INTERVIEW: Jeremy Renner Talks 'Mayor of Kingstown' S4, Snow Plow Accident, Marvel; Avengers, Music + More

Summary

The Breakfast Club – Interview with Jeremy Renner

Podcast: The Breakfast Club
Host: iHeartPodcasts (DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God)
Date: October 21, 2025
Guest: Jeremy Renner
Episode Theme:
Jeremy Renner joins The Breakfast Club for an in-depth conversation about the upcoming season of “Mayor of Kingstown,” navigating complicated characters, surviving a near-fatal snowplow accident, reflections on his Marvel tenure, personal growth, and his continuing passion for music.

---

1. Overview of Episode Theme

The episode features Jeremy Renner in a candid and wide-ranging conversation, delving into his shifts as a performer, his near-death experience and recovery, the new direction of "Mayor of Kingstown," insights into the Marvel universe, and his reflections on family, compassion, and purpose. Renner's vulnerability and directness set a thoughtful and inspiring tone throughout.

---

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

A. Season 4 of “Mayor of Kingstown”

• Excitement For The New Season

  • Renner calls this “the best season so far” because the show can now focus on core characters, moving away from scattered subplots.

    "Instead of having a bunch of B and C and D storylines, we can put everybody into the same narrative...more watching a movie type of vibe." (03:40, Jeremy Renner)

• Character Complexity

  • Renner gravitates towards morally ambiguous roles:

    “I think I've even kind of built a career of, like, is he a good guy or a bad guy? You're not quite sure...just like every human being on the planet.” (04:07, Jeremy Renner)

• Exploring Mike McCluskey’s Moral Compass

  • He sees Mike as a selfless figure with a personal moral code, operating in gray areas due to his background but ultimately striving for the greater good.

    “There’s something selfless about Mike McCluskey that I’m attracted to...the intention behind him is always forthright and being selfless.” (05:23, Jeremy Renner)

B. Reflections on Modern America Through “Mayor of Kingstown”

• The Role of Unifiers in a Divided Society

  • Renner compares his character’s unifying efforts to the need for similar figures in America, critiquing the divisive nature of politics.
  • He highlights the need to listen to and understand all people, not just those in power.

    “We need...someone that can kind of grease the wheels on all sides and smooth the edges of people...what's important is to unite us all.” (06:13, Jeremy Renner)

• On Humanity and Compassion

  • Emphasizes applying childhood rules of fairness and kindness (“third grade playground rules”) to society as a whole.

    “Treat people like you want to be treated...if we operate from that accord...it's going to work for all of us.” (09:09, Jeremy Renner)

C. Snowplow Accident and Recovery

• Near-Death Experience & Lessons Learned

  • January 2023 accident: 14,000-pound snowplow, saving his nephew.
  • No regrets, would “do it again”; it deepened his gratitude and focus on love and relationships over all else.

    “I have zero regrets about it. I'd do it again...I learned so many great things and gifts that came from, from dying and coming back.” (11:17, Jeremy Renner)

  • He openly discusses the spiritual aspect, connecting his experience to universal stories of near-death:

    “It’s ultimately...just about love. And it’s the only thing sort of you take with you...Hate only exists on the tails of love because hate burns out...but you can love forever in its perpetuity.” (13:32, Jeremy Renner)

• Family Ties After Trauma

  • Family relationships “deepened immensely” after the accident; strong support network aided recovery.

    “My family is...yeah, we all say yes to each other. I don’t think we’re saying no to each other.” (20:13, Jeremy Renner)

• Getting Back to Work & Facing Physical Limits

  • Returned to set while still recovering, struggling with energy but driven to return to acting and “start working again.”

    “Getting back to work was important to me, even though I really struggled, which I found strange...playing make believe was a little bit more palatable, I suppose, once I healed.” (21:50–23:42, Jeremy Renner)

D. Spirituality and Perspective on Life

• Views on God and Spirituality
  • Grew up with a theologist father, studied many religions; considers himself “godly” but not attached to organized religion.

    “None of that’s ultimately changed outside. I still believe in something that’s like...I don’t know what brought me back.” (23:46, Jeremy Renner)

  • Near-death made him appreciate “purposeful” living and cut away distractions.

    “I just only do things that are very purposeful and very intended. I don’t do anything otherwise.” (25:01, Jeremy Renner)

E. Marvel, Celebrity, Trauma, and Public Perception

• Marvel Salary/Recovery Rumors

  • Clarifies that Marvel did not cut his salary due to the accident, but adjustments were made for physical limitations.

    "If they want to do season two...offered half the amount...But it's going to take a lot of physical work to get back into it." (26:25, Jeremy Renner)

• Speculation On Future Marvel Roles

  • Firmly denies rumors of playing Doomsday in Secret Wars:

    “No. Damn, no.” (27:00, Jeremy Renner)

  • Receptive but relaxed about Marvel bringing in alternate-dimension Hawkeyes.

    "If they want to do that...by all means. I got, I got. I'm pretty busy myself." (27:08, Jeremy Renner)

• Fan Interactions After the Incident

  • Reports a change in public perception: now valued as an overcomer rather than just a celebrity hero, with more meaningful fan interactions:

    “It's less selfies...I'll get people just walk by me and be like, glad you're with us, man...it's something really connective and really human exchange.” (27:45, Jeremy Renner)

• His Former Fan App

  • Created a fan app as an alternative to social media, but discontinued it due to time commitments.

F. Marvel’s Handling of Controversy

• Public Allegations and Corporate Response
  • Renner’s take on why Marvel stood by him while dropping Jonathan Majors is cautiously noncommittal, reflecting on the role of public opinion versus legal process:

    “When did, like, you know, public opinion become more valuable than the actual truth...I think it’s kind of dangerous, if you ask me.” (34:00, Jeremy Renner)

  • On “cancel culture”:

    “That just makes me want to run and hide from...why put yourself out there and do anything for anybody at all?” (34:48, Jeremy Renner)

G. Memorable Marvel Moments and Relationships

• Improvised Lines and Set Memories
  • Reveals that some lines in Avengers: Endgame—like the “go grab your hammer and go fly and talk to him” line—were improvised.

    "It's practically made that one up....With the Rooster Brothers you have certain freedoms...the best line can always win." (31:45–32:06, Jeremy Renner)

  • Fond reflection on the camaraderie among actors.

    “It worked out...I got really great friendships out of the deal...really great value in my life.” (31:24, Jeremy Renner)

H. Music & Passion Projects

• Continuing with Music
  • Reconfirms that music remains his first love, but his focus now is on health, family, and his foundation.

    “Music always been like number one in my life...just prioritized my time right now and it’s with my family and my daughter, in my health and then my foundation.” (35:17–35:31, Jeremy Renner)

---

3. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Moral Complexity:

  "We could do bad behavior, but can still be a good person. Right. These are all just very human sorts of traits and behaviors." (04:07, Jeremy Renner)

• On Surviving Trauma:

  “My legs are all twisted up. You know, it's pretty, it's gnarly, right? I'm like 25% titanium in my body. But if that's the worst of it, like...that's all you got?” (20:48, Jeremy Renner)

• On What Matters Most:

  “I only focus on shared experiences with love and people I care about. And nothing else really matters outside that.” (14:34, Jeremy Renner)

• On Cancel Culture:

  “When did, like, you know, public opinion become more valuable than the actual truth or real, you know, anything on any situation?” (34:00, Jeremy Renner)

• On Returning After the Accident:

  “They said I wouldn't [walk again]....I'm doing better than I thought I would, but I wanted to kind of get back in the world and start working again.” (21:59, Jeremy Renner)

---

4. Timestamps for Important Segments

• Mayor of Kingstown S4 Preview: 03:18–04:46
• Portraying Moral Complexity: 04:46–06:02
• On the Value of Compassion: 08:41–09:46
• Snowplow Accident Story: 10:53–14:34
• Spiritual Revelations: 23:42–25:01
• Marvel & Salary Rumors: 26:16–27:20
• Fan Interactions & App: 27:45–30:03
• Improvised Marvel Lines: 31:32–32:23
• Marvel & Public Allegations: 33:02–35:08
• On Music Passion: 35:17–35:49

---

5. Summary Tone & Notable Takeaways

Jeremy Renner’s appearance is marked by humility, self-effacing humor, and a persistent focus on deeper human values—compassion, family, and self-awareness. He is pragmatic yet philosophical about fame, trauma, and the burden of public perception. His journey—from action hero to survivor—gives a natural, raw weight to his reflections, making this a standout, inspiring listen for fans and newcomers alike.

---

Listen to this episode for:

• An honest, moving account of trauma and recovery from a Hollywood A-lister
• Insights into juggling blockbuster roles with real life challenges
• Thoughts on fandom, fame, and cultural shifts in media
• Jeremy Renner’s humane perspective on love, service, and self-realization

Season 4 of “Mayor of Kingstown” premieres October 26 on Paramount+.

Transcript

[Ana Ortiz]

This is an I Heart Podcast. What's the first thing you notice when you sip Smart Water? It's that pure, crisp taste. No matter what you're doing or where you're headed, Smart Water just tastes and feels right. It's a smart way to hydrate and effortlessly fits into your lifestyle. Whether you're in the middle of a busy day or taking five for yourself and with added electrolytes for taste, Smart Water makes every sip refreshing. Smart Water purity you taste, hydration you feel. Visit drinksmartwater.com to learn more.

[Maggie Freeling]

The murder of an 18 year old girl in Graves County, Kentucky went unsolved for years until a local housewife, a journalist and a handful of girls came forward with a story.

[Jeremy Renner]

America, y' all better wake the hell up.

[DJ Envy]

Bad things happens to good people in small towns.

[Maggie Freeling]

Listen to Graves county on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and to binge the entire season ad free. Subscribe to Lava for Good plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Ana Ortiz]

Sami Gente It's Ana Ortiz and I'm Markin Delicato. You might know us as Hilda and Justin from Ugly Betty. Welcome to our new podcast Be My Best. We're re watching from start to finish.

[Jeremy Renner]

And talking to iconic guests like Betty herself, America Ferreira.

[Ana Ortiz]

There was this moment when the glasses went on and it was like this is our Betty. Listen to Viva Betty on the iHeartRadio.

[Jeremy Renner]

App, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ana Ortiz]

Short on time, but big on true crime. On a recent episode of the podcast Hunting for Answers, I highlighted the story of 19 year old Lachey Dungy. But she never knocked on that door. She never made it inside. And that text message would be the last time anyone would ever hear from her. Listen to Hunting for Answers from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[DJ Envy]

Basketball season is heating up and if you've been waiting for the perfect time to get in on the action, now's your shot. I've teamed up with DraftKings Sportsbook to bring you an offer you don't want to miss. New customers bet 5 bucks and get 3 months of league. Pass on us and get $300 if your bet wins. Paid in bonus bets. Sign up using promo code TBC so don't sit on the sidelines. Download the DraftKingsportsbook app today, use promo code TBC and make this season unforgettable.

[Maggie Freeling]

Hold up.

[Jeremy Renner]

Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The Breakfast Club Y' all finished or y' all done?

[DJ Envy]

Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy. Just hilarious. Charlemagne, the guy we are the Breakfast Club. We got a special guest in the building.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I feel like I know him.

[DJ Envy]

Feel like you know him.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I mean, I know Hawkeye. You know what I'm saying? But I'm just saying, been watching him for, like, the past 20 years. It feels like.

[DJ Envy]

Jeremy Renner, ladies and gentlemen.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Welcome.

[Jeremy Renner]

Hey, how you doing?

[DJ Envy]

How are you feeling, man?

[Jeremy Renner]

Breakfast Club feeling good early in the morning. Very happy, very blessed to be here.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Mayor of Kingstown. Season four is coming.

[Jeremy Renner]

That's right, man. That's been a wonderful job. Yeah, I love it, man. It's pretty exciting. We got to. Especially this far into the series. It's the best season so far because I think just because when you know the characters.

[DJ Envy]

Better than season one.

[Jeremy Renner]

Huh?

[DJ Envy]

You said better than season one.

[Jeremy Renner]

Well, yeah, yeah, yeah. Just because the audience will know all the characters. So now we can take all this. Instead of having a bunch of B and C and D storylines, we can put everybody into the same narrative, so we're all kind of more watching a movie type of vibe, so pretty excited about that. Which is a lot of amazing characters in the show, too. It's pretty diverse.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You. You played everything from blue collar heroes, the conflicted anti heroes. What kind of roles challenge you the most at this stage?

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah, I think, like. Like all those. I think, you know, if you play a bad guy, it's got to be something pretty conflicted. You might, you know, where the audience kind of has a great understanding of why he's a bad guy and a good guy. You know, you have to have things go wrong for you, otherwise, you know, we don't have a story. Right. So I just look for always complicated characters. I think that's whether the. You ride the line of. I think I've even kind of built a career of, like, is he a good guy or a bad guy? You're not quite sure he does where he's both or just like every human being on the planet. There's a lot of good in a lot of us, and then we can do. We could do bad behavior, but can still be a good person. Right. These are all just very human sort of traits and behaviors, so I'm kind of attracted to those.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Is it hard to get out of that space when you dive so deep into, like, those moral gray areas? Especially, like, on a show like Kingston?

[Jeremy Renner]

No. Yeah, there's. There's such, you know, like, when I put that suit on, there's There's a certain. There's just an energy to think same if I suit up for Hawkeye or whatever it might be. There's. It's easy. Once you shed the skin of the. The actual skin, you can really kind of emotionally and psychologically, you know, shed that. You kind of have to. You have to practice that now in.

[DJ Envy]

The May, you can.

[Ana Ortiz]

How do you see your character, Mike, on the show? Do you see him as superhero, anti hero, something in between?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How do you.

[Jeremy Renner]

I don't know. There's. If hero is in there, I think it's. I think there's a moral code to him that's an ethics to him that I'm attracted to, even though it might come with some gray area, moral gray area as well, being, you know, coming from a incarceration. But I think there's something selfless about Mike McCluskey that I'm attracted to. So that does make him more heroic or more good, I think, than bad, even though there are some moral gray areas with him. But I think the intention behind him is always forthright and being selfless.

[DJ Envy]

When you look at how you play the mayor of Kingstowne in this show, and then you look at today's America and some of the things that politics is doing now, how do you compare the same?

[Jeremy Renner]

I think McCluskey's kind of needed, you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Know.

[Jeremy Renner]

We need, I think, someone that can kind of grease the wheels on all sides and all kind of smooth the edges of people. I think, you know, there's a lot of divisiveness that kind of goes on and a lot of things that can divide us. And I think what's important is to unite us all, like in. Just like in. In Mayor Kingstown, in that world of. World of incarceration. You know, there's. There's people waiting for people to get out of the prison. There's people waiting to get out of prison. There's some people that work in the prison and in all. All different levels of incarceration, how. How that world works. I think there has to be some sort of grease to kind of, you know, unite people in all these different perspectives. Like, I mean, it happens all the time in real life with, you know, just the prison guard. Life is a very brutal job or just being incarcerated, that's a very brutal sort of place and space to be. I think that this had a really cool documentary that came out that was shot in the prisons.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, I heard about that.

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Something about that.

[Jeremy Renner]

Such an amazing. I just saw it. I don't know. I Can't remember what it was. I was on Netflix or something.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But was it something about Alabama?

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I was in Birmingham Friday and everybody.

[Jeremy Renner]

Was talking about it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I meant to watch it this week.

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah. But it's sort of like kind of injustices that go on, you know, in incarceration and so anyways, I just think it's like, you know, I think there is a kind of. Kind of great need for that, like the morally gray area guy to come in and be able to listen to everybody. I think kind of that's what sort of politicians should do.

[DJ Envy]

You think we should do that more? I was gonna ask because in mayor of Kingstowne, you deal with the bad guys and the good guys.

[Jeremy Renner]

Correct.

[DJ Envy]

But you are the kind of keeping the peace with that side. And I feel like sometimes with mayors and governors or even. Well, I can't even say president, but mayors and governors seems like they stay away from the bad guys. Like, they just mess with the good guys where they can't make sure there is peace.

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah. You know, I think, like, money just sort of pushes us around and forces our hand. And I know, I think capitalism is sort of like the crushing of humanity for us right now. And, you know, I don't really lead that way. I kind of lead with a more open heart and. But yeah, I think, you know, you know, you're supposed to serve the people, but to serve the people, you have to listen to the people, understand the people. Also the people have to speak out and we have to like, you know, be. Be vocal. And, you know, everybody needs to be witnessed. Right? Everybody needs to be understood.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah.

[Jeremy Renner]

And when we don't feel that way, we get divided. Right. And, you know, I think we need to find ways to. To unite man, because that's. That's what we are. That's how, you know, how we. How we survive. That's how we succeed. It's how we flourish.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know, even if you can't fully understand a person's, you know, story, understand their existence as a human, like, I think the golden rule that we learned as kids just apply that to everything.

[Jeremy Renner]

Right?

[DJ Envy]

Exactly.

[Jeremy Renner]

Third grade playground rules. That's. That's my sort of like religion, if you will. It's like all that third grade playground stuff, it's like, treat people like you want to be treated, like all that stuff. And it's like if we operate from that accord, you know, if it got like, tax breaks for doing those, playing those rules, like, you know, we'd be doing it more often. So, yeah, I think it's important to, you know, at least that's. It's how I like. I think we can all even agree, like that's going to work for all of us.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That would be crazy. Tax breaks based on being kind.

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah. For being kind. For walking someone across the street or attacks. But. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Then you got everybody hugging each other, mowing each other's lawns and.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah, I love that.

[Jeremy Renner]

Right. I mean, that's just called community. That's called humanity. Right. And I think we're in a system that doesn't allow for that to happen, sadly.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How do you humanize a man who operates in a world where power often replaces compassion?

[Jeremy Renner]

I. I think that's what I lean on. The things, I think the family part aspect of him. I think I lean all the things that, that do make him to have that fortitude for. Like McCluskey has like a strong family ties. Right. His half. His family's in cops. But he was incarcerated. But he was. But we didn't go too much into the backstory that. But he's incarcerated and didn't do the things. He was kind of like the scapegoat for why he was incarcerated. But at any rate, he. There's a code, right. There's a moral code that I think is kind of inspiring. It inspires me. So I really just focus on the things that, that make him good. That the righteousness of him is about the righteousness of others and not about. It's selfless. Right. It's not about him serving himself. And I really like that about the character. I think there's something, you know, if it's anti hero or heroic about him, it's that selflessness. And I think that's a great message to send.

[DJ Envy]

Absolutely. Now, I wanted to go back a little bit a couple of years ago.

[Jeremy Renner]

Right.

[DJ Envy]

I remember you were all over the news in 2023. A 14,000 pound snowplow ran you over. You were saving your nephew. They say that, you know, they had to revive you. They said that you were even upset that they revived you because it was like, it was. So break that down. What happened? Please tell us.

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah, yeah, that was an incident that happened in my driveway on New Year's Day. And yeah, it's a lot. You know, I had to spend a lot of time writing a book about it even. So there's a lot of healing that goes on in that. But yeah, it's like, you know, near death experience essentially. And there's an incident that. That transpired that, I mean, I have like zero regrets about it. I'd do it again for the same instance would happen. Maybe I'd go about it a little bit differently.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But you saved your nephew, right?

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah, my nephew, yeah. He's at risk. He's gonna get ran over by the machine. So I tried to jump back on. I got knocked off of this tank, like machine and tried to jump back on it. And it has like these tank tracks and it's. You can't. It's a stupid thing ultimately really to do. But, you know, what else are you going to do? I'm not going to sit there and watch him get crushed. So I try to jump onto the machine to stop it and then I got crushed instead.

[DJ Envy]

And.

[Jeremy Renner]

But at any rate, you know, we know the end of the story. I'm here and flourishing and happy and I learned so many great things and gifts that came from, from dying and coming back, you know, if you could.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So you actually died?

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Did you see heaven or did you.

[Jeremy Renner]

Well, I don't know if we call it heaven, but I guess, you know, a version of it is. It's pretty, pretty amazing. What was really strange though about it all, it's like I have very specific sort of feelings about it privately. And then there's this doctor I talked to that and I talked with on this Oprah, on the Oprah show that she has. And this guy, all he does is deal with near death experiences. And then he spoke about sort of the general sort of ideas of things that, that people experience over the 40 years he's been studying it. And by the time they got to me to ask me questions, I had nothing to say. The guy only said word for word what I wrote in the book about my personal experience. And it ends up being really common with everybody that has a near death experience. So it's not that I didn't feel special or anything. I just felt like it's actually felt more concrete resolved about what does happen when you pass or when you almost pass or. I mean, I certainly went away for a minute or I don't know how much time, it doesn't matter, but it's a pretty, pretty interesting experience. And then to know that I wasn't alone in. In it, that it wasn't just sort of my, you know, one time shot at it. It was that it's. There's something really concrete about it and it's beautiful and it's. It's ultimately in the short of it, I think just about love. And it's the only thing sort of you take with you because like, like hate, right? Very, very powerful, powerful human emotion. It could run a country on it. Love sadly can't, even though it's pretty powerful human emotion, right? But it, hate only exists on the, on the tails of love because hate burns out, burns hot and fast and then it dies. You can't hate forever, but you can love forever in his perpetuity. And that's something you can't take with you. And, and it's a, it's a beautiful, you know, it's how I kind of continue on as I walk through the day and breathe through the day and feel blessed and honored to be here. But I only focus on shared experiences with love and people I care about. And nothing else really matters outside that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How did you, how did your nephew appreciate you saving his life?

[Jeremy Renner]

Oh yeah. Well, the depths of. We've already. I have a very, very close family and my friendships I have for a very long time and also very close. All those just deepened immensely. It's it. You kind of, you can't even those Etch A sketches right. It's kind of like, you know, the.

[Ana Ortiz]

First thing you notice about Smart Water. The pure, crisp taste. Every sip feels like a reset. Whether you're racing through the airport, getting ready for a night out, or just claiming a moment of peace on a couch. Smart Water is vapor distilled with electrolytes added for taste. A smart way to keep hydrated no matter where life takes you. Morning commute, brunch with friends, errand run is there for all of it. Pure, crisp and refreshingly simple. And let's be honest, Smart Water is as easy on the eyes as it is on the taste buds. That sleek bottle, it matches that new bag you just got, like they were meant to be together. Wherever you're headed, Smart Water fits right in, keeping you refreshed, confident and just a little more. Well, smart, Smart Water. Purity you taste, hydration you feel. Visit drinksmartwater.com to learn more.

[Maggie Freeling]

Life's messy. We're talking spills, stains, pets and kids. But with Anibe, you never have to stress about messes again. At washablesofas.com, discover Anibe Sofas, the only fully machine washable sofas inside and out, starting at just $699. Made with liquid and stain resistant fabrics, that means fewer stains and more peace of mind. Designed for real life, our sofas feature changeable fabric covers, allowing you to refresh your style anytime. Need flexibility? Our modular design lets you rearrange your sofa effortlessly perfect for cozy apartments or spacious homes. Plus, they're earth friendly and built to last. That's why over 200,000 happy customers have made the switch. Upgrade your space today. Visit washablesofas.com now and bring home a sofa made for life. That's washablesofas.com offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Jeremy Renner]

All I know is what I've been told and that to have truth is.

[Maggie Freeling]

A whole lie for almost a decade Decade the murder of an 18 year old girl from a small town in Graves County, Kentucky went unsolved until a local homemaker, a journalist and a handful of girls came forward with a story.

[Ana Ortiz]

I'm telling you, we know Quincy killed her.

[Maggie Freeling]

We know a story that law enforcement used to convict six people and that got the citizen investigator on national tv.

[Jeremy Renner]

Through sheer persistence and nerve, this Kentucky housewife helped give justice to Jessica Curran.

[Maggie Freeling]

My name is Maggie Freeling. I'm a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist producer and I wouldn't be here if the truth were that easy to find.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I did not know her and I did not kill her or rape or.

[Jeremy Renner]

Burn or any of that other stuff.

[Ana Ortiz]

That y' all said. They literally made me say that I took a match and struck and threw it on her. They made me say that I poured gas on her.

[Maggie Freeling]

From Lava For Good. This is Graves County, a show about just how far our legal system will go in order to find someone to blame.

[Jeremy Renner]

America, y' all better wake the hell up.

[DJ Envy]

Bad things happens to good people and small towns.

[Maggie Freeling]

Listen to Graves county in the Bone Valley feed on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and to binge the entire season ad free. Subscribe to Lava For Good plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Ana Ortiz]

Damie Gente It's Ana Ortiz and I'm Mark and Delicato. You might know us as Hilda and Justin from Ugly Betty. We played mother and son on the show, but in real life we're best.

[Jeremy Renner]

Friends and I'm all grown up now.

[Ana Ortiz]

Welcome to our new podcast, Be by Bethy.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yay.

[Jeremy Renner]

Woo hoo.

[Ana Ortiz]

Can you believe it has been almost 20 years? I that's not even possible. Well, you're the only one that looks that much different. I look exactly the same. We're rewatching the series from start to finish and getting into all the fashions, the drama, and the behind the scenes moments that you've never heard before.

[Jeremy Renner]

You're going to hear from guests like.

[Ana Ortiz]

America Ferreira, Vanessa Williams, Michael Urie, Becky.

[Jeremy Renner]

Newton, Tony Plana, and so Many more.

[Ana Ortiz]

Icons, each and every one. All of a sudden like someone like comes running up to me and it's Salma Hayek. And she's like, you are my Ugly Betty. And I was like, what is she even talking about? Listen to Viva Betty as part of the My Cultura podcast network, available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Jeremy Renner]

In the exosketch. And everything's kind of cleared away and just, it's more focused and purposeful and intended with everything that we do, everything that we do, every thought that we have, every dream or belief, it starts, it starts kind of fresh with, you know. Yeah, it's pretty good. It's pretty, pretty dang good. I tell you what, have you asked.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Have you asked them to do something simple? And he kind of like hesitate. Like I don't feel like.

[Jeremy Renner]

No, I don't. I think he's, I think he's been pretty good. Yeah, everybody y' all took they. Look, I, I've taken care of him and he's definitely taking care of me. Like my sister, it's her birthday today and I was just speaking to her. She's on her honeymoon in, in Italy. And yeah, she, she's, you know, like she was very instrumental in me and during the accident and you know, being strong headed and strong willed about, you know, all this stuff to, to get me better. But yeah, my, yeah, my family is. Yeah, we all say yes to each. I don't think we're saying no to each other.

[DJ Envy]

But you're not scared of death at all?

[Jeremy Renner]

No way. I mean, I wasn't really scared before, but like it was really bad guys it would be. It sucked. And I saw my eyeball with my other eyeball. My legs are all twisted up. You know, it's pretty, it's gnarly, right? I'm like 25% titanium in my body. But so, but if I did. That's the worst. That's the worst. But if that's the worst of it, like this is all you got. This, like this is like probably can't get much worse. Maybe if I. You lit me on fire. Maybe. But your body already kind of shuts down and its nerve endings and when you have that much kind of trauma going on, so you're only kind of feeling X amount of pain. Your, your, your brain, the pain center can only take certain amount of information. Otherwise it kind of overloads. And that's what happened. It was just all overloaded. So I just felt like, you know, it Was terrible. But mostly it was like a cramp and I couldn't breathe. I felt like I was suffocating. That was it. I mean, I'm trying to. I'm oversimplifying it, but, you know, so.

[Ana Ortiz]

Yeah, you definitely are. Because from there to. You go from that and then you shoot second season of Mayor of Kingston.

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah, yeah, some of those. That was. That was pretty fast. Pretty fast, you know, from me from almost a year to date to go into season three to. To shoot season three.

[DJ Envy]

I'm sorry.

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah, yeah, that's. It's. It was. You know, I was. I was. It was doing pretty well. I was moving around. I was doing really well. And I wanted to get kind of back out into the world. I was always wanting to kind of get back out into the world, to kind of push away, like, okay, I'm walking again. They said I wouldn't. I'm doing. I'm doing better than I. Than I thought I would, but I wanted to kind of get back in the world and start working again. And it was a little early on because my energy levels were pretty low. But anyway, getting back to work was important to me, even though I really struggled, which I found strange, but then not so strange because obviously Mary Kingston is fictional even. It's based on a lot of truths, but I'm still saying lines. I'm still playing a character that's. I have to live in reality, in real life. Real, real non fiction just exists through my day. Right. I have to breathe, I have to walk, use a lot of energy to walk. Right. And do all these things right at this time. So I've. I felt. It felt really weird to go play make believe when I have to really live in reality. Sorry. I have to live in real reality. Right. So like, it's no joke. So it was. I found that to be a little tricky in the beginning, but then once I got. It was really more. Also my blood work was really bad. My hemoglobin, if you know anything about that, is a two. It was like the kind of the blood of a dead man. So I had no energy. I had no, like my mitochondria. Everything was all messed up. So once I got that corrected and did some hormone replacement, all these other different things, I got more energy and then I really started to flourish more through. And then playing make believe was a little bit more palatable, I suppose.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How were you spiritually before the accident? Did you believe in God?

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I'm. I'm certainly godly, but I. But I. My dad is a theologist, so I studied every religion growing up. So I don't really subscribe to any particular type of organized religion, but I definitely of. I'm a godly sort of spiritual guide. So none of that's ultimately changed outside. I still believe in something that's like. I don't know what brought me back. Like, I wasn't. When I died, I didn't want to come back.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I heard that.

[Jeremy Renner]

But something brought me back, something outside of it. I don't know what it was.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So there was nobody there on the other side? Like, no, not your time, Jeremy.

[Jeremy Renner]

No, no. If it's. It's anyone, it's. There's no time, place in space, so it's everyone. All things all at once. You know, I saw me the same age as I was with my dad or my mom or anybody. You're just all at once. It's all happening at once. And it's magnificent and peaceful and quiet, but so there's nothing that, like. Like ripped me back or a thing. I just remember coming more back into consciousness and I saw my eyeball in the ice. I'm like, oh, I'm back in this body. I'm like, I was just doing so good. So good. But then I'm like, all right, here we go. We got to overcome these obstacles and start breathing again. And, you know, and thank God, you know, that I was, you know, pulled back, even though I didn't want to be.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Did it make you appreciate God even more when you came back?

[Jeremy Renner]

I don't know if more. I think I, I, I. Look, I. I don't know if it's about appreciating God more. I think it's about a. I think I appreciate, like, like, love more or. Or I really just wiped away all the white noise of nonsense that I gave credence to. There's so many things that, you know, I gave value to that doesn't really have any value. And I continue down that path, whether that's a path of God or not. It's just like, I just only do things that are very purposeful and very intended. I don't do anything otherwise. I don't do anything kind of. I don't think with my one toe. It's either all in or not. Everything I do is with great, great purpose and great clarity. And there's a free. It's very freeing, right, when we allow ourselves to not get our own way, not to just be just so focused on what we really want and what we really want and like, what really has value and, you know, they go to the nth degree, right, to. To learn that. I mean, it's partially why I was kind of writing a book about it. If anybody else could grab on to some of the blessings, because I got so many great gifts and blessings from being tested to my limits and, and squeezing all the crap out of me.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I suppose, you know, the book is my next breath. Is it true that Marvel reportedly cut your salary in half because of the snowplow incident?

[Jeremy Renner]

Not because of a snowplow. No, it's just because, you know, if they want to do season two and they're just offer offered half the amount to do season two, I'm like, yeah, of course I'd love to do it, but it's going to take a lot of physical work to, to get back into it, so. And also just the timing, because it would take a little bit more time for me to physically do the role. And maybe I just wasn't ready last year. It's like, maybe it's, it's. It'll happen, you know, in the, in a year or two to come, you know, but because I was still in recovery right now, it will be for. For the rest of my life. But I'm just getting stronger every day, you know.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Are you playing Doomsday in Secret wars and all that?

[Jeremy Renner]

No. Damn, no.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Are you afraid because, you know, it's a multiverse now. They can just bring another Hawkeye from another dimension.

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah, there you go. If they want to do that, they can go ahead. By all means, you can do that. I got, I got. I'm pretty busy myself.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah, I was gonna say, was it difficult getting back?

[Jeremy Renner]

Right.

[DJ Envy]

And the reason I'm asking is your fans. A lot of times fans don't care what you're going through. Right. You just said all the stuff that you're going through with hemoglobin and your blood and your eye on the table, most people don't see that it was.

[Ana Ortiz]

Not on the table.

[DJ Envy]

I'm sorry. But, you know, how do you deal with fans with that? Because they still want their celebrity, they still want their hero. They still want that time, that talk time. How did you deal with that?

[Jeremy Renner]

Well, it's the strange thing about that. Cause most, most of my relationship with fans, or just people in general across the planet is really shifted from a guy that, that slung arrows to, like, a guy that overcame some real human obstacles. So it's, it's less selfies. I still take selfies. There's still, like, you know, signing you know, bobbleheads and all this stuff. Right. But there's. There's a greater awareness to, like, you know, I'll get. People just walk by me and be like, glad you're with us, man. Good on you for overcoming that thing. Like, you're a good man. Whatever the heck it is. It's something really connective and really human exchange that I get with people, whether fans are not or. But it's less sort of like, I just. Because selfies are kind of like, you know, vampire ish kind of activity. It's like, do you want to take something now? It's people who are more giving, typically. But there's still. I mean, I spent. As soon as I land here, I'm signing stuff and. But I don't. I don't take offense to that stuff. I don't think they're forgetting about things because actually one gal gave me this beautiful, like this. They do this pencil, like, really fine dot thing. It's a drawing of like, it's of my face. I'm like, oh, my gosh, it's so beautiful. How much time did that Takes, like, you know, a week or whatever. Anyway. And I just think that, you know, there's. I find that the people have been more thoughtful and kind. You know, it's not everyone, but, you know, I just think generally there's been a great shift and it's not so much about. As so much about the fandom of things. You know, there's a real truth.

[Ana Ortiz]

You love your fans because you even created an app, right. Where your fans can, like, interact with you.

[Jeremy Renner]

Oh, that was. Yeah, I did that back in the day when. Because I wasn't not a big social media fan because there's so many people on it. So I was trying to just to have. If I was going to communicate, let me do it with real fans, not just people that are bots or whoever the heck's up on social media. I don't trust any of that stuff. So, yeah, I did that like, for maybe like a year or so. And it was fun to actually, to really engage because you know who your audience is, because it was a very specific audience. But it ended up taking too much time, so I just couldn't continue it. I had to be a dad, too, and all these other things. Right. So I got you.

[Ana Ortiz]

But I bet your fans love that.

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah. For the time I had it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

When you first joined the Marvel Universe, did you imagine it would become such a defining part of your career? I'm sure you get yelled at. People Yell Hawkeye at you every day.

[Jeremy Renner]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm glad. I really went down the road. Road with it. But no one ever expected it. Even, like, the Marvel people were, like, kind of taken aback by it all. And. But as it. But it happened pretty quickly from Iron man and then into. Into the first Avengers, essentially moved pretty quick. And what a great. You know, I don't know what. To be 13, 14 years into it and still kind of in the ring, still fighting, still throwing punches and taking punches. It's. It's a. It's a fun, fun, fun world. And, you know, the friendships that were. I mean, it started off, like, so bizarre. Some of us knew each other before we started filming the Avengers, but there's, like, Hemsworth, we didn't know, and a few other people and. But it's strange. It's like a Halloween costume. We're all, like, wearing these bizarre outfits and these props, foam hammer and all these weird things. And we were like, what do we do? We're all like, what are we doing? Like, I don't know. Let's just, you know, at least we're doing it together. And it worked out, you know, pretty great, right? It ended up being like, I got really great friendships out of the deal that have, you know, really great value in my life. You know, been through a lot of marriages, divorces and kids and all these great things, you know.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How quick was the script? Because I always think about this one line, right? It was an end game, and it was when y' all was arguing about after Natalie, Natalia died.

[DJ Envy]

Natalie.

[Jeremy Renner]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And you say, maybe you want to go talk to him. Okay, go grab your hammer and you go fly and talk to him. I'm like, it just sounded off in the script. I don't know why.

[Jeremy Renner]

It's practically made that one up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You did?

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah.

[Ana Ortiz]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

There's no way somebody wrote that.

[Ana Ortiz]

You were writing me.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

They told you to improvise in that moment.

[Jeremy Renner]

Well, yeah, they. You know, with the Rooster Brothers on that one, where you have certain freedoms to, you know, look, it's not about, you know, the best line can always win and. But that's not a comedic one.

[DJ Envy]

Usually.

[Jeremy Renner]

It's about comedy stuff. Well, if we throw in something that's very character y, it's like, it's. It's never. It's. You can be loose with some things. It depends on the, you know, you never want to mess with the obvious storylines and things like that, and things have to always be truthful. So. But that was, like, a very Heated, sort of, you know, kind of. Kind of human.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You're grieving.

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah. Yeah. And a lot of us are in a. It's, you know, with the whole D. Chuck something across the lake, and I think everyone's got their own feelings, but. Yeah. And also, like, you know, Hawkeye doesn't have any superpowers. Not like, really like a superhero. He is, but he's, you know, very. He's like a. He's like the dad of. Of the Marvel universe in a lot of ways, you know, so, you know, he.

[DJ Envy]

And.

[Jeremy Renner]

And that line is just something very sort of, kind of pragmatic of like, yeah, you can go fly around with your superpower, Super Fabio, you know, whatever thing. Right. It's just something, you know, truthful as you. You can be, you know.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah.

[Jeremy Renner]

They look. They wouldn't put it in if it wasn't truthful, so.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah. I want to ask you something in regards to Marvel. You know, you had your. You have some controversies, you know, allegations your ex wife made about you, but why did Marvel stick with you but was quick to discard somebody like Jonathan Majors?

[Jeremy Renner]

I don't know. I don't know. I don't know if there's. What's the difference between, you know, gossip and then events, between anything else. I don't know enough about Jonathan and his situation to. To know. I know they had big plans for that character, that's for sure. So whatever transpired. Yeah, that's. I mean, that sucks. I think if due diligence, I think, really has to be played out. So I don't. I don't know enough information to know.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah. I mean, it just doesn't seem fair and how it happened. I mean, I didn't. Y' all situations have nothing to do with each other, but I'm just talking about the overall, you know, arch of art of Marvel.

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah. Yeah. Well, that I think. I think there's a bigger. Bigger kind of scope to that, to, you know, like, you know, the idea of public opinion becoming part of, like, a court process or something like that. It's like we'll have a law and all that, you know, like, when did, like, you know, public opinion become more valuable than the actual truth or real, you know, anything on any situation. And we've had that for a while, ever since the. With media and social media and all that sort of stuff, sort of connectivity and, you know, I think it'd be. I think it's kind of dangerous, if you ask me. You know, I agree. I think it's pretty dangerous. Like all that, all the cancer culture and all that sort of stuff, it's like, wow, man. That just makes me want to run and hide from like. And why, why put yourself out there and do anything for anybody at all? You know, it's like, it's really kind of.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Anybody can say anything.

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah, yeah, then they can. And that's exactly so silly.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Like, and don't get me wrong, I'm glad Marvel didn't. Right. I'm glad Marvel saw allegations for what they was and stuck by you. I just wonder why they didn't extend that same grace to somebody like Jonathan. You see him on video running away from a situation.

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't know. I do not know.

[Ana Ortiz]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

Well, we appreciate you for joining us. Season 4 Mayor of Kingstown Sings Are.

[Ana Ortiz]

You still doing music?

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah, I still do music. Music always been like number one in my life.

[DJ Envy]

What type of music? Pop, country?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Rap?

[DJ Envy]

What are you talking about?

[Ana Ortiz]

He does not rap, yo.

[Jeremy Renner]

No, I don't rap. Yeah.

[Ana Ortiz]

So you still are making music because it is your passion.

[Jeremy Renner]

Yeah, yeah, still. I still, yeah, still do music. Just haven't had the time. I've been kind of since the incident I've had. I just prioritized my time right now and it's with my family and my daughter, in my health and then my foundation.

[Ana Ortiz]

Yeah, okay.

[Jeremy Renner]

All right.

[DJ Envy]

Well, there you have it. Jeremy Renner, ladies and gentlemen. Make sure you check out season four, Mayor of Kingstowne premieres on the 26th on Paramount plus and it's the Breakfast Club. Good morning.

[Jeremy Renner]

Every day I wake up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Wake your ass up.

[Maggie Freeling]

The murder of an 18 year old girl in Graves County, Kentucky went unsolved for years until a local housewife, a journalist and a handful of girls came forward with a story.

[Jeremy Renner]

America, y' all better wake the hell up.

[DJ Envy]

Bad things happens to good people and small towns.

[Maggie Freeling]

Listen to Graves county on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and to binge the entire season ad free. Subscribe to Lava for Good plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Ana Ortiz]

It'S Ana Ortiz and I'm Markin Delicato. You might know us as Hilda and Justin from Ugly Betty. Welcome to our new podcast, Viva Betty. We're re watching the series from start.

[Jeremy Renner]

To finish and talk talking to iconic guests like Betty herself, America Ferreira.

[Ana Ortiz]

There was this moment when the glasses went on and it was like, this is our Betty. Listen to Viva Betty on the iHeartRadio.

[Jeremy Renner]

App, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ana Ortiz]

Short on time, but big on true crime. On a recent episode of the podcast Hunting for Answers, I highlighted the story of 19 year old Lachey Dungy. But she never knocked on that door. She never made it inside, and that text message would be the last time anyone would ever hear from her. Listen to Hunting for Answers from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jeremy Renner]

The Rich Russians Falling out of Windows podcast is back.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Sad Oligarch Season 2 Since we left.

[Jeremy Renner]

You in 20243 after season 1, many.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Politically motivated Russian millionaires have continued to die in suspicious circumstances.

[Jeremy Renner]

Season two gets very weird. Listen to Sad Oligarch on the iHeartRadio.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ana Ortiz]

This is an iHeart podcast.