Sandra Bullock Steps Out For First Public Appearance Following The Death Of Bryan Randall
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on October 9, 2024 at 12:45 PM EDT
Sandra Bullock made her first public appearance since the tragic death of her partner, Bryan Randall, as she attended a special screening of "Speed" to celebrate its 30th anniversary on Tuesday, October 8.
The event was part of Beyond Fest at the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles. It took place over a year after Randall's passing at age 57, following a three-year battle with ALS, which he succumbed to in August 2023.
The Oscar winner was joined by her "Speed" costar, Keanu Reeves and director Jan de Bont for a Q&A session onstage, where they reminisced about the filming of the 1994 runaway hit and its intense stunts.
Despite the emotional weight of her recent loss, Sandra Bullock appeared composed throughout the event.
Sandra Bullock Attends 'Speed' Screening, Marking First Public Appearance Since Bryan Randall's Passing
During the Q&A, Bullock lightheartedly remarked to de Bont, “It just dawned on me why you wanted me in the role: because if you killed me, I wasn't a big actress. It would've been 'Actor Dies in Stunt in a Keanu Reeves Movie.'” Her playful banter suggested she was in good spirits despite her recent tragic loss.
This recent appearance was a rare night out for Bullock, who has maintained a low profile since the successful release of "The Lost City" in the summer of 2022 and the death of her partner, Bryan Randall, a year later in August 2023.
Sandra Bullock first crossed paths with Bryan Randall, a model-turned-photographer, during a photoshoot for her son Louis' birthday in 2015. Reflecting on their relationship, the "Miss Congeniality" star shared her views on marriage during a 2021 episode of "Red Table Talk," stating that she didn’t “need a paper to be a devoted partner and devoted mother.”
She emphasized her commitment, saying, “I don't need to be told to weather a storm with a good man.”
Sandra Bullock Reunites With 'Speed' Co-Star Keanu Reeves
The only recent interview Sandra Bullock participated in was a joint discussion with Reeves for journalist Kris Tapley and his "Speed" fan podcast, "50 MPH," celebrating the film's milestone 30th anniversary.
Tapley, credited as the driving force behind the Beyond Fest screening, kicked off the event with a brief introduction, teasing, “I cannot wait for the energy in this room tonight,” after noting the impressive size of the crowd.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, all 516 seats inside the Egyptian Theatre were filled, leaving dozens of fans outside in an overflow line, some of whom had queued in the courtyard for hours hoping to snag a seat. Those fortunate enough to watch the Twentieth Century Fox action film made the most of its 1 hour and 56-minute running time, erupting in boisterous applause no less than half a dozen times after pivotal moments in the movie.
See the photos of Sandra Bullock's first public outing here.
'Speed' Director Jan de Bont Dishes On His Relationship With Sandra Bullock And Keanu Reeves
Even de Bont was impressed by what he witnessed. A few questions into the Q&A, moderated by Jim Hemphill, the filmmaker took a moment to offer his own cheers to his A-list stars.
“I have to say one thing before we continue,” he said. "We met outside just seconds ago when I saw them for the first time in 30 years. When I saw the movie here [tonight], I’ve never been so proud of those two actors. What they did for me — quite often unnatural to them what they had to do — is just unbelievable."
He continued,"The relationship that these two created together is absolutely amazing. Seeing them back on the screen tonight, it was so realistic. They were absolutely perfect. All the emotions were right, all the laughing was right, all the smiling, the little smooching. It was really, really cool. I had to tell them how great they both were.”
Bryan Randall Passes Away
In a statement shared by Randall's family after his death, they said, "Bryan chose early to keep his journey with ALS private, and those of us who cared for him did our best to honor his request."
"At this time we ask for privacy to grieve and to come to terms with the impossibility of saying goodbye to Bryan," the family added at the time.
Sandra Bullock Opens Up About Bryan Randall's Struggles Prior To His Death
During Randall’s struggle with the disease, Bullock shared with CBS News in 2022 that she intended “to be at home” and emphasized that “work in front of the camera needs to take a pause.”
Since the release of her 2022 comedy "The Lost City," she has largely avoided the spotlight, although she has a sequel to "Practical Magic" in the works.
