How did Jeremy Renner lose his hearing in Hawkeye? Know here

In "Hawkeye," Jeremy Renner's character, Clint Barton, suffers hearing loss due to an injury. Discover his journey in this action-packed series!

By Khushi Srivastava

Updated on Oct 25, 2023 | 09:11 PM IST | 2.4M

Jeremy Renner

In the Disney+ TV show "Hawkeye," Jeremy Renner's character, Hawkeye, is portrayed as having hearing loss, which serves as a reminder of the sacrifices he has made as an Avenger. Despite not having superhuman abilities like some of his teammates, Hawkeye played an integral role in the Avengers franchise, appearing in films like "The Avengers" and "Avengers: Age of Ultron." However, his story appeared to come to a close with the conclusion of the Infinity Saga.

Thanks to the Avengers' time-travelling exploits, those who were lost due to Thanos' snap were restored, including Hawkeye, who returned to his family five years older and burdened by the guilt of his actions as Ronin. Nevertheless, the original Avengers' stories are far from over, with each member continuing to play a role in the MCU's future. In "Hawkeye," Clint Barton trains his successor, Kate Bishop, while also grappling with his hearing loss and the trauma of his past.

During a press conference hosted by ComicBook.com, Renner spoke about his own experiences with hearing loss, which influenced the portrayal of Hawkeye's condition. He clarified that he is only hard of hearing and not completely deaf.

Who is Jeremy Renner?

Jeremy Lee Renner is an accomplished American actor, who began his career with appearances in independent films like Dahmer in 2002 and Neo Ned in 2005. He gradually moved on to supporting roles in bigger films such as S.W.A.T. in 2003 and 28 Weeks Later in 2007. Renner received critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations for Best Actor for his portrayal of a military sergeant in The Hurt Locker in 2008 and Best Supporting Actor for playing a hot-headed robber in The Town in 2010.

Renner is also known for his portrayal of Clint Barton/Hawkeye, a member of the Avengers, in several Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and TV shows, beginning with Thor in 2011. He recently played a prominent role in the Disney+ series Hawkeye. Renner has also appeared in a number of action films including Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol in 2011, The Bourne Legacy in 2012, and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation in 2015. He has also starred in notable dramas such as American Hustle in 2013, Arrival in 2016, and Wind River in 2017.

Born on January 7, 1971, in Modesto, California, to Valerie Cearley and Lee Renner, Jeremy is of German and Irish descent. His father was the managing director of a bowling alley in Modesto during the 1980s. Jeremy is the oldest of seven siblings, and his youngest sibling was born in 2011. He graduated from Fred C. Beyer High School in Modesto in 1989 and attended Modesto Junior College, where he studied computer science and criminology. After taking a drama class as an elective, he decided to pursue acting.

What happened to Jeremy Renner?

On January 1, 2023, Renner was involved in a hit and run accident at his home where he was hit and run over by an "extremely large" snow cat, weighing around 6,500 kg, according to information from the Washoe County sheriff's office. As a result of the accident, Renner suffered blunt chest trauma and other injuries and was immediately hospitalised. He was flown by helicopter to a local hospital where he underwent surgery on January 2. Renner's representative confirmed that he was in critical but stable condition and currently being treated in an intensive care unit.

On January 3, Renner took to his social media accounts and posted a picture thanking his fans for their support. He also mentioned that he was too injured to type.

HAWKEYE EXPLORES AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF CLINT’S STORY

Jeremy Renner

The Hawkeye series is expected to bring more of Clint Barton's comic accurate storyline into the live-action MCU, along with characters such as Lucky the Pizza Dog. The show will also showcase Barton's hearing loss, a disability that has affected him in Marvel Comics' history.

During the show's press conference, Jeremy Renner, who plays Hawkeye, discussed his excitement about bringing the character's hearing loss to the series. He spoke about his own experiences with hearing problems and how he was able to portray a sense of vulnerability on-screen.

Renner stated, "I grew up with hearing loss, so I thought it was just a really wonderful thing to bring in. It's always been a part of Clint's character in the comics, and we found a way to make it a truthful entry point for his life and how it affects his life. There's a wonderful vulnerability that comes with it, and it ties into other characters in a fun way, both positively and negatively. It's quite dynamic and interesting, sometimes an obstacle, sometimes an asset not being able to hear."

Although Hawkeye has been a longstanding character in the MCU, the show will be the first to explore his hearing loss on-screen. This makes Barton the second character in the MCU with a hearing disability, following Lauren Ridloff's portrayal of Makkari in Eternals.

The exact portrayal of Barton's hearing loss in the show remains unknown, but it is clear that Marvel is committed to representing the disability accurately and respectfully.

Jeremy Renner Explains How Clint's Hearing Loss Mirrors Real Life

Jeremy Renner, who portrays Hawkeye in the upcoming Marvel Studios series on Disney+, recently discussed how his character's hearing loss in the show reflects real-life experiences of himself and others. Hawkeye will be Renner's first solo outing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, co-starring Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop and Lucky the Pizza Dog, a fan-favourite character from the comics.

The show, which takes inspiration from the Hawkeye comic series “My Life As A Weapon" by Matt Fraction and David Aja, will also feature a talented ensemble cast, including Florence Pugh, Alaqua Cox, Fra Fee, Vera Farmiga, and Brian d’Arcy James. The plot of the series will follow Clint Barton as he tries to enjoy the holidays with his family in New York City, only to get sidetracked by enemies from his past as Ronin and Kate's eagerness to embrace the Ronin persona. The show will also delve into Hawkeye's hearing loss, a long-standing issue in the comics, offering an opportunity to explore the character's storylines more deeply than ever before.

During Hawkeye's official press conference hosted by Brandon Davis of ComicBook.com and The Illuminerdi, the show's cast and crew discussed various aspects of the upcoming Disney+ series. One of the topics that Jeremy Renner, who portrays Clint Barton/Hawkeye in the show, talked about was his character's comic-book hearing loss and how it was exciting to explore it in the series. Renner also shared that he himself is hard of hearing, which added to the personal connection he felt to the storyline.

Renner expressed his appreciation for how the show's creators found a way to make Hawkeye's hearing loss a genuine part of his life and how it affects him. He believes that this vulnerability adds an interesting dynamic to the character, which also ties into other characters in various ways, both positive and negative. He stated that sometimes not being able to hear can be an obstacle, but at other times, it can be an asset. Overall, Renner finds the exploration of Hawkeye's hearing loss to be dynamic and intriguing.

Is Jeremy Renner deaf in real life?

During a press conference hosted by Brandon Davis of ComicBook.com, Jeremy Renner spoke about his hearing difficulties, clarifying that he is not completely deaf but rather hard of hearing. Renner stated that this has been a significant aspect of his life.