Ian McKellen Addresses His Injuries After Falling Off Stage During A Performance

Revered British actor Sir Ian McKellen, known for his iconic portrayals of characters such as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings franchise, has recently detailed the aftermath of a concerning onstage incident. 

The 85-year-old thespian, who fell in a performance of Player Kings at London’s Noël Coward Theatre on June 17, has provided a candid update on his recovery journey.

In a post shared on the social media platform X, McKellen expressed his gratitude to his “many well-wishers” and reassured them that his “wrist and neck” injuries were on the mend. The actor acknowledged the gravity of the situation. “Just two weeks after my accident onstage, I want to assure my many well-wishers that the injuries (to wrist and neck) are on the mend,” he wrote.

However, McKellen’s road to recovery has been challenging. The production has announced that the acclaimed actor will need to take time off to focus on his recuperation, and his understudy, David Semark, will step in to portray Sir John Falstaff for the remainder of the four-week tour throughout the United Kingdom.

Despite the setback, McKellen remained gracious and optimistic and encouraged his fans to attend the performances and experience the “masterful production” of Player Kings. The actor emphasized that “any actor will say that missing a performance feels somewhat shameful, even when he is not to blame.” Yet, he expressed confidence in the ensemble’s ability to deliver a compelling performance in his absence.

In 1988, McKellen came out as gay in response to U.K. legislation that banned local governments and schools from “promoting homosexuality.” Ever since, he has been one of the most prominent and vocal LGBTQ advocates across the globe. In an interview with Variety, McKellen remembered his stark transition after he came out: “Almost overnight, everything in my life changed for the better — my relationships with people and my whole attitude toward acting changed.”