Samuel Johnson breaks down as he reveals the accident that changed his life forever
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Tragedy can strike unexpectedly, reshaping lives in an instant and testing the limits of resilience.
For one well-known Australian actor, a single night brought unimaginable challenges that would change everything he knew about love and strength.
What unfolded in the aftermath reveals a remarkable journey of survival and hope.
Australian actor Samuel Johnson faced a life-threatening ordeal in 2021 that nearly ended everything he had built.
On a dark night, while he and his partner Em stopped so he could answer the ‘call of nature’ behind a tree, Johnson was struck by a car.
In those critical moments, Em held his head together to keep him alive until the ambulance arrived.
Doctors were unsure if he would ever regain consciousness or be the same again after suffering ground glass in his lungs and multiple fractures to his neck and skull.
In a deeply emotional interview, Johnson reflected on that terrifying night and the surprising realisation that came with it.
‘When I woke up. I couldn’t believe how much Em cared for me,’ he said, tears welling in his eyes. ‘I was just. I woke up and went “Wow, I’m not awful”. She really cares for me. And I just realised that I was all right and that I needed to make sure that I cared for her as well as she cared for me.’
Em added: ‘He realised he was deserving of love. He put the whip away and stopped being so hard on himself.’
Johnson then spent seven weeks in hospital followed by 18 months of gruelling rehabilitation.
Despite the immense pain and uncertainty, he was determined to reclaim his life and threw all his strength into recovery.
‘Even though I nearly died, a little knock on the head balanced everything out nicely,’ he said.
While Johnson did get back on his feet, the impact of that night left lasting effects on his body.
‘I’ve got no sense of smell. My vestibular system, which controls my sense of space and my balance, is a bit wonky,’ he explained.
He also noted, ‘When I get tired my behaviour starts to change—so if you interview me for too long, I’ll start talking funny. But apart from that, I’m all right.’
Johnson acknowledged that many people do not survive such accidents or come through without serious impairments.
He has faced more tragedy than most, having lost his mother and a former partner to suicide, and his sister to cancer.
Johnson admitted that he sometimes leaned on unhealthy coping mechanisms.
‘The problem is that I really love alcohol. It’s fun. But I like it a little too much,’ he confessed.
Now, he recognised the importance of setting limits to protect both his personal and professional life.
‘I’ve got a personal life I would never insult. And I’ve got a professional life I cannot jeopardise,’ he said firmly.
Since his recovery, Johnson has devoted himself to raising funds for cancer research.
‘I’m not trying to paint a picture that’s not true. It’s just my life now. It’s like a rainbow life,’ he reflected.
In a previous story, a Marvel star shared his own near-death experience that left a lasting impact.
His chilling words—‘I know I died’—reveal just how close he came to the edge.
Read more about his extraordinary survival here.
Samuel Johnson’s story shows incredible strength in the face of hardship. What do you think helps people find hope after life changes so suddenly? Share your thoughts in the comments.
For one well-known Australian actor, a single night brought unimaginable challenges that would change everything he knew about love and strength.
What unfolded in the aftermath reveals a remarkable journey of survival and hope.
Australian actor Samuel Johnson faced a life-threatening ordeal in 2021 that nearly ended everything he had built.
On a dark night, while he and his partner Em stopped so he could answer the ‘call of nature’ behind a tree, Johnson was struck by a car.
In those critical moments, Em held his head together to keep him alive until the ambulance arrived.
Samuel Johnson recalls near-fatal accident with partner’s help. Image source: ABC
Doctors were unsure if he would ever regain consciousness or be the same again after suffering ground glass in his lungs and multiple fractures to his neck and skull.
In a deeply emotional interview, Johnson reflected on that terrifying night and the surprising realisation that came with it.
‘When I woke up. I couldn’t believe how much Em cared for me,’ he said, tears welling in his eyes. ‘I was just. I woke up and went “Wow, I’m not awful”. She really cares for me. And I just realised that I was all right and that I needed to make sure that I cared for her as well as she cared for me.’
Em added: ‘He realised he was deserving of love. He put the whip away and stopped being so hard on himself.’
Johnson then spent seven weeks in hospital followed by 18 months of gruelling rehabilitation.
Despite the immense pain and uncertainty, he was determined to reclaim his life and threw all his strength into recovery.
‘Even though I nearly died, a little knock on the head balanced everything out nicely,’ he said.
While Johnson did get back on his feet, the impact of that night left lasting effects on his body.
‘I’ve got no sense of smell. My vestibular system, which controls my sense of space and my balance, is a bit wonky,’ he explained.
He also noted, ‘When I get tired my behaviour starts to change—so if you interview me for too long, I’ll start talking funny. But apart from that, I’m all right.’
Johnson acknowledged that many people do not survive such accidents or come through without serious impairments.
He has faced more tragedy than most, having lost his mother and a former partner to suicide, and his sister to cancer.
Johnson admitted that he sometimes leaned on unhealthy coping mechanisms.
‘The problem is that I really love alcohol. It’s fun. But I like it a little too much,’ he confessed.
Now, he recognised the importance of setting limits to protect both his personal and professional life.
‘I’ve got a personal life I would never insult. And I’ve got a professional life I cannot jeopardise,’ he said firmly.
Since his recovery, Johnson has devoted himself to raising funds for cancer research.
‘I’m not trying to paint a picture that’s not true. It’s just my life now. It’s like a rainbow life,’ he reflected.
In a previous story, a Marvel star shared his own near-death experience that left a lasting impact.
Marvel actor reveals chilling near-death moment. Image source: ABC
His chilling words—‘I know I died’—reveal just how close he came to the edge.
Read more about his extraordinary survival here.
Samuel Johnson’s story shows incredible strength in the face of hardship. What do you think helps people find hope after life changes so suddenly? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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