Jeremy Renner.Photo:Trae Patton/NBC via Getty

Jeremy Renner

Trae Patton/NBC via Getty

Jeremy Rennerhelped his fellow Marvel starSimu Liukick off the 2024People’s Choice Awards.

More that 13 months after asnow plow accidentthat left Renner in critical condition, he took the stage at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on Sunday to introduce the first award of the night.

“Gotta say, it feels good to be back,” Renner, 53, told the audience after walking out to thunderous applause. “This year’s been a heck of a journey and I’m happy to be here with you, the fans. You guys are the best. You guys really brought this year. You broke records. You turned movies into movements. We heard you all loud and clear, we heard you.”

Matt Winkelmeyer/GA/The Hollywood Reporter/Getty

Jeremy Renner and Ava Berlin Renner attend the Los Angeles premiere of Disney+’s original series “Rennervations” at Regency Village Theatre on April 11, 2023

“Right now I get the privilege of celebrating the most powerful movie performances on screen,” Renner continued. “So, are you ready for the first award of the night?”

Renner announced thatBillie Eilishbeat outQueen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’sAdjoa Andoh,Ayo EdebirifromThe Bear,The Morning Show’sJon Hamm,Matt BomerofFellow Travelers,Only Murders in the Building’sMeryl Streep,Steven YeunfromBeefandStorm ReidofThe Last of Usfor her performance inSwarm.

As Eilish, 22, made her way to the stage to accept her award, Renner stepped back and hugged hisAvengerscostarTom Hiddleston— who gave him a standing ovation earlier — as he headed backstage. Hiddleston, 43, went on to accept thesci-fi/fantasy show of the yearforLoki.

London Entertainment/SplashNews

Jeremy Renner seen at the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams

Renner spent more than two weeks in the hospitalundergoing multiple surgeriesfollowing anear-fatal snow plow accidentthat took place on Jan. 1, 2023, and left him withmore than 30 broken bones.

Renner joked that he “didn’t realize that many people gave a crap about me that much.”“Maybe Hawkeye, they did,” he continued, referring to his Marvel character. “[But] just me as a person, it’s a different thing, you know what I mean?”

Renner marked one year of his ICU release earlier this year witha sentimental Instagram post.

“I was reminded that love, good will, hard work and a legion of good humans are getting me through every day … thank you , bless you,” he wrote on Jan. 16. “And as always, I hold my promise to be better, be stronger, and grow to surpass potential…. Bless you all ❤️🙏🏼❤️”

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The 2024 People’s Choice Awards are airing live on NBC, E! and Peacock.

source: people.com