25 Years Later: The Full Story Of How Fabio Was Hit In The Face By A Goose On A Roller Coaster

The image is unforgettable: the world's most famous male supermodel, Fabio Lanzoni, descending from a brand-new roller coaster with blood streaming down his face after a mid-air collision with a goose. This bizarre incident, which occurred on March 30, 1999, remains one of the most sensational and widely reported celebrity mishaps in history, cementing the Italian-American star's place in pop culture lore far beyond the covers of romance novels. As of , the story continues to generate curiosity, especially with recent updates and Fabio's own shifting account of what truly happened.

The event took place during the inaugural ride of the Apollo's Chariot roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia, an ill-fated promotional stunt that turned into a global headline. While the initial reports claimed a direct strike from a 10-pound goose, the aftermath and modern analysis have added layers of complexity, including the supermodel's retrospective claim that the media coverage was an early example of "fake news."

Fabio Lanzoni: A Complete Biography and Profile

Fabio Lanzoni, known mononymously as Fabio, is an Italian-American actor, fashion model, and spokesman whose career defined an era of popular culture. Born on March 15, 1959, in Milan, Italy, his striking physique, flowing blonde hair, and chiseled features made him an icon.

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• Full Name: Fabio Lanzoni
• Date of Birth: March 15, 1959
• Place of Birth: Milan, Italy
• Nationality: Italian-American
• Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
• Primary Career: Fashion Model, Actor, Spokesman
• Signature Achievement: Appeared on the cover of over 3,000 romance novels, becoming the definitive "romance novel cover model."
• Notable Endorsements: Spokesman for *I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!* (1994–2013) and Old Spice.
• Film/TV Appearances: Roles in films such as *Acapulco H.E.A.T.*, *Zoolander*, and various reality television appearances.
• Military Service: Served in the Italian Army in his youth.
• Personal Life: Known for maintaining a private life and his passion for fitness and motorcycling. He has never married.

The Infamous Incident: Apollo's Chariot and the Goose Strike

The collision occurred on March 30, 1999, during a media event to launch the new hypercoaster, Apollo's Chariot, at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Fabio, at the height of his fame as the face of *I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!*, was the celebrity guest of honor chosen to take the inaugural ride.

The accident happened at a crucial moment of the ride. As the coaster reached speeds near 73 mph, a Canadian goose, reportedly weighing about 10 pounds, flew directly into the path of the lead car. The impact was violent and direct.

Witnesses and initial reports described the goose hitting Fabio's face, specifically his nose, with tremendous force. The supermodel was rushed to a local hospital where he received stitches for a laceration across the bridge of his nose. The injury, though bloody and shocking, was ultimately not serious, and he was released shortly after. The goose, unfortunately, was killed instantly by the force of the impact.

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The resulting photographs of a bloodied Fabio, still strapped into the roller coaster, were instantly iconic and circulated globally. Headlines screamed: "Fabio Hit By a Goose!" and "Fabio Kills Bird With His Face." The bizarre nature of the event—a Greek God-like male supermodel being struck by a fowl on a high-speed amusement park ride—made it a permanent fixture in celebrity history.

Fabio’s Shifting Account and the "Fake News" Claim

For over two decades, the narrative remained simple: Fabio was hit in the face by a goose. However, in recent years, the celebrity has offered a slightly different version of events, adding a fascinating twist to the story and touching on the modern concept of media sensationalism.

The Debris Theory

In a 2018 interview, Fabio claimed that the goose did not hit his face directly. Instead, he suggested that the goose struck a video camera mounted on the front of the roller coaster. According to this account, it was a piece of debris from the impact—either a camera component or a part of the bird—that slashed the bridge of his nose, causing the visible laceration and bleeding.

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He has consistently maintained that the injury was far less severe than the media portrayed, stating that it "looked more horrific than what it was."

The Beginning of "Fake News"

Perhaps the most significant recent update is Fabio's retrospective commentary on the media frenzy. He has publicly stated that the sensationalized coverage of the goose strike incident was, in his opinion, "the beginning of 'fake news.'" He argues that the immediate, global rush to report the most dramatic version of the story—a direct, violent strike—overshadowed the more mundane truth, creating a manufactured spectacle.

This claim aligns with the modern understanding of how media narratives can be exaggerated for impact, making the 1999 incident a curious case study in early viral celebrity news.

The Ongoing Investigation: Physics, Proof, and Pop Culture

The enduring curiosity surrounding the incident has led to a fascinating modern development. In May 2024, a team of creators, including the YouTube channel The Slow Mo Guys, Adam Savage (of *MythBusters* fame), and Bobby Fingers, began an investigation into the physics of the goose strike.

Their goal is to definitively analyze whether a goose could have physically struck Fabio's face given the coaster's speed and trajectory, or if the debris theory holds up. This collaborative effort highlights how the story has transcended a mere celebrity anecdote to become a subject of scientific and historical inquiry.

The incident continues to be a major topical authority point for the supermodel. Despite his extensive career—appearing on over 3,000 romance novel covers, his long-running endorsement of *I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!*, and his work with Old Spice—the goose strike remains the single most recognizable moment of his public life. It is a testament to the power of a bizarre, dramatic, and well-photographed celebrity moment to eclipse a lifetime of professional achievement.

Today, Fabio Lanzoni is still active, promoting fitness, healthy living, and occasionally commenting on his iconic career. The goose incident, however, ensures his legacy is forever intertwined with the thrill of a roller coaster, the flight of a bird, and the birth of a media phenomenon.