Through the years, some of Hollywood’s stars have physically taken a beating while producing their movies. In fact, their bodies were so abused that they were left with permanent damage and years of debilitating pain. Most people never knew that that star was hurting because they kept going, working through the pain. As they aged, though, the effects of their injuries really caught up to them.
Martial artist Jackie Chan has broken many bones in his career ranging from his ankle to his head. In one movie, his “head hit a rock, sending a fractured piece of his skull straight into his brain, which caused internal bleeding. Chan required emergency 8-hour brain surgery, which was successful. However, it required a plastic plate to be inserted into his brain to plug up the hole, which remains to this day. The actor was also left hard of hearing in one ear, another permanent side effect.”1 Other movies brought about second-degree burns, a dislocated shoulder and sternum as well as broken facial bones and fingers.
Buddy Ebsen, best known for his role as Jed Clampet, had another starring role. He was originally cast as the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz. Pure aluminum dust over white paint was used to give the Tin Man his silvery appearance. As Ebsen would sweat, the dust would come off and more would have to be applied. One night, Ebsen awoke from sleep unable to breathe. He was rushed to the hospital where x-rays revealed that Ebsen’s lungs were completely coated in aluminum. After eight weeks either in the hospital or home recuperating, he returned to the set, only to find that he had been replaced by Jack Haley. Ebsen’s lungs were never right after that.
Dick York was starring in The Seesaw Girl and Me. While working a handcar, “a cast member grabbed onto its handle, creating a sudden increase in weight that, upon lifting the handle, tore York’s right back muscles. A doctor prescribed painkillers for York, and he continued to work through the pain. His spine would go on to heal incorrectly and caused consistent pain for the rest of his life.”2
Buster Keaton was an actor from the days of the silent films who insisted on doing all his own stunts. In one movie, Keaton was jumping from a moving train to a water tank spout. As he hung there, water came out of the spout with such force that Keaton was knocked to the ground. When he fell, his head and neck struck a railroad track and he blacked out. When he revived, he called off shooting for the rest of the day but resumed the next. Eleven years later – yes, you read that right – 11 years later at a doctor’s visit, an x-ray was performed, and it revealed that Keaton had broken his neck. The only thing Keaton figured it could have been was a result of the fall 11 years earlier. No wonder he was having constant pain.
While we might not be able to endorse these actors as individuals or any of their films, we must respect their dedication to their craft and willingness to continue despite their pain. They gave their all to continue working and those who are still living are still working today.
If presumably unsaved individuals are willing to sacrifice their all for the entertainment industry, why are Christians not willing to sacrifice their all for the Heavenly Kingdom and their Savior? Romans 12:1 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” To live a life of full sacrifice and surrender is NOT exceptional or extraordinary. It is reasonable!
This all out sacrifice is seen in Romans 6:6-7. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (7) For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Not only is there great freedom in total sacrifice. There is LIFE according to Romans 6:8. “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.”
Surely, dear Christian, we can do better than Hollywood actors. They do it for awards and money. We do it for the One who saved our soul and gave us forgiveness, blessings, and the promise of a Heavenly home.
Full surrender and sacrifice is worth it!
1https://www.slashfilm.com/1335419/actors-damaged-bodies-forever-movie-role/
2Ibid.