Ian McKellen, 85, Hospitalized After Falling Off London Stage Mid-Performance: Report

The actor was appearing in 'Player Kings' when he lost his footing, the BBC reports

Sir Ian McKellen attends UK launch event for "Beauty And The Beast" on February 23, 2017
Actor Ian McKellen. Photo:

John Phillips/Getty

Actor Ian McKellen was hospitalized on June 17 after falling off stage mid-performance in London, the BBC reports.

The beloved English actor — most popularly known for playing Gandalf in the blockbuster Lord of the Rings film trilogy and Magneto in the X-Men films — fell during a performance of Player Kings, a production of Henry IV, at the Noël Coward theater in London.

The star, 85, was in a fight scene when he lost his footing, reports the BBC, and the audience was subsequently evacuated.

McKellen, who plays the character of John Falstaff in the play, reportedly fell off the front of the stage and cried out in pain as crew members rushed to help, the BBC reports.

A source tells PEOPLE that the actor is “fine” following the scare.

"I really hope that he is going to be all right," audience member Sandro Trapani told the BBC.

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"As far as I saw, he was conscious because he was asking for assistance," Trapani said.

Sir Ian McKellen in The Hobbit
Actor Ian McKellen as Gandalf (left).

Moviestore/Shutterstock ; David M. Benett/Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty

Earlier this month, McKellen — who has been appearing in Player Kings since it kicked off its run in April — said he was open to reprising the role of Gandalf, “If I’m alive" in an interview with The Times of London published June 7.

“But there is no script, there is no offer, there is no plan,” added McKellen.

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