A harrowing accident at his Connecticut farmhouse left comedian and director Jorma Taccone with shattered bones and a lengthy recovery ahead. The Saturday Night Live writer and Lonely Island member fell approximately 20 feet from a ladder on August 31, while hanging lights around his barn in preparation for a large mural project.
Taccone, who was working alone at the time of the incident, suffered catastrophic injuries when he plummeted from near the 25-foot apex of the structure. He shattered his pelvis and detached his sacrum upon landing on his buttocks, though he fortunately avoided any head trauma. The fall occurred just as Taccone was near completion of his work on the barn. The accident coincided with his daughter’s fifth birthday, adding emotional weight to an already devastating situation.
The filmmaker’s 25-foot fall shattered his pelvis as his daughter turned five, tragedy and celebration colliding in cruel timing.
According to reports, a neighbor had previously warned Taccone about the unsafe ladder, which lacked proper footing and safety features. Despite these concerns, the ladder was used for the ambitious lighting project, resulting in the life-threatening fall.
Emergency medical personnel rushed Taccone to a hospital where he underwent immediate surgery. Doctors projected a challenging recovery timeline of 3 to 6 months before walking might be possible again. The week following the surgery was described as “really scary,” though medical assessments confirmed he would not suffer permanent paralysis. The extended recovery period may impact his ability to generate income from live performances, which are a crucial revenue stream for many entertainers. During his rehabilitation, doctors recommended ergonomic positioning and proper body mechanics to prevent additional strain during his recovery process.
Co-hosts of Taccone’s podcast expressed profound relief at his survival while grappling with when humor about the situation might be appropriate. Taccone himself suggested that joking about the accident should be instantaneous despite its severity. The incident prompted widespread discussion about ladder safety in both entertainment news and safety awareness campaigns, highlighting how falls from such heights can result in critical injuries.
Prior to the accident, Taccone had been enjoying professional success with his directorial film “Over Your Dead Body” being acquired by IFC.
While the release date remains undetermined, the accident has temporarily impacted his promotional activities and involvement in creative projects, though he has remained engaged with his team throughout his recovery process.
