Ian McKellen, 85, reportedly taken to hospital after accident during show

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Ian McKellen was reportedly hospitalized on Monday, June 17 following a fall from the stage during a live performance in London, according to BBC.

The alleged incident occurred during a staging of Player Kings, a production of Henry IV at the Noël Coward Theatre, according to the outlet. McKellen, 85, was engaged in a fight scene when he lost his footing, leading to his fall. The audience was quickly evacuated as the actor cried out in pain, and crew members rushed to assist him.

An eyewitness and audience member, Sandro Trapani, shared his concern with the outlet, saying, “I really hope that he is going to be all right… As far as I saw, he was conscious because he was asking for assistance.”

McKellen, who portrays John Falstaff in the play, has been a central figure in the production since its debut in April. Despite his extensive career, he recently expressed a willingness to return to his iconic role as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings franchise, provided he is still in good health. In an interview with The Times of London on June 7, he stated, “If I’m alive,” while also noting, “But there is no script, there is no offer, there is no plan.”

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time the X-Men actor had to cancel a performance. Five years ago, McKellen had to cancel a performance of King Lear at London’s Duke of York Theatre due to a leg injury he sustained while running to catch a train. Despite the setback, he made sure the audience still had an enjoyable experience by sitting on stage and answering their questions.