Sir Ian McKellen, 85, has revealed he is too scared to leave his house after falling off stage during a West End show. Luckily, he was ‘saved’ by his fat suit.
The 85-year-old actor was playing John Falstaff in the production at the Noel Coward Theatre in London’s West End on June 17 when he lost his balance during a fight scene and fell offstage into the audience.
In his first interview since the fall in June, Ian Saga magazine that he had broken his spine and fractured his wrist when he fell off the stage. However, he admitted that his fatsuit had saved him from more serious injuries.
The Lord of The Rings star said he is suffering from “agonizing” pain, which has left him unable to go outside and even… and wonders if he’s “too old to act.”
I, who now wears a neck brace and wrist brace, said, “My broken vertebra and broken wrist have not healed yet.
‘I don’t go outside because I’m afraid someone will bump into me. Also, I have terrible pain in my shoulders because my whole body has been shaken.
Sir Ian McKellen, 85, has revealed he is too scared to leave his house after falling off stage during a show in the West End – but thankfully he was ‘saved’ by his fat suit (pictured on stage)
In his first interview since the June crash, Ian told Saga Magazine he fractured his spine and broke his wrist when he fell off stage – but revealed his fatsuit had saved him from further serious injury
“But I wore a fat suit for Falstaff and that saved my ribs and other joints. So I was really lucky.”
He added: ‘I’ve relived that fall I don’t know how many times. It was horrible.
Speaking about his battle with the fear that he was too old to continue acting, Ian said: ‘I thought it was the end of something. It was very upsetting. The end wasn’t my death. It was my participation in the play.
“I have to keep convincing myself that I’m not too old to act and that it was just a bloody accident. I didn’t pass out, I wasn’t dizzy, but I couldn’t go back and they were still playing without me.”
Sir Ian spent three nights in hospital, suffering injuries to his wrist and neck, which meant he was unable to complete the shows.
Six weeks after the horrific fall, the acting legend was still recovering from his injuries when he arrived at the Theatre Royal wearing a neck brace and wrist support.
Ian kept a brave face as he surprised the cast of Player Kings in Newcastle after pulling out of the show.
Speaking about his battle with the fear that he was too old to continue acting, Ian said: ‘I thought it was the end of something. It was very upsetting. The end wasn’t my death. It was my participation in the play.’
Ian, who now wears a neck brace and wrist brace, said: ‘My chipped vertebra and broken wrist have not healed yet.’
Earlier in the day, the actor announced via Instagram that he would be in the audience at the play in Newcastle.
Sir Ian shared a professional photo of his freshly cut hair, writing: ‘On the day of the 101st and final performance of Player Kings – without me – I celebrated by removing Falstaff’s hair, which had been growing for 9 months.
‘I’ll be in the audience at the matinee performance in Newcastle.’
Earlier this month, Sir Ian shared a health update with his many fans via X, formerly Twitter.
He wrote: ‘Just two weeks after my onstage accident I would like to assure my many well-wishers that the injuries (to my wrist and neck) are healing,’ he wrote. ‘My doctors promise a full recovery – but only if I do not work for the next few weeks.’
“In the meantime, the show goes on and the Player Kings company will begin their four-week tour without me,” Ian continued on X.
“Every actor will tell you that missing a performance feels a little embarrassing, even if it’s not their fault. None of us ever want to let our audience down,” he added.
Sir Ian announced that after three nights in hospital he would receive ‘physiotherapy, gentle exercise and plenty of essential rest at home’.
The actor was appearing in a scene with the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy when he fell from the front of the stage and was heard screaming in pain as staff rushed to his aid.
Last week, Sir Ian took to X, formerly Twitter, to share a health update with his legions of fans
Sir Ian said in his statement: ‘After three nights in hospital, the effects of my fall on stage have been fully assessed and I am now receiving physiotherapy, gentle exercise and much needed rest at home.
‘Meanwhile, my role in Player Kings is being filled by the formidable David Semark, supported by the wonderful production and cast of Robert Icke.
‘I am sure that the many expressions of love and support will contribute to the rapid recovery that my doctors have promised me.’
Player Kings, a production of Henry IV, Parts One and Two, adapted and directed by Robert Icke, ended its run at the Noel Coward Theatre.
The play transferred to the Bristol Hippodrome and was subsequently performed in Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.