Marvel TV Series Crew Member Dies on Set

Los Angeles, CA (WorkersCompensation.com) – A crew member on the set of a new Marvel Studios television series has died.

Officials said a rigger working at Radford Studios in Studio City died last week after he fell from a catwalk. The crew member was working on the set of the new Marvel Studios’ Wonder Man, officials said, and died on the scene. The series, officials with Marvel Studios said, was not filming at the time.

Los Angeles Police Department officials said the victim was Juan Carlos Osorio, 41, of Temple City. Police said they were called to CBS Radford Studios around 6:55 a.m. for a death investigation. No foul play is expected, police said, and an investigation is ongoing.

Riggers set up scaffolding to hold lights, cameras and other equipment at other at different angles. Officials said filming was not taking place at the time of the accident, and that production had been halted.

Osorio died on the set of “Wonder Man,” a series set to star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and actor who had appeared in “Aquaman” and HBO’s “Watchmen.” A lesser known Marvel character from the 60s, Wonder Man follows Simos Williams, a scion of wealthy industrialists, whose company loses out to Tony Stark’s (Ironman) Stark Industries. Williams then goes to work for Baron Zemo, the villain, who gives him super powers, including extreme strength. At first an adversary of the Avengers, he later joins them as a hero instead of a villain.

The series was due to start production next month after delays caused by the WGA and SAG AFTRA strikes.

The studio also expressed its condolences in a statement to CNN.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and friends, and our support is behind the investigation into the circumstances of this accident,” the studio said.

A GoFundMe Account was created to help his survivors with bills, organizers said.

“On February 6th, 2024, our friend Spike lost his life on the set of Marvels WonderMan shoot at CBS Radford Studios due to a potential structural failure,” according to campaign organizer Bill Martel. “We are hoping the Production Company, The Facility, MBS, Marvel Studios handles things properly, but expect a long road fraught with attorney fees and expenses. In the meantime, bills will be mounting and the widow, Boom Operator Joanne W. will be left to deal with everything. Help if you’re able, it’s greatly appreciated.”

As of Feb. 7, the campaign had raised nearly $150,000. Several of the contributors identified themselves as members of the union that represents theater workers, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, and many left memories of Osorio, or of theater work.

“I am terribly sorry for your loss,” Dan Euashachai said. “Looking though imdb we've worked in similar projects on different coasts. We all deserve to go home in the same fashion as we clocked in.”

The IATSE also expressed its condolences.

“Everyone in the IA family is shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic loss. We are working to support our member’s family, and his fellow members and colleagues,” IATSE President Matthew D. Loeb said in a statement. “Safety on set is our highest priority and we will assist Cal/OSHA in their investigation in any way that we can.”

OSHA confirmed it will be investigating.

The deadly accident comes on the heels of several other on-set accidents of late.

In 2021, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by a gun held by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsals on the set of “Rust” in New Mexico. Baldwin pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter.

In 2017, stuntman John Bernecker died on the set of The Walking Dead when he missed a pad during a stunt fall. And in 2014, camera assistant Sarah Hones, 27, was killed in a train accident on the set of the movie Midnight Rider.

Still injuries and deaths on sets are rare. According to the Associated Press in a 2016 report, between 1990 and 2014, at least 43 people died on sets in the U.S., and more than 150 were left with life-altering injuries.

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