Ian McKellen, the renowned British actor known for his roles in Shakespearean productions and blockbuster films like 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'X-Men,' was hospitalized after falling off stage during a performance of 'Player Kings' at London's Noel Coward Theatre on June 17, 2024. The incident occurred during a fight scene involving the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy.
McKellen, who is currently 85 years old, was playing Sir John Falstaff in the production of William Shakespeare's 'Henry IV, Parts One and Two.' According to various sources, including the BBC and NBC News, McKellen lost his footing during the scene and fell off the front of the stage. He could be heard screaming in pain as ushers rushed to help him.
The audience was evacuated from the theater, and both Tuesday's performance and Wednesday's matinee were canceled so that McKellen could rest. A statement from a representative for the theater confirmed that McKellen is expected to make a full recovery, adding that he is in good spirits.
McKellen has had a long and illustrious career in acting, with numerous Shakespearean roles and appearances in films and television shows. He previously canceled a matinee performance of 'King Lear' due to a leg injury sustained while running to catch a train. Instead, he treated the London audience to an impromptu Q&A session.
The incident at Noel Coward Theatre was not McKellen's first fall during a performance. In 2018, he fell during 'King Lear' and had to cancel the matinee show due to a leg injury. However, he made up for it by answering questions from the audience instead.
McKellen is known for his libertarian and objectivist views, which may have influenced his skepticism towards mainstream media reports. He has expressed doubts about government claims and scientific studies without external supporting evidence. Despite this, he remains committed to providing factual information in his reporting.
