Ian McKellen Says “I’ve Still Got More to Do” After Health Scare

At 86, Ian McKellen is opening up about aging, mortality and his return to work after a serious stage fall last year.

In a candid interview with The Times, the legendary actor reflected on life since his June 2024 accident, when he fell off the stage during a London performance of Player Kings. The fall left him with a fractured wrist and chipped vertebra, requiring a three-day hospital stay.

“I have accepted that I’m not immortal,” McKellen said. “Yet I still function.”

The Oscar nominee for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring explained that aging has made him more aware of death. “Really the inevitability of mortality comes not just from what you are feeling about yourself, but the simple fact that your friends die — all the time,” he shared. “When you are young, death is astonishing… but it’s a feature of getting older. Death becomes ever present.”

Recovery After His Stage Fall

Following the accident, McKellen did not return to Player Kings and later revealed he was coping with “agonizing pain.” He also skipped the 2025 premiere of his film The Christophers at the Toronto International Film Festival on the advice of his doctors.

“Better safe than sorry,” he said at the time in a pre-recorded video message.

Now, McKellen has found a new way to safely return to performing. He is currently appearing in An Ark at The Shed in New York City. The experimental production uses virtual reality glasses, allowing McKellen and his co-stars to appear before the audience without physically being in the room.

“I thought that was the safest way of getting back to work,” he told The Times. “Because if something goes wrong… you can just stop while filming. You can’t stop live theatre.”

Despite his health scare, McKellen says he still loves being on stage. “I can still remember lines and so, considering my age, all is well,” he added.

Looking Ahead: New Movies in 2025

McKellen is far from slowing down. The Christophers, directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Ed Solomon, hits theaters April 10. The film also stars Michaela Coel, James Corden and Jessica Gunning.

He will also appear alongside Johnny Depp in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, arriving in theaters Nov. 13.

Marvel fans can also expect to see him reprise his iconic role as Magneto in Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release Dec. 18. McKellen famously played the character in the X-Men films, beginning with X-Men.

“I’ve Still Got More to Do”

Even as he reflects on loss and mortality, McKellen says he feels he is not finished yet.

Recalling a friend who recently died peacefully, he said, “It’s never satisfactory when someone dies, but I take comfort that when the people I’ve been close to are dying, they seem ready.”

At 86, the celebrated actor remains thoughtful about life — but determined to keep working.

“I’ve still got more to do,” he said.