Alec Baldwin says the accident on the set of Rust still haunts him.
The Incident
On October 21, 2021, a tragic shooting on the set of the Western film Rust resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was 42. The event left Baldwin, 67, with a deep and lasting impact.
The Legal Journey
Baldwin faced involuntary-manslaughter charges that were dismissed with prejudice by a New Mexico judge in July 2024. In January, he filed a civil lawsuit for malicious prosecution and civil-rights violations, seeking damages for the fallout from the incident.
The Personal Toll
During the December 19 episode of the Dopey podcast, Baldwin described the ordeal as having “broken every nerve in my body, spiritually, financially, work-wise, career.” He added, “If I told you what my health conditions have been since October 21 of 2021, it’s taken 10 years off of my life.”
He recalled a period when he “took a nap every day for a year” and at one point “couldn’t even move.” Those statements illustrate the depth of his physical and emotional suffering.
Family Support
In a February episode of the TLC reality series The Baldwins, Baldwin spoke to his wife, Hilaria, 41, about the ongoing pain. He said, “This has been just surreal. I can’t even believe that we’re going through this, and I always feel more in pain about you than me, because I think to myself, ‘Well, I’m going to try my best to get through it.’ And I think what it’s done to you and how much it hurt you.'”
Hilaria acknowledged how the incident had affected him, while Baldwin credited his family for giving him the will to move forward. “From the bottom of my soul, I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have you or these kids,” he said.
The Wider Context
Baldwin shares seven children with Hilaria and a daughter, Ireland, 30, with his former wife Kim Basinger. Earlier this year, Hilaria opened up on The Baldwins about backlash over her accent, her pregnancy losses, and how Alec has begun to heal after the charges were dismissed.
Moving Forward
Baldwin’s candid discussions highlight the long-term mental-health effects of the tragedy and the legal battle that followed. He continues to grapple with the trauma while leaning on his family’s support and the relief that the legal charges have been dropped.
Key Takeaways
- The Rust accident on October 21, 2021 killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42.
- Alec Baldwin faced and was cleared of involuntary-manslaughter charges in July 2024.
- He filed a civil lawsuit in January 2025 for malicious prosecution and civil-rights violations.
- Baldwin describes the incident as having “broken every nerve in my body” and says it has taken “10 years off of my life.”
- Family support, especially from wife Hilaria and their children, remains crucial to his recovery.
Baldwin’s story is a stark reminder of how a single event can ripple through a person’s life for years, reshaping health, career, and relationships.
