Alec Baldwin on ‘Rust’ shooting: ‘I didn’t pull the trigger’
NEW YORK (AP) — Alec Baldwin told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos in an interview airing Thursday that he did not pull the trigger on a prop gun he was holding on a New Mexico film set when it went off, killing a cinematographer.
“I didn’t pull the trigger,” Baldwin said. “I would never point a gun at anyone and pull the trigger at them. Never.”

Jeffrey Neira/ABC News via AP
This image released by ABC News shows actor-producer Alec Baldwin, left, during an interview with “Good Morning America” co-anchor George Stephanopoulos. The hour-long interview about the fatal shooting on the set of Baldwin's film “Rust” will air Thursday, Dec. 2, at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.
It is Baldwin’s first sit-down interview since the Oct. 21 shooting on the set of the western film “Rust.” Authorities have said Baldwin was told the gun was safe to handle but continue to investigate how a live round ended up in the weapon.
ABC released a clip Wednesday that shows Baldwin breaking down in tears while describing Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who was killed on the set. Director Joel Souza was also wounded.
He said in response to a question about how a live round ended up on the set: “I have no idea. Someone put a live bullet in a gun, a bullet that wasn’t even supposed to be on the property.”
The interview will air as part of an hourlong special on ABC at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday and stream on Hulu later that evening.
Investigators have described “some complacency” in how weapons were handled on the “Rust” set. They have said it is too soon to determine whether charges will be filed, amid independent civil lawsuits concerning liability in the fatal shooting.
ABC said a two-hour “20/20” special next week will examine the investigation into the shooting in more depth.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured directorJohn Minchillo
FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, photo Alec Baldwin watches the men's singles final of the US Open tennis championships in New York. A prop firearm discharged by veteran actor Alec Baldwin, who is starring and producing a Western movie, killed his director of photography and injured the director Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 at the movie set outside Santa Fe, N.M., the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said.(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
John MinchilloFILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, photo Alec Baldwin watches the men's singles final of the US Open tennis championships in New York. A prop firearm discharged by veteran actor Alec Baldwin, who is starring and producing a Western movie, killed his director of photography and injured the director Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 at the movie set outside Santa Fe, N.M., the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said.(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured directorNew Line Cinema
The 2012 musical comedy isn’t one of Alec Baldwin’s better-known movies, and he seems content to keep it that way. The same year it was released, he called it “a complete disaster” in an interview with The Wrap.
New Line CinemaThe 2012 musical comedy isn’t one of Alec Baldwin’s better-known movies, and he seems content to keep it that way. The same year it was released, he called it “a complete disaster” in an interview with The Wrap.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured directorBonnie Biess/Getty Images/New York Daily News/TNS
The most famous of the Baldwin clan has a notoriously fraught relationship with the paps, once even suggesting that paparazzi should be waterboarded in 2012. He was accused of striking a photographer that same year.
Bonnie Biess/Getty Images/New York Daily News/TNSThe most famous of the Baldwin clan has a notoriously fraught relationship with the paps, once even suggesting that paparazzi should be waterboarded in 2012. He was accused of striking a photographer that same year.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured directorChris Pizzello
Betty White, left, speaks at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Looking on from right are Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Chris PizzelloBetty White, left, speaks at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Looking on from right are Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Famously hot-tempered Alec Baldwin worked as a nightclub bouncer before hitting it big—at New York City’s famed Studio 54, no less.
Famously hot-tempered Alec Baldwin worked as a nightclub bouncer before hitting it big—at New York City’s famed Studio 54, no less.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Overall wins: 8 Total nominations: 20 TV wins: 8 Movie wins: 0 The actor with the most SAG Award wins is Alec Baldwin. He has been nominated 20 times in his acting career and has won eight of them. His first win came in 2007 in the category of Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in “30 Rock.” He went on to win the same award in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. To round out his eight wins, “30 Rock” won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2009.
Overall wins: 8 Total nominations: 20 TV wins: 8 Movie wins: 0 The actor with the most SAG Award wins is Alec Baldwin. He has been nominated 20 times in his acting career and has won eight of them. His first win came in 2007 in the category of Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in “30 Rock.” He went on to win the same award in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. To round out his eight wins, “30 Rock” won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2009.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Actor Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Thomas, a yoga instructor, married in 2011 and have four children together. Hilaria says she didn’t know anything about the "30 Rock” actor when they met. After learning Baldwin was pre-diabetic, his health-conscious wife helped the actor adopt a healthier diet to shed 30 pounds.
Actor Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Thomas, a yoga instructor, married in 2011 and have four children together. Hilaria says she didn’t know anything about the "30 Rock” actor when they met. After learning Baldwin was pre-diabetic, his health-conscious wife helped the actor adopt a healthier diet to shed 30 pounds.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Season 32, Episode 5 IMDb rating: 7.6 IMDb votes: 93 Airdate: November 11, 2006 In 2006, “SNL” had assembled one of its strongest casts ever, thanks to a lineup that included Andy Samberg, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Seth Meyers, and Bill Hader. This particular episode included Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan guest-starring in Baldwin's monologue.
Season 32, Episode 5 IMDb rating: 7.6 IMDb votes: 93 Airdate: November 11, 2006 In 2006, “SNL” had assembled one of its strongest casts ever, thanks to a lineup that included Andy Samberg, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Seth Meyers, and Bill Hader. This particular episode included Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan guest-starring in Baldwin's monologue.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Santa Actor: Alec Baldwin
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 80%
Santa Claus goes full fantasy in this epic that encompasses all the holiday patrons — the Easter Bunny, the Boogeyman, even the Tooth Fairy — as they band together to fight an ancient, recently awakened evil. While it’s a good movie, it’s not very Christmasy with Alec Baldwin’s hardened, battle-worn Santa. When he laughs, his belly shakes like a bowl full of cement.
Santa Actor: Alec Baldwin
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 80%
Santa Claus goes full fantasy in this epic that encompasses all the holiday patrons — the Easter Bunny, the Boogeyman, even the Tooth Fairy — as they band together to fight an ancient, recently awakened evil. While it’s a good movie, it’s not very Christmasy with Alec Baldwin’s hardened, battle-worn Santa. When he laughs, his belly shakes like a bowl full of cement.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured directorChris Pizzello
Alec Baldwin attends the "The Boss Baby" panel on day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 21, 2016, in San Diego. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Chris PizzelloAlec Baldwin attends the "The Boss Baby" panel on day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 21, 2016, in San Diego. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured directorChris Pizzello
Alec Baldwin accepts the award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for "Saturday Night Live" at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Chris PizzelloAlec Baldwin accepts the award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for "Saturday Night Live" at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured directorWill Heath
This Jan. 14, 2017 photo released by NBC shows Alec Baldwin President Elect Donald J. Trump in a sketch on "Saturday Night Live," in New York. (Will Heath/NBC via AP)
Will HeathThis Jan. 14, 2017 photo released by NBC shows Alec Baldwin President Elect Donald J. Trump in a sketch on "Saturday Night Live," in New York. (Will Heath/NBC via AP)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured directorMark J. Terrill
Alec Baldwin, left, and Betty White are seen on stage at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mark J. TerrillAlec Baldwin, left, and Betty White are seen on stage at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured directorEvan Agostini
Actors Alec Baldwin, left, and Amy Sedaris pose together at the world premiere of "The Boss Baby: Family Business" at the SVA Theatre on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Evan AgostiniActors Alec Baldwin, left, and Amy Sedaris pose together at the world premiere of "The Boss Baby: Family Business" at the SVA Theatre on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured directorEvan Agostini
Actor Alec Baldwin, right, and wife Hilaria Baldwin attend the world premiere of "The Boss Baby: Family Business" at the SVA Theatre on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Evan AgostiniActor Alec Baldwin, right, and wife Hilaria Baldwin attend the world premiere of "The Boss Baby: Family Business" at the SVA Theatre on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured directorEvan Agostini
Actor Alec Baldwin, center, poses with his wife Hilaria Baldwin and their children at the world premiere of "The Boss Baby: Family Business" at the SVA Theatre on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Evan AgostiniActor Alec Baldwin, center, poses with his wife Hilaria Baldwin and their children at the world premiere of "The Boss Baby: Family Business" at the SVA Theatre on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)