10 Hilarious Actor Pranks (That Went Too Far...)
4. Paul Newman Faked His Own Death To Otto Preminger - Exodus
Let’s not forget that the art of on-set pranking has been a part of the film industry for well over 60 years. For proof, look no further than this jaw-dropping series of events from the archives of the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Paul Newman cemented his legacy with classics like, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting but before all this, he was plying his trade on the dramatic telling of the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, in post World War II epic Exodus, directed by Otto Preminger.
Newman, in a devilish mood thanks to Preminger's boorish attitude to his script suggestions concocted a stunt that would find its payoff in the thick of a fight scene he was shooting on a high-up balcony. During a take Newman strategically swapped himself with a dummy for the moment he was punched by his fight partner and, as Otto was watching from the ground, threw the dummy off the balcony. The sight of Newman seemingly splatting on the floor was enough for him to collapse from shock and require first aid.
Brilliant as it may be, this one worked a little too well.