Actor Ian McKellen, 85, is in 'good spirits' and expected to recover from fall off stage in London
Jun 17, 2024
Veteran actor Ian McKellen is expected to make a full recovery after toppling off a London stage Monday during a fight scene in a play and being hospitalized
LONDON (AP) — Actor Ian McKellen is expected to make a full recovery after he toppled off a London stage during a fight scene and was hospitalized, producers said.
McKellen, 85, was in “good spirits” after doctors said a scan showed he was expected to fully recover from the fall on Monday night, a spokesperson for the production at the Noel Coward Theatre said.
Tuesday's performance was canceled but McKellen was expected to be back onstage Wednesday, producers said.
The stage and screen veteran, who played Gandalf in the
“Lord of the Rings”
films, cried out in pain after the fall, according to a BBC journalist at the theater.McKellen was playing the roguish John Falstaff in “Player Kings,” an adaptation of William Shakespeare's two “Henry IV” history plays, directed by Robert Icke.
Theatergoers were startled when McKellen lost his footing and fell off the stage in a scene with Toheeb Jimoh's Prince Hal and Henry Percy, played by Samuel Edward-Cook.
“Sir Ian seemed to trip as he moved downstage to take a more active part in the scene,” audience member Paul Critchley told the PA news agency, saying it was a shock. “He picked up momentum as he moved downstage which resulted in him falling off the stage directly in front of the audience.”
Staff and two doctors in the audience helped the actor, the theater said in a statement.
The theater was evacuated and the performance was canceled.
McKellen played Magneto in the “X-Men” films and is one of Britain's most acclaimed Shakespearean actors, with roles including Richard III, Macbeth and King Lear.
He has won a Tony Award — for “Amadeus” — several Olivier Awards, and has been nominated for two Academy Awards, five Emmys and several BAFTA awards.
More News
‘The Bachelor’ Alum Peter Weber Engaged to Pregnant Girlfriend Jadeyn Carr
Pilot Peter Weber is getting married! On Wednesday evening (November 11), the 35-year-old Bachelor alum announced that he recently popped […] The post ‘The Bachelor’ Alum Peter Weber Engaged to Pregnant Girlfriend Jadeyn Carr appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.
DWTS’ Gleb Savchenko and OnlyFans Model Kaitlin Trujillo Break Up
Gleb Savchenko and Kaitlin Trujillo have had their last dance. The Dancing With the Stars pro confirmed his breakup with the OnlyFans model after nearly one year of dating. "I’m single," Savchenko...
Lionsgate Acquires Alma Har’el’s ‘Wet’ Starring Connor Storrie, Rebecca Ferguson, Odessa A’zion and More
Lionsgate has acquired the North America and UK distribution rights to “Wet,” director Alma Har’el’s latest film, from Fifth Season and 193, A Legendary Company. “Wet” features an all-star cast, which includes Connor Storrie, Rebecca Ferguson, Odessa A’Zion, Javier Bardem, Rosalia and Lukas Haas. Production is set to begin in 2027, while further details surrounding […]
‘Hard Art’ Asks Hard Questions About Daring to Be Abstract
MoMA PS1 brings together more than 40 Black artists in a search for their historical and artistic ties.
Anthony Clark, Comedian & ‘Yes, Dear’ Star, Dies at 62
Anthony Clark has sadly passed away. The stand-up comedian, who later became the star of the CBS sitcom Yes, Dear, […] The post Anthony Clark, Comedian & ‘Yes, Dear’ Star, Dies at 62 appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.
Keanu Reeves’ ‘Constantine 2’ Gets ‘Renewed Hope’ After James Gunn’s DC Exit, Says Director: ‘People at DC Were an Impediment to Us’
Following the news that James Gunn and Peter Safran are out as co-studio heads at DC, “Constantine” director Francis Lawrence is feeling a “renewed hope” about his long-awaited sequel to the “Hellblazer”-inspired 2005 action-horror. “Not that I want anybody to lose their jobs, so this is not like a schadenfreude kind of thing, but I […]
Can You Match The UBER Popular Movie To The US State It Takes Place In?
Which state does "Twilight" take place in? View Entire Post ›
Frankie Muniz Released from Hospital After Crash at Daytona Speedway, Speaks Out in New Statement
Frankie Muniz is speaking out after his crash. While practicing for a race on Wednesday (November 11), the 40-year-old Malcolm […] The post Frankie Muniz Released from Hospital After Crash at Daytona Speedway, Speaks Out in New Statement appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.
‘The Lowdown’ Season 2 Episode 6 Recap: The Last Ride
Lee takes a road trip with his father and learns they might have more in common than he thinks.
The 16 Can't-Miss Holiday Gifts for Your Beauty Obsessed BFF
Your beauty-obsessed BFF probably has a closet (or two) filled with the best products on the market. From skincare and makeup to fragrance, she has probably tried everything out there at least...
Lionsgate Acquires Alma Har’el’s ‘Wet’ Starring Connor Storrie, Rebecca Ferguson, Odessa A’zion, Rosalía & Lukas Haas
EXCLUSIVE: Lionsgate has acquired North America and UK distribution rights to Wet, an audacious new film from award-winning writer-director Alma Har’el (Honey Boy, Lady in the Lake), from Fifth Season and 193, a Legendary Company. The film is set to star Heated Rivalry’s Connor Storrie, Dune and Silo star Rebecca Ferguson, Marty Supreme’s Odessa A’zion, […]
Frankie Muniz Speaks Out After Crash at Daytona International Speedway
Frankie Muniz's health is getting back on track. After being hospitalized Nov. 11 due to a driving accident in preparation for the Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic, the Malcom in the Middle...