"He's a real-life hero": Olivia Wilde says Walton Goggins saved her life on 'Cowboys & Aliens' set
Washington DC, June 30
Actor-director Olivia Wilde has revealed that actor Walton Goggins once saved her life during a terrifying accident on the set of the 2011 film 'Cowboys & Aliens', calling him a "real-life hero," according to People.
Speaking on the recent episode of Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast, Wilde recalled the frightening incident that occurred while filming a large horseback sequence alongside Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford and dozens of stunt riders.
"Walt Goggins saved my life on that movie," Wilde said. "I had a very bad horse accident, and he saved me. It was me and Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford galloping, like, full sprint across the desert with 40 horses behind us. And it was like we were leading the charge to fight the aliens or whatever."
Wilde said the accident happened when her horse unexpectedly threw her while jumping over a large ditch.
"This horse jumps and bucks me off in the craziest way," she recalled. "I fell off. I hit my head and my back, and I was laying [on the ground] but, unfortunately, I was on the other side of this kind of lip of dirt, meaning that all horses behind couldn't see me. And there was also a lot of dust," according to People.
The actor said she immediately realised the danger she was in as dozens of horses continued charging toward her.
"I remember having my ear to the ground and I could hear it and it sounded like thunder, like they were coming towards me. And I had the thought, it sounds so dramatic, but I thought, it'll be quick. It'll be like, pulverized applesauce. Out," she said.
According to Wilde, Goggins reacted instantly, putting himself in harm's way to shield her.
"Walt Goggins had seen me ahead of him and in a split second thought to turn his horse sideways right in front of me and let everyone kind of bash into him," she said. "He's a great rider, so he was able to handle that. People split the two sides around us, thinking he had just gone insane, but he was protecting my body on the ground."
"So I owe him my life," Wilde added. "It's crazy. He's a real-life hero," according to People.
Separately, Wilde recently dedicated her new film The Invite to the late Diane Keaton. Speaking at the film's premiere on June 24, she explained why the tribute was important to her.
"I really wanted to show this movie to Diane. I don't think that there is an Invite without Diane Keaton because she's in so many of the films that inspired this film," Wilde said, according to People.
"She is the first actress I recognized to kind of represent a totally unique and complex woman; she didn't fit any archetype, she was singular in her vulnerability, her complexity, her creativity," she added.
"She's unlike anyone else and she was very encouraging to me personally. I just wanted this to be for her," according to People.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is absolutely incredible. I've watched Cowboys & Aliens before but never knew this happened behind the scenes. Glad Olivia is sharing these stories now - shows how much trust and care exists between actors on tough film sets. Also kudos to Goggins for being such an excellent rider to pull that off safely for both of them.
You know, reading this really makes you think about how vulnerable actors can be on set. People always focus on the glamour but not the risks. Her description of "pulverized applesauce" was so hauntingly vivid. So grateful that Goggins was there and had the presence of mind to act. Takes a real team player to do that.
Not exactly related, but the bit about Dianne Keaton's tribute was sweet too. Wilde seems to really appreciate the people who influenced her. But the main story here is just insane - 40 horses galloping and you're lying there helpless? Gives me chills. Good to know Hollywood has genuine heroes on set.
This just shows that even amid all the chaos of a big-budget Hollywood film, humanity still shines through. And yaar, I love that she openly admits she owes him her life - that's true friendship. But I also hope film sets nowadays have better safety measures for such high-stakes stunts. One hero shouldn't have to be the only safety net. 🐎
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