Renner and Yi Zhou
Filmmaker Yi Zhou and Jeremy Renner, whose recent allegations have raised concerns among his friends.

Friends of Jeremy Renner are reportedly concerned after the allegations have emerged, insisting that the actor's scandal could not only damage his career but also pose a risk to his already fragile health.

Coming on the back of a near‑fatal snow‑plough accident in January 2023, the stakes seem higher.

Near‑fatal Accident Highlights Actor's Vulnerable State

In January 2023, Renner was critically injured when a 14,000‑lb snow‑cat vehicle rolled over him while he attempted to rescue his nephew, Alexander Fries, near his Nevada property.

The actor sustained horrifying injuries, sustaining more than 30 broken bones, a collapsed lung, a lacerated liver, and major head trauma.

He later described the experience in his memoir as a moment where his heart rate bottomed out 'at 18 beats per minute' and he 'knew I died'.

Investigators determined the crash was a tragic accident, with no signs of foul play or impairment.

Since recovering, Renner has spoken of ongoing surgery and therapy, underlining how his physical resilience remains under strain.

Latest Allegations Threaten Reputation and Recovery

In November 2025, filmmaker Yi Zhou accused Renner of sending 'unsolicited intimate photographs' in June 2025, and of threatening to call the US immigration agency ICE when she confronted him about alleged misconduct.

Renner's legal team quickly responded, calling the claims 'totally inaccurate and untrue' and suggesting they may stem from retaliation after romantic advances were rejected.

At present no formal charges have been made public, and the matter remains subject to ongoing scrutiny.

Concern from Friends: The Human Cost of Stress and Scandal

Insiders close to Renner say that the combination of his post‑accident vulnerabilities and the stress of the dispute are causing serious alarm. They claim the scandal 'could literally kill him' by jeopardising both his physical recovery and mental well‑being.

Colleagues have praised his earlier resilience, actor Anthony Mackie labelled him 'the pure definition of a strong human being'.

But friends emphasise that strength cannot entirely dispel the prolonged strain of trauma, surgery and the added pressure of public allegations.

Career Background and Why it Matters

Renner, an Oscar‑nominated actor for films such as The Hurt Locker and best known for playing Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or MCU, has a public image very attached to physical toughness and heroism.

The accident itself was an assault on that identity, changing the story to one of survival and fragility.

And so the allegations of misconduct currently facing him have added significance. They not only threaten his reputation; they may complicate his return to full-scale work, especially as he works to rebuild both his body and career.

With his background and status on the line, the aftermath of this scandal may manifest throughout his built fame and reputation.

Originally published on IBTimes UK