The Lonely Island Star Jorma Taccone Suffers Shattered Pelvis in Devastating Ladder Accident

When you think of The Lonely Island, images of hilarious Saturday Night Live digital shorts and viral comedy hits like “I’m on a Boat” and “Finest Girl” probably come to mind. But recently, the music comedy trio made headlines for a much more serious reason that left fans worried about one of their beloved members. Jorma Taccone had an unfortunate and scary accident.

Jorma Taccone’s Frightening Fall

Jorma Taccone, one-third of the iconic comedy group alongside Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer, experienced what can only be described as a nightmare scenario while preparing for his daughter’s 5th birthday party. The 48-year-old comedian and filmmaker suffered life-threatening injuries in a fall that could have easily ended his career – or worse.

The Moment Everything Went Wrong

 

During the September 2nd episode of The Lonely Island & Seth Meyers podcast, Taccone opened up about the terrifying accident that changed his life in an instant. The setting was his Connecticut farmhouse, a property built in 1739 that he’s spent years lovingly renovating. Taccone’s passion for building and creating makes him a strong force in the entertainment industry.

But on this particular Sunday, that passion nearly cost him everything.

Taccone was working on what he thought would be the finishing touches of a barn mural project. He’d borrowed a ladder from his neighbor, despite the neighbor’s explicit warning that it was unreliable and missing crucial safety features. “Hey, this ladder is bad. You shouldn’t use this ladder. It doesn’t have a footing thing,” his neighbor had cautioned.

Like many of us might do, Taccone brushed off the concern. “No, it’ll be good,” he thought, positioning the rickety ladder at a diagonal angle about 20 feet off the ground. He was hanging decorative lights around the barn’s eave when disaster struck.

Those Terrifying Final Seconds

What happened next is the stuff of nightmares. Taccone felt the ladder “give way” beneath him, and in that split second, he experienced what so many accident victims describe – time seemed to slow down completely. Taccone recalled:

My life flashes before my eyes… I’m like, ‘Oh no, I got to get off this ladder.’ I literally have enough time as I’m falling to be, like, I’m going to die.

The fall wasn’t just a simple tumble. This was a 20-foot plummet straight down, with Taccone landing squarely on his tailbone. The impact was so severe that he immediately knew something was catastrophically wrong. Between the screaming and cursing that followed, Taccone found himself tangled in the broken ladder, unable to move properly.

The Devastating Medical Diagnosis

The Lonely Island member’s injuries were far more serious than anyone initially realized. When doctors examined him at the hospital, the diagnosis was rough: Taccone had completely shattered his pelvis on the left side. But that wasn’t all – his sacrum, the triangular bone at the base of the spine that connects to the pelvis, had completely detached from his backbone.

Surgery and the Long Road Ahead

Doctors have told him he’s looking at three to six months before he’ll be walking again, followed by intensive rehabilitation to regain his full range of motion. Taccone admitted during the podcast:

I know I’m laughing about it right now, but it isn’t probably the most real good thing I will ever experience,

What’s particularly striking is how close this came to being much worse. According to his medical team, Taccone fortunately landed in a way that prevented more damage. Had he landed on his heels or feet, there was a chance his spine could’ve been adversely affected.

Taccone’s Support System Behind the Recovery

The Lonely Island is a close-knit group. Both Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer have been in constant contact with Taccone throughout his long recovery, and their concern was evident during the podcast discussion.

“It has been a really scary week,” Schaffer admitted, while Samberg added practical relief: “We’re glad that you didn’t hit your head, and that you’re not dead.” It’s the kind of dark humor that defines their friendship, but the underlying emotion was unmistakable.

Sadly, the accident happened on which should’ve been a joyous occasion. Instead, Taccone was taken to the ER for lifesaving surgery. Yet his perspective on his “luck” in surviving the bad fall illustrates his mental strength which will serve him well during recovery.

How This Affects The Lonely Island’s Future

The musical comedy group has been relatively active in recent years, continuing to create content and maintain their podcast with Seth Meyers. Taccone’s creative partners are definitely committed to supporting whatever timeline works best for his health, rather than rushing back into projects before he’s ready.

Safety in DIY Projects

What happened to Taccone is a sobering reminder about the importance of safety equipment and accident prevention. He didn’t heed his neighbor’s warning about the faulty ladder. What should’ve been something routine rapidly became a very dangerous and a life-changing situation. The few extra minutes or dollars spent on safety measures pale in comparison to months of recovery and rehabilitation.

Looking Forward: Recovery and Resilience

The road ahead won’t be easy. Three to six months of learning to walk again, followed by intensive physical therapy, represents a significant portion of anyone’s life. But if Taccone’s career has taught us anything, it’s that he approaches challenges with determination and lots of support from the people who care about him.