Joe Watts, a 37-year-old Hollywood stuntman, beat the odds after a terrifying 25-foot fall on the set of “Fast and Furious” left him with a broken skull and severe brain damage. Now, he’s sharing his inspiring recovery story for the first time, opening up about rebuilding his life from scratch.
Watts built an impressive career doubling for stars in big films. He played a stormtrooper in three Star Wars movies, boxed with Robbie Williams in a music video, and worked on hits like Mission Impossible, Jurassic World, Mamma Mia 2, and Kingsman 2. Just before the accident, fans saw him as a body double in the EastEnders Christmas special, thrilling five million viewers.
But in 2019, while filming at Warner Bros. studios in England, everything changed. During a stunt, Watts somersaulted off a balcony, but the wire attached to his harness snapped free. He plunged headfirst onto hard concrete, suffering catastrophic injuries. Doctors put him in an induced coma for five days. He then spent a month at the Royal London Hospital’s Major Trauma Centre and six weeks in rehab at The Wellington Hospital. No one expected him to pull through.
Watts, from Fetcham in Surrey, lost more than his physical abilities. “My accident completely ended my life in every way other than me surviving,” he told SWNS. He had to relearn basics like walking, talking, balancing, and even riding a bike or driving a car. His stunt career vanished, along with relationships—including with his parents—and chunks of his memory. As a former high-level gymnast, the losses hit hard. “I can’t do anything like that anymore, which is sad,” he said.
The stunt went wrong on the second take. The first one made it into the film, but a last-minute tweak to the wiring caused the detachment. Watts has no memory of the fall—his last clear moment was voicing concerns about a change in how the stunt coordinator would throw him. “As a stunt performer, it’s difficult. You are like a puppet on a string and must put your trust in everyone else,” he explained.
A Health and Safety Executive investigation uncovered major lapses by producer FF9 Pictures Limited. They skipped required harness inspections, didn’t double-check the stunt vest’s securing mechanism, and failed to extend crash mats after set changes. The company pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws and faced a fine of over $1 million, plus nearly $20,000 in costs at Luton Magistrates’ Court. The judge called Watts “lucky to be alive” and expressed shock at the poor safety measures. HSE inspector Roxanne Barker added, “In stunt work, it’s not about preventing a fall but minimizing the risk of injury. Mr. Watts’ injuries were life-changing, and he could have easily been killed.”
Recovery proved a grueling six-year battle. Watts fought through heavy depression, anger, and emotional struggles. His brain injury, an “invisible disability,” led to misunderstandings—people often judged him as trouble when he struggled outside. “I still believed I was the same person,” he said. “I thought I could walk and run, but I couldn’t balance.” Videos from the hospital showed him unable to speak, even though his mind raced with words.
Art became his lifeline. “I found my silver lining in painting,” Watts shared. “It was a place I could step away and escape.” A major milestone came at his June 2022 wedding to longtime partner Tilly Powell. Despite fears, he delivered an emotional speech in front of 140 guests, many from his stunt community. “My wife stuck by my side throughout,” he said. “Getting married was magical. I’ve got so much gratitude now for the experience.”
Watts now channels his journey to help others. He’s teaming up with Day One Trauma Support during Major Trauma Awareness Week, sharing messages of hope as a brain injury survivor. “Part of why I want to speak out is celebrating the communication skills I’ve relearned and motivating others,” he said. “I’m proud of my recovery so far. It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve come so far.” Through his story, Watts aims to empower those facing similar Hollywood stunt accidents or life-altering traumas, proving resilience can light the way forward.
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