On May 1, 2025, Jeremy Renner appeared on The View to promote his memoir, My Next Breath, which details his recovery from a near-fatal snowplow accident in January 2023.
The episode, rebroadcast on August 5, 2025, during the show’s hiatus, featured a moving moment when host Whoopi Goldberg linked Renner’s experience to her Oscar-winning film Ghost (1990).
Renner shared that he was crushed by a 14,000-pound snowplow while protecting his nephew, suffering over 30 broken bones.
Responding to co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, he described a moment where he believes he “died right there on the driveway to [his] house.” He explained, “Love is the only thing that you take with you. It’s the only thing essential and that exists only in life here now in our bodies and in our spirit.”
He noted that hate “only exists on the coattails of love,” recalling a “beautiful space” he was pulled back from into his “busted old body.”
Goldberg, struck by his words, connected them to Ghost, where she played psychic medium Oda Mae Brown. In the film, Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) lingers in purgatory, driven by love for Molly Jensen (Demi Moore).
Goldberg said, “There are lots of reasons to try to remain when you feel you’re on your way out. That’s the movie Ghost. It’s love — you take it with you.” She added, “It’s good to know it’s not just a movie line,” to which Renner replied, “It’s not just a movie, no.”
The exchange resonated with audiences, with posts on X highlighting Renner’s vulnerability and resilience. His memoir, My Next Breath, explores the accident and recovery, which included relying on protein shakes (featured in a 2024 Silk Super Bowl ad) and drawing strength from his daughter, Ava. Renner’s return to acting in Mayor of Kingstown Season 3 and Knives Out 3 underscores his comeback.
The Ghost comparison adds depth to Renner’s story, blending cinematic nostalgia with real-life survival. As fans discuss his journey online, this The View moment reinforces his 2025 narrative of love and resilience.
The View airs weekdays at 11/10c on ABC. For more on Renner’s recovery, read My Next Breath or watch Mayor of Kingstown on Paramount+.