Sir Ian McKellen Is 'Pain-Free' After Stage Fall, But Still Dealing with It 'Emotionally'; 'I Felt Ashamed'

Mar. 15, 2025

Sir Ian McKellen attends the premiere of ‘The Critic’ in London in September 2024.Photo:James Manning/PA Images via Getty

James Manning/PA Images via Getty

Sir Ian McKellensays “everything is physically mended” after his June 17 hospitalization following afall off the stage, mid-performance, in London.The actor, 85, was in the midst ofPlayer Kings, a production ofHenry IV, at the Noël Coward theater, when he reportedly lost his footing during a fight scene, which left him witha chipped vertebrae and fractured wrist.But while McKellen toldSky Newsthat he’s “mobile, pain-free and ready to go,” he shared that he’s still “having to deal with it emotionally.““I felt ashamed of myself, I felt I let the audience down and I felt guilty,” McKellen said.Sir Ian McKellen in ‘Player Kings’ in April.Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/GettyMcKellen, who previously said thathe wouldn’t be returning toPlayer Kings,toldSky Newsthat he’s decided to take “a bit of a rest” before returning to work, telling the outlet that “I’m just aware there isn’t much time left and so I’m giving myself three months off instead of six months, I don’t need six months.“The actor previously said that “I avoid going outbecause I’m nervous someone might bump into me, and I’ve been dealing with agonizing pain in my shoulders due to the jolt my body took.”The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!He also shared that the costume he wore on stage may have prevented him from sustaining further injuries, adding “the fat suit I wore for [myPlayer Kingscharacter, Sir John] Falstaff saved my ribs and other joints, so I consider myself lucky.”Sir Ian McKellen in London in April.Dave Benett/GettyWhile he’s taking a break, McKellen — who famously playedMagnetoin theX-Menfranchise andGandalfin theLord of the Ringsseries —  is still promoting his latest film,The Critic, and said that he’s had to repeatedly talk about his injury.“There was such a hoo-ha in the press, it was as if I’d died and I was reading my own obituaries!” he toldSky News. “I must say there were some very nice ones but it wasn’t as bad as it sounded.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories

Sir Ian McKellensays “everything is physically mended” after his June 17 hospitalization following afall off the stage, mid-performance, in London.

The actor, 85, was in the midst ofPlayer Kings, a production ofHenry IV, at the Noël Coward theater, when he reportedly lost his footing during a fight scene, which left him witha chipped vertebrae and fractured wrist.

But while McKellen toldSky Newsthat he’s “mobile, pain-free and ready to go,” he shared that he’s still “having to deal with it emotionally.”

“I felt ashamed of myself, I felt I let the audience down and I felt guilty,” McKellen said.

Sir Ian McKellen in ‘Player Kings’ in April.Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty

Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty

McKellen, who previously said thathe wouldn’t be returning toPlayer Kings,toldSky Newsthat he’s decided to take “a bit of a rest” before returning to work, telling the outlet that “I’m just aware there isn’t much time left and so I’m giving myself three months off instead of six months, I don’t need six months.”

The actor previously said that “I avoid going outbecause I’m nervous someone might bump into me, and I’ve been dealing with agonizing pain in my shoulders due to the jolt my body took.”

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

He also shared that the costume he wore on stage may have prevented him from sustaining further injuries, adding “the fat suit I wore for [myPlayer Kingscharacter, Sir John] Falstaff saved my ribs and other joints, so I consider myself lucky.”

Sir Ian McKellen in London in April.Dave Benett/Getty

Dave Benett/Getty

While he’s taking a break, McKellen — who famously playedMagnetoin theX-Menfranchise andGandalfin theLord of the Ringsseries —  is still promoting his latest film,The Critic, and said that he’s had to repeatedly talk about his injury.

“There was such a hoo-ha in the press, it was as if I’d died and I was reading my own obituaries!” he toldSky News. “I must say there were some very nice ones but it wasn’t as bad as it sounded.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories

source: people.com