Halle Berry recently opened up about the numerous injuries she has sustained throughout her illustrious acting career during a candid conversation with Mark Wahlberg. The two actors were promoting their upcoming Netflix action-comedy, The Union, in which Berry plays Wahlberg’s ex-girlfriend who inadvertently draws him into an international escapade. Their discussion revealed just how physically demanding and dangerous the world of acting can be, especially when it comes to performing stunts.
During the interview, when asked about the special skills they’ve had to learn for their roles, Berry didn’t hesitate to dive into the topic of injuries she’s endured over the years. “I’ve been knocked out three times,” the Bruised star began, recounting the toll her body has taken from performing stunts.
“I’ve had an arm broken, broke ribs twice—two ribs one time, three ribs another time. I’ve also broken my tailbone, two toes, and even a finger—this finger,”
she added with a laugh, holding up her middle finger for emphasis.
Despite these injuries, Berry continued to perform some incredibly dangerous stunts throughout her career. She reflected on a few particularly harrowing experiences that, while they didn’t result in injury, certainly pushed her to her limits. For instance, playing the iconic role of Storm in the X-Men series was no easy task. Berry often found herself suspended in mid-air by cables for long periods during filming, a physically taxing experience that required not just strength but immense patience.
Another nerve-wracking experience for Berry occurred during the filming of the 2012 thriller Dark Tide. In the film, Berry played a free diver, a role that required her to hold her breath for extended periods underwater. “I had to hold my breath for almost two and a half minutes,” she explained.
“It felt like an eternity. It felt like death was imminent.”
The physical and mental strain of the role was significant, but Berry managed to push through, adding another accomplishment to her already impressive resume.
Despite the challenges and injuries, Berry’s resilience shines through. The 57-year-old actress remains as vibrant as ever, as evidenced by her appearance at The Unions Los Angeles premiere. Berry stunned in a see-through gown, a bold fashion choice that complements her fearless persona both on and off the screen. Her frequent racy social media posts also continue to delight her fans, showing that she hasn’t lost any of her confidence or flair.
Mark Wahlberg, her co-star in The Union, also shared his own list of injuries, though they were somewhat less severe than Berry’s. “Torn meniscus, separated shoulder, and a bruised ego quite a few times,” the Boston-born actor quipped. Though his injuries may not have been as numerous, Wahlberg’s experiences still highlight the physical demands placed on actors, especially in action roles.
In addition to the injuries, both Berry and Wahlberg talked about the various skills they’ve picked up over the years. For her roles, Berry has learned jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, kickboxing, taekwondo, shooting, and even the Afro-Brazilian martial art of capoeira. Wahlberg, on the other hand, revealed that he had to learn to crochet, dance ballet, and tango for his 2010 action comedy The Other Guys.
The conversation also touched on the challenges of underwater shooting. “There were guys underneath the water holding my feet in position,” Wahlberg recalled. “They didn’t know where I was in relation to the waves, so I’m sucking in water, it’s going up and over my head, and I’m just trying to stay there and do the line and make sure I got the tear in the eye. That was not fun.”
The stories shared by Berry and Wahlberg underscore the often-overlooked physical toll that acting can take. While audiences see the polished final product, the behind-the-scenes reality is often filled with risks, injuries, and intense physical challenges. Yet, for these seasoned actors, it’s all part of the job, and they continue to take on demanding roles with unwavering dedication and passion.
