Sir Ian McKellen, the veteran British actor known for his iconic roles in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and as Gandalf, recently opened up about a terrifying fall he experienced while performing in a play in London.
In an interview with Saga magazine, McKellen revealed that he was still recovering from the fall, which left him with a neck brace and a splint on his right hand. The incident occurred while he was wearing a fat suit to play the character Falstaff in a production of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre.
“I was wearing a fat suit for Falstaff and that saved my ribs and other joints,” McKellen shared with the magazine. “So I’ve had a lucky escape really but… tell Saga readers to watch their step!”
The actor recounted the harrowing experience of the fall, which occurred during a fight scene in the play. He described how his foot got caught in a chair, causing him to slide on newspaper scattered on the stage like a skateboard, ultimately landing in the lap of someone in the front row.
Despite suffering chipped vertebrae and a fractured wrist, McKellen remains in good spirits and is being cared for by friends during his recovery. He expressed gratitude for the support he has received and reflected on the incident, acknowledging that it was a “bloody accident” and not a result of his age.
As he continues to heal, McKellen is focusing on his work as a way to stay positive and keep his mind off the challenges of aging. His resilience and determination to overcome this setback serve as an inspiration to fans and fellow actors alike.
