British actor Ian McKellen, known for his role as “Gandalf” in “The Lord of the Rings,” was rushed to the hospital after falling during a stage fight scene in a play in London on the 17th.
Ian McKellen, who just turned 85 last month, was starring in the play “Player Kings” in London’s West End on the 17th when the accident occurred during a fight scene. According to the BBC, Ian slipped and fell off the stage in front of the startled audience. Lights were turned on, actors shouted for assistance, and Ian was taken to the hospital. The audience was evacuated from the theater and informed that the evening performance was canceled.
It is currently unclear the extent of Ian’s injuries from the fall to the hospital. A spokesperson for the theater later stated that Ian is in good spirits and undergoing examination scans, with a quick recovery expected. The spokesperson added that to allow Ian to rest properly, all performances of the play next Tuesday have been canceled.
Ian McKellen’s acting career spans over 60 years, with notable roles in films such as “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies as “Gandalf,” the “X-Men” series as “Magneto,” and leading roles in “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Da Vinci Code,” and “Mr. Holmes,” among others.
Just recently on the 8th, Ian expressed his willingness to return as Gandalf in the 2026 film “Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,” with one condition: “if I’m still alive.”
One audience member told the BBC, “I really hope he’s okay. As far as I know, he was conscious because he was seeking help.”