EntertainmentWill SmithGrand Canyonphobias

Actor Will Smith Bungee Jumps From Helicopter Over Grand Canyon

The "Men in Black" star did the jump to celebrate his 50th birthday -- and his defeat of a long-held fear.
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By 

Senior Reporter, HuffPost

Will Smith was a little jumpy during his 50th birthday celebration Tuesday.

The film star decided to celebrate the big 5-0 by bungee jumping from a helicopter over the Grand Canyon.

The jump was billed as a leap “in the heart of the Grand Canyon,” but The Associated Press pointed out it actually took place over a smaller gorge belonging to the Navajo Nation, a tribe whose reservation borders the east rim of the national park.

The jump was live-streamed on YouTube. Smith said the decision to jump above the Grand Canyon relates to a family trip in 1976.

Smith said he was the only one in the family who was terrified to walk up to the edge of the canyon.

“I was scared to take in the beauty,” he lamented.

Smith said that, since that moment, he’s tried to confront his fears head on, which is why he returned to the Grand Canyon to do his helicopter bungee jump. 

Smith hyped his leap with nearly an hour’s worth of interviews with family and friends. There were also pre-taped segments with psychologists and physicists discussing the jump and the nature of fear.

As you can see in the clip below, Smith survived the jump and conquered his fear of heights.

However, he has no plans to confront at least one of his other fears. Smith said he is still afraid of mice and has no plan to face them head on.

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Before You Go

Terrifying Places to go Bungee Jumping
The Nevis- Queenstown, New Zealand(01 of05)
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Located 134m above the Nevis River is the highest bungee in New Zealand – The Nevis. It’s terrifying right from the start. Start your journey in a van up a narrow, scenic mountain road. Then make your way to the AJ Hackett Bungee New Zealand Jump spot, strap up, and enjoy an 8.5 second free fall into a canyon.Photo Credit: Facebook/ AJ Hackett Bungy QueenstownClick Here to See Terrifying Places to go Bungee Jumping
The Verzasca Dam- Ticino, Switzerland(02 of05)
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Also called the 007 jump or Golden Eye Bungee Jump, this plunge will have your adrenaline soaring. The Verzasca Dam is the highest dam in Europe and the free fall is approximately 7.5 seconds long. Fun Fact: Some scenes from the James Bond film “Goldeneye” were filmed there – it is known as “the best stunt in film history.”Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Audrix&action=edit&redlink=1
Bloukrans Bridge, South Africa(03 of05)
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Bloukrans Bridge is located in Western Cape, South Africa and stands 708 ft. above the Bloukrans River. It’s the site of the world’s highest bungee jump. The oldest man to ever complete this jump was 96 years old. If he can do it, so can you!Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons/ CC BY 3.0Click Here to See Terrifying Places to go Bungee Jumping
Macau Tower- Macau, China(04 of05)
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Get ready for the leap of your life. This bungee jump is 764 feet high. It made the Guinness World Record for the Highest Commercial Bungy Jump in the world. Jumpers leap from a platform above the ground and experience the ultimate free fall before being sprung back up. If you are really up for adventure, Night Bungy is available. Click here for more information.Photo Credit: Facebook/ Macau Tower
Rio Grande Bridge, New Mexico(05 of05)
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Located in Taos, New Mexico is the Rio Grande Bridge, or the “Gorge Bridge.” It’s approximately 565 feet above the Rio Grande, making it the highest jump in the United States and one of the highest in the world. Jumpers say, it is expensive but worth it. The scenery is incredible. Click Here to See Terrifying Places to go Bungee JumpingPhoto Credit: Thinkstock
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