Ian McKellen explained why his attitude towards life and death has changed. The thought that he will one day be gone came to the actor after one incident.
Britain's beloved Ian McKellen has spoken about death. The 86-year-old actor, known for his role as Gandalf in 'The Lord of the Rings,' has fully realized that life is finite.
The 86-year-old Ian shared how he came to this understanding. In 2024, McKellen fell off the stage at Noël Coward Theatre in the West End — in this production, he played Sir John Falstaff in Shakespeare's 'Henry IV.' The actor sustained serious injuries and reevaluated his views on life — and death. He discussed this in an interview with The Times.
"I have accepted that I am not immortal. Nevertheless, I am still functioning. And in fact, the inevitability of mortality is related not only to how you feel about yourself but also to the simple fact that your friends are dying — constantly," shared 86-year-old Sir Ian.
However, this does not mean that McKellen plans to retire from acting. He continues to perform in the theater. "I remember my lines, so given my age, I think everything is fine," noted Ian.
McKellen became a global star thanks to 'The Lord of the Rings,' where he played one of the main roles — the wizard Gandalf and the leader of the Fellowship of the Ring. He has also appeared in 'X-Men,' 'Doctor Who,' the film 'Rasputin,' where he played Nicholas II, as well as in many other films.
