In a world where every scene is crafted to perfection, an unexpected turn of events left actor Brandon Sklenar with more than just memories from the set of '1923'.
- April 13, 2025
AceShowbiz - From facing down rampaging elephants to fending off lions, Brandon Sklenar, the star of the "Yellowstone" prequel "1923", has seen his fair share of on-set action. However, none of these challenges compare to the real injury he sustained during what seemed like a routine fight sequence.
Sklenar's journey into the wilderness of old-time Hollywood came with a dramatic twist, leaving him with a scar and a story to tell.
In a candid chat with his "Housemaid" co-star, Sydney Sweeney, Sklenar detailed the "dumbest" way he has ever hurt himself. "Splitting my own head open with a helmet shooting a scene in 1923. That was pretty dumb," he revealed.
The injury occurred while filming a scene where his character, World War I veteran Spencer Dutton, had to slam a helmet on another man's neck during a struggle.
The actor recounted, "When we actually shot it, I had the helmet far enough in front of me to have some clearance. Then we had to shoot from his point of view... and because of the angle I had to hold the helmet really close to me... So I came up and hit myself right here under my eye and just totally split my head open."
The moment of impact was serious enough to necessitate immediate first aid on set. "They had to superglue it," Sklenar mentioned, adding that the resulting scar remains as a painful souvenir from the series.
He said maintaining continuity in the show required some behind-the-scenes movie magic. "They had to CGI it into the other stuff we had already shot before, and now he just has this head wound the entire season if you look closely."
Despite the accident, Sklenar remains undeterred in performing his own stunts, a passion that seems rooted in his rugged upbringing. "I love using my body. I'm really good at it. I grew up fighting and doing construction. If I don't use my body in some way, I feel pretty underutilized," he explained.
Reflecting on the show's intense and heartbreaking moments, including the tragic season 2 finale, Sklenar admitted that the emotional depth of creator Taylor Sheridan's writing often moves him to tears.
Brandon Sklenar's commitment to his craft and his extraordinary experiences on the set of "1923" are a testament to the extremes actors go to bring characters to life. The series, streaming now on Paramount+, offers viewers a deeply immersive experience, punctuated by real-life scars and relentless dedication to storytelling.
