Breaking News
Stars React to Alec Baldwin Fatally Shooting Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins & Injuring Director, Joel Souza, In Prop Gun Mishap On Set of ‘Rust’
UPDATED: Over the last 24 hours, the entertainment world has been stunned, by the horrific incident that took place on the set of the western drama Rust, while it was shooting scenes in New Mexico.
What is known is that Alec Baldwin (Ex-The Doctors, Knots Landing) discharged a prop gun that killed Director of Photography, Halyna Hutchins and injured director, Joel Souza. The film also stars Frances Fisher (Ex-Edge of Night) and Jensen Ackles (Ex-Days of our Lives). Baldwin is also a producer on the film.
Photo: Getty
According to Variety, the prop gun contained a “live single round,” according to an email sent by IATSE Local 44 to its membership.
On Friday, Alec Baldwin made a statement via Twitter on his Hilaria and Alec Baldwin Foundation Twitter feed, expressing: “There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours. I’m fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred and am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family. My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna.”
Yesterday, The Sante Fe Sheriff’s Departments originally shared that “Hutchins, 42, and Souza, 48 were shot when a prop firearm was discharged by Alec Baldwin. Ms. Hutchins was transported, via helicopter, to University of New Mexico Hospital where she was pronounced dead by medical personnel. Mr. Souza was transported by ambulance to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical center where he was undergoing treatment for his injuries. This investigation remains open and active. No charges have been filed in regard to this incident. Witnesses continue to be interviewed by detectives.”
This morning, Frances Fisher revealed in a twitter conversation with Patricia Arquette, that director Joel Souza had been released from the hospital. Meanwhile, photographs of a distraught Baldwin emerged following the shooting.
Photo: New Mexican
The news of the Baldwin prop gun incident, isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Jon-Erik Hexum was killed on October 18, 1984, on the set of the TV show Cover Up when he accidentally shot himself in the head with a gun loaded with blanks. Then, in 1993, Brandon Lee, the son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, died from a prop gun accident on the set of The Crow by a cast member.
As the news made its way through the entertainment community and mainstream news, several soap stars shared their reactions to the fatal shooting accident.
General Hospital’s Jon Lindstrom (Kevin/Ryan) expressed: “Feeling so sad for everyone involved in the tragedy on the #RustMovie set. I do know the film was staffed with experienced, thoughtful professionals. Please, let’s wait until we have the facts. Nothing positive will come from passing judgement or casting aspersions before then.”
General Hospital and Dynasty’s Emma Samms (Holly, Fallon) shared on her friend Jon-Erik Hexum’s death: This AWFUL tragedy on #Rust is unfathomable to me. If all on-set protocols were being adhered to, how, on earth, could it have happened? After what happened to Brandon Lee and my dear friend Jon-Erik Hexam, the firearm protocols became incredibly strict. I was told (when I was with him at the hospital afterwards) that Jon-Erik had been working with a completely empty gun all morning. A blank (still very dangerous) was loaded and then immediately there was a delay. Exhausted, he was allowed to fall asleep – loaded gun in hand. hey woke him, but there was immediately another delay. Jon-Erik put the gun to his head, forgetting it now contained a blank, (because he had just woken up) and jokingly pulled the trigger. He was not the kind of person to play around with a loaded gun. #fortherecord”
We will continue to post reactions and update this story.
What are your thoughts on the fatal shooting on the set of Rust? Comment below. How can this not happen again, so everyone is safe in this working environment when ‘dangerous’ props are called for or used to make a movie or a TV show?
I’m sure Alec will blame this on Trump to!
As much as I would like to come down on AB I will not I will pray for him and what he is going thru maybe just maybe he will understand the tragedy of making a wrong decision !! Our country is broken I choose to get on my knees and pray !! Please do not attack just pray for our nation as we are indeed lost ! God bless America !!!
This year I have went thru breast cancer loosing my sister to alzheimers etc so we are tough we will survive
Alec is a mean person. He treats “Little People” like complete crap! Look at the way he treated his own daughter, calling her a pig. He disgusts me. BUT, I dont wish anything bad on ANYONE! God has a way of humbling all of us! Whether we heed his message and right our wrongs, its up to us. I’m sure Alec feels horrible killing someone and hopefully that will humble this troubled soul. As for you and your sister, I am sorry you had to go through this and loose your sister. it is sad. I understand why you would have compassion and forgiveness in your heart. Bless you Kay.
I suppose the obvious question here is…. why the Hell doesn’t somebody check these “prop” guns to make sure there are no live rounds in the chamber?
If they can’t find somebody competent to do that, then maybe they should only buy new guns which have never been loaded. Or just use fake guns and dub in the appropriate sound effects later?
I’m a Devil, not a firearms expert, but this doesn’t seem all that complicated to me.
A tragedy on every level. Unthinkable and more proof that life can change or end in the blink of an eye. Horribly sad.
One person was killed and one person injured. A cloud of secrecy will naturally attract all types of speculation. Was he playing around with the prop? Was the live round intentionally placed in the gun? Was a scene being discussed/rehearsed? How did two people get shot? Was the gun inspected first? Until more details come out this is quite sketchy to say the least. I can’t stand Alec Baldwin and even i’m still shocked. Time will tell. Or will it?
Prayers for them all. Very sad.
Carrie & All…Prayers are where the attention should be first. Then the speculations as to how it happened ca follow. So many avoidable deaths and injuries come down to guns, any type, even a prop. Awful “invention” that’s only reason to be is to kill.
What in the world was live amunition doing on a movie set? Seriously, am I asking a stupid or naive question? I don’t know anything about props but to what advantage would having real, live bullet there?
Finally, someone asks the right question. Violet, there’s culpability here, no doubt. But the truth will get buried to avoid harming the project even more. Imagine living with this guilt… I’d be in a bad place right now if I were Baldwin, the prop people, and anyone else who’s been irresponsible.
It boggles my mind the way some people can consider Alec Baldwin a “mean person” who “treats ‘Little People’ like complete crap” and yet not see that in a certain former president whose evident joie de vivre was (as president) and is (as ex-president) treating people “like complete crap.” Tweeting (or otherwise lodging) insults, even to the dearly departed (John McCain, Colin Powell), is/was a full-time job for this disgusting excuse for a human being. Kids in cages anyone? The list of his transgressions (criminal and unethical) goes on and on. There has never been such a criminal, amoral, inept, destructive, contemptible public office holder, let alone president.
Granted, the current president has quite a few challenges on his plate, some of which were inherited (e.g., horrific response by his predecessor to COVID, which has adversely affected the economy; continued refusal by office holders and citizens to follow the science and get the COVID vaccinations), some of which were inherited but poorly managed (Afghanistan), and some of which were created by the disarray of the Democrats (Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, I am talking to you). BUT Biden is a good man, he is working hard to make things better, and his personality and management style are nothing like that of his predecessor who lived to create chaos.
I also admire posters here who are willing to acknowledge that Baldwin “feels horrible killing someone and hopefully that will humble this troubled soul” and those who are exuding a prayerful tone (“I will pray for him and what he is going thru”). When even those who do not like you can feel empathy for what you are going through, that is a breakthrough in our humanity. We need more of such grace…
Yes, Jamesj75, I share your feelings. It’s funny how people rationalize the behavior of some and are willing to “cancel” anyone else who rubs them the wrong way. I’m a decades-long fan of Woody Allen but now I have to watch who I mention his films to. No one will even consider both sides of a story once they’ve made up their minds. I’m no fan of Alec Baldwin but that doesn’t affect my empathy for him and this tragic situation. There always has to be someone to blame so that people have a place to focus their feelings, positive or (usually) negative. It may be a “human” response but maybe it’s time to rise above mere basic instincts. You said it well… grace is what we need infinitely more of.
Soaphound, great to see your response and your concurrence. You make further great points. The current situation is so tragic. Empathy is really not that hard to do. Breaking up is hard to do… 🙂 Take care, Friend.
Very well said, James! I agree 100%.
Dan, thank you for your comment and for making my day! Best to you, Friend.
Jamesj75; I’m trying this comment again. Something got screwed up in my edits and after several attempts I have no idea if it will get through, and if it does what it’ll look like, lol. I edited and each time I checked the edits weren’t there, then I deleted, added. It may look like a word puzzle if it get through so here’s a new attempt:
Jamesj75: I see we think the same of the former guy; and you put your feelings about him in the most mild terms possible. Believe me. What I would say would take a book of infinite pages. And it does “boggle” the mind how someone can fixate on an actor but somehow support, excuse, ignore, condone, or agree with the constant barrage of nasty insanity from the former guy. By the way, did you read what he wrote after Colin Powell passed? It was insane; like a rogue, psychotic teen decided to pen a malicious thought. Mental illness in motion.
As an aside, the same person on this site who wrote that Alec Baldwin is a “mean person…” is the same who wrote to “humble his troubled soul.” Read that paragraph again. There were no good wishes or empathy in it. That was a dig. This same person’s first reply was “I’m sure Alec will blame Trump for this, to(o).” No change there; die-hard cult member. He hates Baldwin because Baldwin hates Trump.
I rue the day The Apprentice took the stage. What a horrific chain of events and twisted thinking he culled that are still happening. I don’t think I’ll ever look at people the same; he’s brought to the surface a viciousness that before him lay below the surface; he enabled their resurfacing.
Rebecca1, thank you for your perseverance. And for your further commentary on the “former guy.” You and I have commiserated here previously about him. Indeed, many books have been written about his crimes, missteps, faux pas, lies, insults, etc., which, sadly, were virtually daily occurrences in his presidency. God help us all if he ever holds office again. Lord knows, his enablers in Congress have changed laws in many states to facilitate that possibility and to suppress the vote aka suppress the will of the people.
I did mention Colin Powell in my previous post because I read the despicable and unforgivable comments the ex-president made after Powell’s death. I certainly left out so many other things he said and did, for instance, inciting his “cult” followers to the insurrection of January 6th. As you contend, we could go on and on…
I feel your pain about the Apprentice, the “horrific chain of events,” and the celebrity he enjoyed that cultivated his popularity. Our country has been forever altered by, as you say, the “viciousness that before him lay below the surface; he enabled their resurfacing.”
As for our fellow posters here, including the one who brought “Trump” into this discussion, I definitely see your logical points — and what he wrote might have been a complete “dig” — but I am hopeful that empathy had some role. Take care, Friend!
Lol; I’m not as discreet as you are; there was no empathy there. I’ve witnessed enough on this site with certain “regulars” to know. I call it as I see it; and I see it. ♥
Jamesj75…I agree with your comments about the gun tragedy and the “former guy.” You expressed them in a very thoughtful way. To add a followup, editorials from the LA Times suggest tptb will be banning real guns and live bullets from tv and movie sets. And even the firing of props would not be at target anymore. It’s about time. And why so many guns in movies and tv anyway??? It doesn’t help when the new Walmart toy catalogue has two pages of advertising in four color from Nerf with every kind of gun imaginable in the hands of kids aiming and/or shooting at another kid.
Great to have your input and kind words here, Rose! I also appreciate your further discussion of guns on TV and in movies as well as the targeting of kids by Walmart (and others) for indoctrination into the gun culture. Honestly, it’s one culture I don’t like or understand… Take care, Friend!
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.
Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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This week starts with heartbreaking news. Patrick Muldoon, best known for his roles as the original Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives and later as Richard Hart on Melrose Place, died on Sunday, April 19, at the age of 57. Reports indicate his death was sudden following a heart attack.
Muldoon’s sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, told TMZ on Monday more details on her brother’s death, “Patrick went to take a shower Sunday morning after drinking coffee with his girlfriend in their Beverly Hills home. His girlfriend decided to check on him after he was taking too long and found him unconscious on the bathroom floor?” Shana added that paramedics rushed over and tried to revive Patrick, but there was nothing anyone could do.
Soap fans first saw Muldoon as Kate’s (Lauren Koslow) son on DAYS back in 1992, where he quickly became a fan favorite during the on-screen love story between Austin and Carrie Brady (Christie Clarke). Patrick left the series in 1995. He later made comeback for appearances in 2011 and 2012.
Photo: JPI
On Melrose Place, he played bad buy Richard Hart from 1995-1996. Patrick launched his acting career while in college landing the role of Matt in the 1990 sitcom Who’s The Boss? alongside the likes of Judith Light (ex-Karen, OLTL) and Tony Danza. Following his graduation, Patrick nabbed a recurring role as Jeffrey Hunter in Saved By The Bell by 1991.
Throughout his decades long career, Muldoon also starred in several motion and TV series including his leading roile in Starship Troopers (1997). He also had parts in Deadlock (2021), Vanquish (2021), Dakota (2022), Marlowe (2022), and Murder At Hollow Creek (2023).
Photo: JPI
Not only was Patrick an actors, but a producer and a musician and singer. He often made appearances and put out music with his band, The Sleeping Masses. Muldoon was the band’s lead singer and guitar player. Patrick was also a producer of TV and film projects.
At the time of his death, Patrick was also an executive producer on a the movie “Kockroach,” which is currently in production.
Taking to his Instagram, just a few days before his death, Muldoon expressed,“So excited to be a part of this amazing project KOCKROACH directed by Matt Ross starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Edgerton, Zazzie Beetz And Alec Baldwin. Filming now in Australia,” he captioned his post.
Sadly, on April 24, Muldoon can be seen in his 2025 film Dirty Hands also festuring Denise Richards (ex-B&B, RHOBH), which will be released on digital streaming platforms on VOD.
Muldoon is survived by his partner, Miriam Rothbart; parents, Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr.; his sister and brother-in-law, Shana and Ahmet Zappa; and their children, Muldoon’s beloved niece Halo and nephew Arrow Zappa.
Share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Patrick Muldoon via the comment section, which is followed below by the trailer Dirty Hands due out later this week on digital platforms.
All My Children and Hallmark alum, Jonathan Bennett has been cast in the newly-created role on General Hospital as Joe Fitzpatrick.
Look for Bennett to make his debut on the ABC soap opera next month in May. Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans for his work as JR Chandler on All My Children from 2000-2001. Later, he landed the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout role.
Jonathan would go on to star in seven Hallmark Channel movies and then hosting and producing the network’s reality competition show Finding Mr. Christmas, Bennett has also appeared as a contestant on Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars, plus Celebrity Big Brother in 2019, and he starred on Broadway in Spamalot.
Courtesy/ABC
Frank Valentini, the executive producer of General Hospital shared to Deadline who first reported the casting news, “We’re so excited to have Jonathan joining our cast. He’s a tremendous talent and will be a fantastic addition to ‘GH.’
After the news broke, Bennett took to his Instagram and shared, “There’s a new guy in town…” Meanwhile, the official General Hospital account shared a pic and expressed, “He’s already tired of us telling him his hair looks sexy pushed back. Welcome to the family, Jonathan Bennett.
Bennett is married to Jaymes Vaughan. Back in 2022, they became the first gay couple to appear on the cover of the wedding magazine, The Knot.
So, what do you think of the casting of Jonathan as Joe Fitzpatrick? Is he the new man for Lucas? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
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