Alec Baldwin has broken down in tears as he told in his first TV interview about the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on set.
Baldwin, 63, produced the film Rust as well as starred in it, and was full of praise for Hutchins, who he shot and killed on October 21.
'Halyna and I had something profound in common: we both presumed the gun was empty,' he told ABC News's George Stephanopoulos.
Baldwin said he was unaware of Hutchins's work until he was introduced to her by the film's director, Joel Souza.
'I knew nothing about her til Joel said 'I got her',' Baldwin said.
'She was fantastic.'
Alec Baldwin spoke to George Stephanopoulos for an interview that aired on Thursday night
Halyna Hutchins was described by Baldwin as 'fantastic', as he paid tribute to her vision and professionalism
Halyna Hutchins is seen with head electrician on the Rust movie set, Serge Svetnoy
Hutchins' October 19, 2021 Instagram post showed cast members and staffers, including Baldwin alongside Hutchins herself and armorer Gutierrez-Reed (circled left to right) on the set of Rust in Santa Fe, New Mexico
'Her work was beautiful. She was someone who was loved by everyone who worked with her, and liked by everyone who worked with her, and was admired.'
He then broke down into sobs.
Detectives had approved a search warrant to probe Seth Kenney, a 51-year-old Hollywood veteran who was supposed to provide the film with dummy rounds. Kenney also mentored the film's rookie armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, pictured above
Baldwin composed himself, and discussed concerns about the budget, and union complaints.
But he then broke down again talking about the film.
He said he rarely made films any more, as it would entail long periods of time away from his wife Hilaria and their six children. But he agreed to Rust because he loved the script, and was excited about the New Mexico filming.
'This movie made me love making movies again,' he said. 'I really thought we were onto something.'
Baldwin discussed the moments leading up to the shooting.
'It was a marking rehearsal,' he said.
'She's getting me to position the gun - everything is at her direction. I draw the gun, to her marker.
'I'm not shooting to the camera lens, I'm shooting just off. In her direction.
'This was a completely incidental shot, that may not have ended up in the film.'
The set of Rust, at the Bonanza Creek Ranch outside of Santa Fe
'What the f**k just happened?' Baldwin reportedly asked cast and crew members after the shot went off, and Hutchins suddenly stumbled back into head electrician Serge Svetnoy's arms
Baldwin
