Tom Cruise’s bold portrayal of pilot Barry Seal in the 2017 film “American Made” took a tragic turn during filming. The production involved three pilots—Carlos Berl, Jimmy Lee Garland, and Andrew Purwin—flying a twin-engine Aerostar 600 in Colombia. Unfortunately, the September 2015 crash resulted in the loss of two lives and severe injuries to Garland. Subsequent lawsuits filed by the families alleged negligence and raised questions about safety measures in the filmmaking process.
Carlos Berl, although experienced, was unfamiliar with the Aerostar and had voiced safety concerns before the flight. Jimmy Lee Garland, a pilot-mechanic, also served as Tom Cruise’s double in the film. Andrew Purwin, known for his inclination towards risky stunts, had a controversial aviation record. The crash, ultimately attributed to bad weather, occurred under intense pressure to depart immediately.
The aftermath of the tragedy led to legal battles, with claims of pressured flying, compromised planes, and dishonest qualifications. The lawsuits, highlighting the film’s impact on safety, vetting, and regulatory processes in movie production, were concluded in 2019 with an undisclosed settlement.
It’s noteworthy that similar aerial risks were present during the filming of “Top Gun” in 1985. “American Made,” despite its continued popularity on streaming platforms, stands as a poignant reminder of the inherent hazards involved in cinematic feats and the critical importance of prioritizing safety measures in film production.
The Sprouse Twins today: Inside their life now, at 30
Dylan and Cole Sprouse captured our hearts over 25 years ago as the adorable twins in *Big Daddy* with Adam Sandler. Now grown men, the brothers aren’t as inseparable as before but remain very close.
Born in 1992, the blonde twins started acting as babies, sharing roles in commercials and TV shows. They gained attention in *Grace Under Fire* as Patrick Kelly from 1993 to 1998. Their breakout role came in *Big Daddy* (1999), where they charmed audiences with their witty performances.
Cole recalled working with Sandler, telling *People* in 2022, “He strikes a very, really good balance between art and business,” and admired how Sandler “raises up all of his friends.”
In 2000, Cole briefly split from Dylan to star as Ross’s son Ben on *Friends*, where he developed a crush on Jennifer Aniston. He admitted, “I’m fairly sure I fell in love with Jennifer Aniston” and often felt intimidated on set.
Today, Cole stars as Jughead in *Riverdale* and is dating model Ari Fournier, while Dylan co-founded All-Wise Meadery and is engaged to model Barbara Palvin.
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