Jack Black’s career has surged in recent years with roles in major films like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, its sequel The Next Level, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and the viral hit A Minecraft Movie. However, over a decade before these successes, he nearly lost his life performing a risky stunt in the 2008 satirical war comedy Tropic Thunder. This Jack Black near-death stunt marks its 17th anniversary this week and the film is now available to stream for free.
Directed by and starring Ben Stiller, Tropic Thunder revolves around a group of actors making a Vietnam War movie who find themselves unexpectedly in a real jungle and facing genuine danger. In one memorable and perilous scene, Jack Black rides on the back of a water buffalo while Robert Downey Jr.’s character attempts to raid a drug gang’s camp. Although appearing less intense than Tom Cruise’s famous stunts, this scene nearly ended Black’s life. The full film and this scene are currently accessible for streaming at no cost on Tubi.
How the Risky Buffalo Scene Unfolded
During the filming of that water buffalo scene, Jack Black reportedly felt uneasy as the animal showed signs of distress early on. Midway through the shot, the water buffalo violently bucked, launching Black into the air. He was thrown so forcefully that he flipped and landed narrowly between two large rocks with only minor injuries. This shocking incident could have been fatal, had he not missed the rocks by mere inches. Months after the shoot, Black found out the water buffalo was pregnant at the time, which likely caused its agitation and unpredictable behavior.
Jack Black’s Sudden Departure from the Film Set
Recalling the frightening moment during an appearance on the podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Jack Black shared how the stunt went awry and his reaction afterward. He quoted Ben Stiller’s off-camera instructions:
“Ben [Stiler], I could hear him off in the distance say, ‘What’s going on?… Jack, take it from the top, we didn’t get any of that,’”
—Jack Black, actor
Black responded with frustration:
“I was like, ‘No! You take it from the top. You get on this f*cking buffalo!’”
—Jack Black, actor
Immediately after the mishap, Jack Black left the set, shaken and unwilling to continue, saying,
“I stormed off to my trailer, just because I was shaking and not in any mood to be in the movie anymore.”
—Jack Black, actor
Fortunately, Black returned to finish filming, helping complete what became one of the most acclaimed comedies of the early 21st century.
What This Incident Means for Jack Black’s Career and Fans
This near-death stunt serves as a stark reminder that even comedic actors like Jack Black sometimes face real dangers during film production. Unlike actors such as Tom Cruise, who routinely undertake extreme stunts, Black’s focus has mostly been on comedy, making this event stand out as an anxious and tense moment in his career. The fact that the water buffalo incident occurred during Tropic Thunder adds an extra layer of intensity to a movie already filled with on-screen chaos and danger.
As Tropic Thunder celebrates its 17th anniversary, streaming freely on Tubi, new audiences can witness first-hand the risks behind the laughs. For Jack Black, surviving this close call enabled continued contributions to cinema and cult favorite roles, firmly establishing him as a versatile actor. Fans and observers alike can appreciate the blend of tension and humor captured both on and off the screen in this film, underscoring the unpredictable nature of filmmaking.
