Alec Baldwin Is Reportedly Hoping Some Actor Friends Will Testify in His 'Rust' Trial
Alec Baldwin is taking notes after the Rust armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the death of the film’s cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. The 65-year-old actor is prepping his own case which begins on July 9 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
As a producer and star of the low-budget Western, Baldwin was the one who allegedly fired the live bullet while rehearsing a scene on Oct. 21, 2021. He was told the gun was “cold,” but he may not have done the final safety checks to make sure that the firearm did not have live ammunition. His director, Joel Souza, was wounded while Hutchins lost her life that day — and Baldwin now faces 18 months in prison.
More from SheKnows
Baldwin’s legal team is looking for a way to bolster his case, according to TMZ, and they want to submit a list of celebrities who have voiced their support for him. It would be a way for the jury to understand what it’s like for an actor to handle a firearm on set, and learn who is ultimately response for making sure the cast and crew is safe. Mickey Rourke gave his “2 cents” in January 2023 in an Instagram post that defended Baldwin.
“It’s a terrible tragedy what happened to a cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. But no way in hell actor Alec Baldwin should be charged with any negligence whatsoever. Most actors don’t know anything about guns especially if they didn’t grow up around them,” he wrote while explaining the chain of command of how a gun is safely delivered to an actor while filming. “No way in hell should Alec Baldwin be blamed for this unfortunate tragedy. Why the powers to be charging Baldwin with this responsibility is terribly wrong,” he continued. “I am sure Alec is already suffering enough over what happened. But to lay a blame on him is terribly terribly wrong.”
Anyone NOT in the industry or who has not worked on a set should STFU – you’re showing your ignorance.
??
The grandstanding prosecutor doesn’t even go after the true culprit: Who put a live round in the gun?
??
There is NO investigation about that. THAT is the question.— Frances Fisher (@Frances_Fisher) January 20, 2023
Frances Fisher, who is deeply involved with SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union supporting Baldwin, also weighed in around the same time as Rourke, tweeting on X, “Anyone NOT in the industry or who has not worked on a set should STFU – you’re showing your ignorance. The grandstanding prosecutor doesn’t even go after the true culprit: Who put a live round in the gun? There is NO investigation about that. THAT is the question.”
Now, Rourke, Fisher, and Debra Messing could find himself with a subpoena in the case if Baldwin’s legal team wants some star power in the case. But The Wrestler star doesn’t mind at all, telling the outlet, “Whatever Alec needs I’ll be there 100%. The armorer is 100% responsible for any gun handed to an actor. Especially, to an actor who didn’t have experience with guns.” Baldwin’s legal team has not reached out to Rourke and the possible celebrity testimony is not “set in stone” yet, but this could be a high-profile court case this summer.
Before you go, click here to see the most important celebrity lawsuits over the past 15 years.
Best of SheKnows
36 Times Meghan Markle's Post-Royal Fashion Took Our Breath Away
28 Times Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Were the King & Queen of PDA
Little-Known Details About Dakota Johnson & Chris Martin's Relationship
Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
