The Time Sacha Baron Cohen Narrowly Escaped Death on the Set of ‘Borat’

Sacha Baron Cohen is renowned for his unwavering commitment to method acting, often staying in character even when the cameras stop rolling. However, this dedication has frequently placed him in precarious situations, with one specific incident during the filming of the 2006 mockumentary Borat nearly costing him his life.

While the film is packed with uncomfortable interactions and awkward social clashes, the most dangerous moment occurred at a rodeo in Salem, Virginia. Cohen, disguised as the oblivious Kazakh journalist Borat Sagdiyev, had convinced the organizers to let him sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The crowd initially welcomed him, but the mood shifted rapidly once he began singing. Instead of the actual lyrics, Cohen belted out a version that praised Kazakhstan’s potassium exports and ended with a plea for George W. Bush to drink the blood of Iraqi men, women, and children.

The reaction from the audience was immediate and hostile. The gathered crowd, realizing the mockery, turned into an angry mob, with some observers later noting that the atmosphere became potentially lethal.

One of the rodeo producers later admitted to the press that the situation had escalated beyond control. He remarked that if Cohen had remained in the arena for just one minute longer, he likely would have been shot by an enraged spectator.

To make his escape, Cohen and his crew had to sprint to their getaway van while being pursued by the furious mob. The danger was so palpable that the team had to physically hold the doors shut as people tried to break in and drag them out.

This brush with death didn’t deter Cohen from his unique brand of comedy, but it remains one of the closest calls in his career. It serves as a stark reminder of the real-world risks involved in exposing the darker side of societal norms through satire.

What is your favorite scene from the Borat movies? Share your thoughts in the comments!