Key Takeaways:
- Alec and Hilaria Baldwin’s children feared their parents could be shot in court during the Rust trial.
- The tragedy deeply impacted the Baldwin family’s mental health and emotional well-being.
- Alec Baldwin continues to suffer from survivor’s guilt following the accidental death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
- Hilaria reveals Alec’s mental and physical health has declined since the incident.
- The Rust trial remains a defining chapter in the Baldwin family’s life.
Alec and Hilaria Baldwin Reveal How Rust Tragedy Traumatized Their Children
The Rust shooting incident not only altered Alec Baldwin’s life forever—it deeply shook his entire family, including his young children. During a recent episode of their podcast, The Baldwins, Hilaria Baldwin opened up about how their children were haunted by fears of losing their parents in court.
The tragic accident occurred on the set of the Western film Rust, when a prop gun held by Alec Baldwin discharged, fatally wounding cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin, 66, was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter, although those charges were dropped in 2023.
But for their children, the legal drama sparked terrifying emotions.
“Will They Shoot You Too?”
Speaking candidly on the podcast, Hilaria shared that her children were fearful for their parents’ safety as they prepared to attend court in New Mexico.
“Carmen asked me last night, ‘When daddy goes to New Mexico, do I say goodbye to him in a special way?’ She was so afraid that when Alec and I go into court, that somebody is going to shoot us.”
Hilaria even admitted to leaving behind hidden letters for her kids in case something happened—highlighting the sheer emotional weight the family has been carrying.
“This is going to sound so stupid, but I wrote the kids little letters and hid them. I told my friend where they were, in case something happened to us.”
A Family in Crisis
The couple are parents to seven children—Carmen (10), Rafael (8), Leonardo (7), Romeo (6), Eduardo (3), María Lucía (3), and Ilaria (21 months). As the legal process dragged on, the emotional toll it took on Alec became more apparent, with Hilaria sharing how he struggled with suicidal thoughts.
“I found these text messages the other day between us, and the day after [the shooting], he said he wanted to kill himself.”
“He has survivor’s guilt. He wishes it were him. He would change places in a second.”
She went on to describe how the stress has impacted Alec’s physical health as well.
“This has affected his health and his mental health tremendously. In the past few years, he has had heart problems and, multiple times, he fainted.”
A Life Forever Changed
Although Baldwin has publicly denied pulling the trigger and maintains he had no knowledge that the prop gun was loaded, the psychological impact of the incident lingers.
In a deeply personal moment, Alec recalled a conversation with a fellow celebrity who had also faced a life-altering tragedy. Her words resonated with him:
“I said, ‘Is it ever possible for me to be the same again after this happened?’ And she goes, ‘I haven’t been the same for one day. Not one day. It changed my life. It changed me.’”
This reflection underscores how profoundly this tragedy has reshaped Alec Baldwin—not just as an actor, but as a father, husband, and human being.
The Entertainment Industry’s Wake-Up Call
The Rust incident sparked widespread discussions around set safety and accountability in Hollywood. For actors, producers, and aspiring filmmakers, it served as a chilling reminder that even in controlled environments, the consequences of negligence can be catastrophic.
More productions are now re-evaluating their protocols around prop weapons, emphasizing training, supervision, and safety. For those working in film and TV, the incident has become a pivotal case study in crisis management, public relations, and the legal risks involved in on-set accidents.
Final Thoughts
The Baldwin family’s openness reveals the unseen ripple effects of tragedy—especially on children. While Alec Baldwin continues to wrestle with his guilt and grief, his story serves as a reminder that public figures face deeply personal battles behind the headlines.
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, so must its approach to safety, compassion, and mental health.
