Sir Ian McKellen shared a frank and gently humorous reflection on ageing, mortality and continuing to work at 86, admitting that recent health crises have changed his outlook on life, but not his desire to continue.
In an interview with The timesThe veteran actor has spoken openly about his prospects following a serious fall in June 2024, when he fell off stage during a theater performance in London and was hospitalized with a broken wrist and chipped vertebra.
Looking back on the experience, McKellen said, “I have accepted the fact that I am not immortal. Yet, I still function.”
THE Lord of the Rings The star explained that her thoughts about mortality now come as much from observing others as from her own physical changes.
“In reality, the inevitability of mortality comes not just from how you feel about yourself, but also from the simple fact that your friends die – all the time,” he said.
“When you are young, death is an astonishing, fascinating thing, but it is a characteristic of aging. Death always becomes present.”
After spending three days in the hospital, McKellen did not return to her role in the stage production Kings of Gamblers and later revealed he was suffering from what he described as “excruciating pain”.
On medical advice, he also skipped the premiere of his upcoming film at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. The Christophersexplaining in a pre-recorded message that it was “better safe than sorry”.
But today, McKellen is back to work in a different way.
It currently appears in An ark at the New York Shedan experimental production that uses virtual reality technology.
Although he and his fellow actors are not physically present in the room, the audience sees them through VR headsets.
McKellen said the format seemed like a wise step after his accident.
“I thought it was the safest way to return to work,” he said. The timesjoking that filming allows for breaks that live theater doesn’t. “You can’t stop live theater.”
However, he has since returned to the stage in a limited way and says he is reassured by this experience.
He noted with relief that he still enjoys performing on stage, that it doesn’t bother him, and that he remembers his lines. “Considering my age, everything is fine,” he said.
Reflecting on the deaths of close friends, McKellen said he found some comfort in the way people approach the end of life.
“Regrets? I’ve had a few,” he admitted.
“It’s never satisfying when someone dies, but I’m comforted by the fact that when people I’ve been close to die, they seem ready, even welcoming.”
Despite his thoughts, McKellen made it clear he wasn’t slowing down. “I feel like I still have a lot to do,” he said.
His upcoming projects include The Christophersdirected by Steven Soderbergh and written by Ed Solomon, which arrives in theaters April 10, as well as Ebenezer: A Christmas Carolwhere he opposite Johnny Depp, scheduled for November.
He is also expected to reprise his role as Magneto in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Avengers: Apocalypsescheduled for release in December.
For McKellen, recognizing mortality hasn’t dampened his enthusiasm, rather it seems to have sharpened his appreciation for still being able to do what he loves.
