Sir Ian McKellen says ‘death is ever present’ after fall from West End stage
Sir Ian McKellen opens up about mortality after stage fall
- Sir Ian McKellen has reflected on mortality, stating that "death is ever present" two years after his fall from the stage during a West End performance.
- The 86-year-old actor sustained wrist and neck injuries after losing his footing during a fight scene in the play Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre in June 2024.
- McKellen was forced to withdraw from the production following medical advice, despite hoping to return to the stage.
- He shared that the incident led him to accept his own mortality and feel "shame" for letting down the production, reliving the fall multiple times.
- Despite the accident, McKellen is promoting an experimental VR production and will reprise his role as Gandalf in the upcoming Lord of the Rings film, The Hunt for Gollum.
Bookmark popover
Removed from bookmarks