Sir Ian McKellen, 86, says ‘I’ve had to accept that I’m not immortal… death is ever present’ two years after his horror stage fall

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Two years after a frightening fall on stage, Sir Ian McKellen has shared his thoughts, acknowledging that the incident reminded him he isn’t invincible.

In 2024, the 86-year-old actor fell from the stage at the Noel Coward theatre while performing as Sir John Falstaff in Shakespeare’s Henry IV. The fall resulted in a chipped vertebra and a broken wrist.

He explained that his recent hardship helped him come to terms with his own mortality. While acknowledging he’s not invincible, he’s still able to live his life. He emphasized that the reality of death isn’t just about personal feelings; it’s also about witnessing the loss of friends, which happens frequently.

As we grow older, our understanding of death changes. When we’re young, it seems distant and even intriguing, but with age, it becomes a more constant and unavoidable part of life.

Sir Ian is joining Golda Rosheuvel from Bridgerton and two other actors in a new, experimental virtual reality production called An Ark at the Shed.

With mixed reality glasses, it feels like the actors are performing right in front of you, speaking and interacting as if they’re there with you.

This show offers a uniquely personal and moving theatrical experience, inviting the audience to reflect on life, loss, and human connection.

Approaching his 90th birthday, Sir Ian explained that he believed this project was the best way for him to return to work after a serious fall.

He explained to The Times that filming allows for breaks if you’re not feeling well – you can pause and ask for a moment – but live theater doesn’t offer the same flexibility. If you’re struggling physically or emotionally, you can’t simply stop a live performance.

Oh my gosh, Sir Ian said he still loves being on stage! Can you believe it? He actually said he can still remember all his lines, and honestly, considering how amazing he is and how long he’s been performing, that just makes everything perfect. It’s just… everything is well, as he put it, and it makes me so happy to hear him say it!

The actor, playing Sir John Falstaff, had to stop performing after a shocking fall injured him, leaving fans stunned.

He later admitted feeling both ashamed and deeply emotional about disappointing West End theatergoers, and the experience made him realize he doesn’t have much time left.

Sir Ian recently told The Mirror that filming isn’t as physically demanding or risky as performing in a play. He said that, looking back, he now understands theater—and live performances in general—can be much more dangerous.

Looking back, if I’d been younger, I probably would have reacted – maybe stood up or moved to try and prevent what happened. I just felt a sense of finality, like it was all over.

That performance marked the end of my time with the show. I fell forward into the audience, landing on someone in the front row. Luckily, the person’s lap and the padding I was wearing cushioned the fall, so I wasn’t seriously hurt, though I initially thought I was in real trouble.

Despite approaching his ninth decade, Sir Ian vowed ‘not to slow down’ amid his health woes.

Last November, he announced his intention to return to the role of Gandalf in a future project, stating he had no plans to retire.

The famous actor confirmed he will play Gandalf again in the next Lord of the Rings movie.

He announced he’s coming back to the role he first played in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy – The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King – which was released between 2001 and 2003.

A new Lord of the Rings movie, currently called ‘The Hunt for Gollum,’ is planned to come out on December 17, 2027. Filming is expected to begin in New Zealand in May 2026.

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2026-02-15 13:04