Back in late December 2025, an iconic scene at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular went off track, literally. During a performance of the long-running show, the 400lb boulder jumped the tracks during an opening scene of the show. As it bounced toward guests, Cast Member Robert Herrick jumped into action to put himself between the dangerous prop and guests sitting in the first few rows of the show. Herrick was injured after the boulder impacted him and sent him flying. Now, he’s back to work. Here’s the latest.
Cast Member Injured by Boulder at Indiana Jones Show Returns to Work
In This Article
- What happened with the Indiana Jones stunt show boulder?
- What changed about the show following the incident?
- Is the boulder back?
Nearly five months after a 400lb runaway prop boulder was sent bouncing toward guests, injuring a Cast Member who sprang into action, Cast Member Robert Herrick is back on stage at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. According to WFTV, Herrick returned to the show this week and performed again on Friday, marking his first appearance since the December 30, 2025 incident that left him with fractured vertebrae and a viral moment that Disney fans won’t forget.
The Incident
We first reported on the incident on December 31, 2025. During the 4:30pm performance on December 30th, a 400lb rubber prop boulder jumped its track during the iconic opening scene and began bouncing toward audience members in the front rows.
Herrick, a 36-year veteran of the show who was seated nearby, was out of his seat before most people in the theater had processed what was happening. He planted himself between the boulder and the crowd, taking the full force of the prop. Video posted to social media showed him rising to his feet with blood visible on his head.
The audience reaction said it all. “He literally saved our lives,” one guest was heard saying off camera.
His Injuries
Herrick later revealed the full extent of his injuries in a January interview with WFTV Channel 9. He fractured two vertebrae in his neck, his C6 and C7, received six stitches, and wore a neck brace for eight weeks. Despite it all, he deflected any talk of heroism.
“If I could be a speed bump for that boulder so that it didn’t make it to the audience, I was going to do that,” Herrick said.
He described the show as his second home and spoke openly about how much he missed his fellow performers and the live audience during his recovery. “I miss my Epic family, and I miss the audience,” he said.
Disney’s Response
The morning after the incident, we documented the modified version of the show that Disney implemented immediately. Rather than the boulder rolling toward Indiana Jones in the opening temple sequence, the stunt performer simply does a flip, and the scene ends. Disney confirmed the change was temporary while the safety team completed a review of what caused the boulder to leave the track.
That modified version of the show remains in place to this day. Back in March, we noted the boulder’s continued absence during a visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We watched the show as recently as last week, and the boulder was still missing. Walt Disney World did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but we’ll be sure to update this article if we learn more.
Herrick’s Return
Now, Herrick is back. WFTV reported that he returned to the show this week, performing again on Friday. His fellow cast members marked the occasion with a sign that read: “Welcome back Robert! The boulder didn’t stop you.” Another message called him “an inspiration to us all.”
Per WFTV, Herrick’s return is less about headlines and more about routine. He’s spent decades in the role and has consistently described returning to his Epic family as the thing he’s looked forward to most.
OUR TAKE: At the center of this story is a person who acted selflessly, out of concern and love for others. I’m glad that Robert is ok, and back doing what he loves. Although Herrick downplayed his actions, what he did was heroic. There’s no way to know if the boulder would’ve injured any guests for sure, but the fact that Herrick wasn’t going to take any chances made his actions heroic in my book.
As for the return of the boulder, I’m not sure we’ll ever see it return, but I hope I’m wrong. The boulder is an iconic part of not only the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, but also the Indiana Jones franchise. I hope that Disney is able to complete the safety review and come up with a solution that allows this particular moment of the show to return to its former glory, safely.
In general, the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular remains one of our top must-watch shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The show is filled with amazing stunts, comedy, behind-the-scenes moments, and a bunch of heart. It’s a Hollywood Studios classic.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!