Jeremy Renner is already great (as in Marvel hero and survivor of a horrific snowplow accident) – now he’s great too. The actor was announced as grand marshal of the 92nd Hollywood Christmas Parade, organizers announced Wednesday.
The two-time Oscar nominee, known for his roles as William James in “The Hurt Locker” and the arrow-throwing Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, will lead the nearly 100-year-old parade. He follows in the footsteps of many famous marshals, including Bob Hope, Olivia Newton-John, William Shatner and Magic Johnson.
The December 1 parade will begin at 6 p.m. at the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles and continue for 3.2 miles along a U-shaped route. The parade ends with the appearance of the jolly old elf, Father Christmas, and its reindeer.
The event supports the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and will air December 14 on The CW.
“I am honored to serve as Grand Marshal for this year’s Hollywood Christmas Parade and excited to partner with Toys for Tots to bring joy to children in need,” Renner said in a statement. “Their mission closely aligns with the work we do at the RennerVation Foundation, creating meaningful experiences for at-risk youth.”
This Christmas marks just two years since Renner was seriously injured, nearly dying after being run over by a 7-ton snow plow. The accident happened on New Year’s Day 2023 while he was clearing the driveway of his Nevada home. He was thrown from the vehicle and then crushed by it as he tried to stop it from rolling down a hill towards his nephew. He spent several weeks in hospital treating 38 fractures, severe chest trauma and a collapsed lung.
“It’s in my visions. It’s in my dreams and in my waking thoughts,” he told the Times in May. Attributing his recovery to the positive attitude of his doctors and family, he returned to acting shortly after the first anniversary of the accident and this year starred in the third season of “Mayor of Kingstown.” In 2023, he created his non-profit association, the RennerVation Foundation.
The rest of the parade’s talent will be announced soon, organizers said.
