Alec Baldwin wept in court on Friday as a judge unexpectedly dismissed a case against him for manslaughter on the set of Rust.
The case was brought to an abrupt close in New Mexico after the judge, Mary Marlowe Sommer, accused the state of withholding evidence.
Mr Baldwin was accused of the accidental death of a cinematographer, after a prop gun he was using discharged a live round on set.
He had been told the gun was “cold” and safe to use, but was accused of brandishing it dangerously during rehearsal.
“There is no way for the court to right this wrong,” said Judge Sommer, accusing the state of bringing undisclosed evidence to the trial when it had already begun.
Luke Nikas, Mr Baldwin’s lawyer, said prosecutors had “buried it”.
Mr Baldwin’s life and livelihood has been under threat for three years after the death of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer. He faced 18 months in prison if convicted.