Miles Teller car accident: SNL host survived crash that flipped vehicle eight times

Miles Teller, 38, hosts Saturday Night Live on November 2, 2025, with musical guest Brandi Carlile. The Top Gun: Maverick star previously hosted SNL in 2022. Teller appears on the show to promote his new film Eternity, which also stars Elizabeth Olsen. Miles Teller survived a severe car accident at age 20 that occurred between his sophomore and junior years of college.

Speaking in an interview with Peter Travers for ABC News' Popcorn With Peter Travers nearly a decade ago, Teller described the incident. "My buddy lost control of my car going 80 mph," he said. "We flipped eight times. I got ejected out the window. The car landed and I was just laying like 50 feet from the car, unconscious, covered in blood”.

“My buddy thought I was dead." Teller sustained permanent facial scars from the car accident. "I got scars on my face. I still have two rocks in my face," Miles revealed, explaining that doctors had told him removing the gravel would cause further scarring.


Also read: SNL 51 pregame: Miles Teller and Brandi Carlile's previous Saturday Night Live appearances reviewed

The actor underwent painful laser treatments for three or four years to reduce the scarring on his face. The visible scars initially affected his ability to secure acting roles during early auditions.

Early acting career impacted by accident scars

Miles Teller's facial scars from the car accident created obstacles during his early acting career. "When I first started auditioning, people were straight up just like, 'Yeah, Miles is a good actor, [but it] doesn't make sense for this character to have scars. They [the scars] used to be really bad," Teller revealed.

The situation changed when Teller met Rabbit Hole director John Cameron Mitchell, who reportedly told Miles: "I love it. It tells a secret."

Teller landed roles involving car accidents

Following the director's acceptance of his scars, Miles Teller went on to secure several roles involving car accidents. The actor appeared in Whiplash and The Spectacular Now, both of which featured automotive crash scenes.

Teller's career trajectory shifted as directors and casting agents became more accepting of his facial scars, leading to his emergence as a major Hollywood actor over the past decade.

SNL appearance promotes new film Eternity

Miles Teller's Saturday Night Live hosting appearance serves to promote Eternity, his upcoming film with Elizabeth Olsen. The November 2 episode marks Teller's second time hosting the long-running NBC sketch comedy series, having previously appeared in 2022.

Musical guest Brandi Carlile joins Teller for the episode, marking her fourth appearance as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live. The show continues its Season 51 run with upcoming hosts Nikki Glaser on November 9 and Glen Powell on November 15.