NEW YORK - The stunt actor who fell nine metres while playing Spider-Man on Broadway is walking again, and his father says he can't wait to return to the role.

Christopher Tierney's father tells The Associated Press that the actor walked Friday for the first time since his fall during Monday's performance of "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark."

Tim Tierney said Christmas morning that his son is spending the holiday with his mother and brother in the hospital while recovering from back surgery.

Tim Tierney says director Julie Taymor came to visit his son in the hospital on Christmas Eve.

"Spider-Man," the most expensive Broadway show ever, had to cancel two preview performances after the fall. It had a scheduled night off on Friday, but the production is scheduled to return to the stage Christmas night.