ series Hawkeye (2021), winning over viewers as the archer hero . He also wrote, produced, and hosted the Disney+ docuseries Rennervations, showcasing his creative versatility .

Near-Death Accident & Heroic Recovery

On January 1, 2023, while trying to rescue his nephew in Reno, Nevada, Renner was critically injured when a 14,000‑lb snowcat plow crushed him, leaving him with around 38 broken bones, a collapsed lung, liver trauma, and fractures throughout his body. He spent two weeks in the ICU and faced a long recovery . In his memoir My Next Breath (April 29, 2025), he recounts experiencing death and transcendent peace, referring to it as his "ReBirthday" .

By mid‑2024, Renner had not only regained mobility—walking with a cane and later unassisted—but also returned to filming Mayor of Kingstown Season 4 and is set to appear in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery . He also declined to return for Hawkeye Season 2 due to significantly reduced pay, citing the added strain on his body post-accident .

Personal Life & Ongoing Projects

Renner was briefly married to Sonni Pacheco in 2014 and shares a daughter with her . Since his accident, he's focused on recovery and limited his action roles. His creative endeavors continue as a producer and voice actor in upcoming films like the Knives Out sequel and projects linked to his Mayor of Kingstown series .

Jeremy Renner’s story is a testament to resilience—an actor who achieved critical acclaim, became a superhero icon, and survived a catastrophic accident—now turning that experience into renewed purpose and creative momentum.